The nature of “fine woodworking” can transcend size, as the skills and exactness required are often the same, regardless of whether the project is a small cabinet or a house. Perhaps the size of the tools change, but making wood fit together and stay that way rely on similar principles. We’ll be taking a look at projects at both ends of this size range in our next two meetings, with Japanese Kumiko coming in May and a large driveway gate this month.
Jiří Vršek recently moved to the Pittsburgh area from Oregon, joined the WPW, and shortly thereafter offered to do a program for us on the large-scale work often referred to as “timber framing.” When a commission for a large wooden Craftsman-style driveway gate came along, Jiří and Alex Botkin, our club’s audiovisual and library guru, devised a plan for Jiří to self-record video of his work on all aspects of the gate.
Alex was then tasked with editing down about 24 hours of video during 20 days of construction into an 80-minute program (some of it sped up at 2 and 5 times the regular speed) that Jiří could use to present his project for the April 11th meeting this Saturday. As we watch the video, Jiří will provide a live voice-over to describe what is being shown, answer questions, and provide commentary on the intricacies of this type of work which is expected to last for generations in the harsh elements. If you thought chopping mortises for a cabinet door was challenging, wait until you see the size of the mortises necessary for this gate! Please join us for some inspiration for your summer project…
