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Taster Weekend
Friday, 3rd December 2010 15:13 PM
The three course members started with an introduction to one of the basic tools of woodwork, the hand plane. We had a session where we made as many shavings a possible, just to get a feel for the tool. We then planed our wood up square and dimensioned it for width and thickness. We then sawed it in half, aiming to get the cut as square as possible, not as easy as it looks!. After a few more practice cuts we were impoving. Finally we cut a notch out of the end of one of the pieces and pared the end grain with a chisel.
All this was just practice for the main exercise of the weekend which was to make a set of three nested triangular trivets in various timbers. When running a new course there is always a little anxiety about whether I have pitched it at the right level and would the timetable work. I am pleased to say I think I hit the mark this time. The bridle joints at the corners of the trivets were challenging enough for woodworking novices, the shoulders were ngled and offset to allow for the rebate, but I was impressed with the quality of the work produced. On the outer trivet the joints were cut by hand while on the others we used the router table. We would have completed the set of three but unfortunately the snow set in on Sunday afternoon and we had to pack up an hour early.
The three participants were able work with a variety of tools which will help them to decide which tools to purchase if they decide to take the craft further. The tools were also well sharpened and fettled so they were able to experiece the joy of using a really sharp tool and understand the importance of sharpness. I enjoyed teaching the course and I believe the participants enjoyed the making experience.
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Some of the trivets sets made on the Taster Weekend.
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The trivets are nested, these ones are in oak, maple and cherry
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The largest trivet has hand cut bridle joints at the corners, tricky as the shoulders are both offset and angled.
Comments…Add yours
Posted by Martin Hawke on 12/12/10
I can't speak for the others, but I can confirm that at least one of the participants enjoyed the course!
I reckon you pitched it right - it was challenging enough to feel a sense of achievement, but without being too full on to scare us off. Plenty of tools have now made it onto my Xmas list.
Thanks again for the course, I really enjoyed it despite getting stranded in Harrogate by the snow!
Martin
Posted by Chris Tribe on 13/12/10
Hi Martin
I'm glad you enjoyed the course and sorry you got stuck in Harrogate. It did occur to me after we left the workshop that I should have offered to put you up for the night. But I did not realise it was quite as bad as that!
I hope you enjoy your woodwork.
Chris