Woodworking was something very dear to my Grandfather’s heart many years ago, and he would lovingly make a variety of pieces for family and friends. So it rather amuses my family that in recent years I’ve taken to making a few creations myself, just without all the heavy varnish that he tended to use back in those days.
It all started when I spotted an interesting looking bench whilst up in the Lake District in Cumbria. I thought it was really unusual and my wife said: “You could make one of those.” I snapped a couple of pictures and thought no more of it.
A few months later, I thought well why not. I found a few odd bits of 2x2in and set about making a prototype. Bingo, my simple design worked so I dropped into my local wood supplier (Surrey Timbers), and bought myself a few pieces of oak. The bench was so comfortable that I made two more to give away.
What happened next was rather unexpected. My good lady wife said she wanted to give me a woodworking course for Christmas but it was up to me to find the course I wanted to do. I started the search and ended up with Paul Sellers; as you do. Well, what a wealth of information I learned from him so quickly. From what tools I needed, to how to sharpen them and then to his projects, all beautifully set out in easy-to-follow videos.
I’ve now made six of his projects and working on a seventh, some of them multiple times including the wine rack which has been a lovely and unique gift for family and friends.
It’s been a real lifesaver to have taken up this hobby, especially during the long months of Lockdown. I wouldn’t classify myself as a fine craftsman and its certainly not about trying to sell anything or make money: “Stick to the day job”, everyone says. But it’s about having something to focus on that isn’t work or home. It’s about being creative, having my own space and the satisfaction of turning a flat piece of wood into something useful and occasionally even attractive using no more than hand tools and a little effort.
I’ve learnt about making shellac from flakes, had a go at French polishing, done lots of bending and laminating, learnt how to use a router and I now know how important knife walls are for accurate joints. I’ve made a seat cushion and kitted out a small workshop from an old potting shed. All in all, I’ve had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The rocking chair was hard work mind you. It gave me tennis elbow for a few months as it took so much hand sawing, and I can’t deny that the 50 odd m&t joints were a labour of love. But I pinch myself every now and then that in just a few short months I’ve moved from a 2x2 prototype bench to a solid oak rocking chair and loads more with nothing more than a few Paul Sellers videos, and I’ve still got all my fingers which is a surprise to everyone including me.
Justin is the only friend I know who turned Covid into wood! I had no idea what was lurking under the hood of this well seasoned City of London veteran. Armed now with another set of skills I’m reminded that when he started part of me was surprised that he had it in him to turn a piece of wood into something vaguely suggesting a functional object but he has, not only that but as you can see how complex some of his projects have become. The stick chair for example..let me remind you that Justin uses hand tools. No electronic disturbances for the Zen master!
It seems this man of patience and review is perfectly suited to wood work…