Thread: Fine Woodworking - what is it?

Originally Posted by derekcohen

This thread began with a quote of mine - not quite in the context of what I meant, but enough to stimulate discussion. I subsequently added the context in which it was originally made.

To add a different perspective ..

"Fine Woodworking" is synonymous to me with "heirloom" quality work. This may embrace many styles of (say) furniture, but that the design is considered a excellent example of its type, with high quality construction and finish (not restricting the methods), such that it ends up as a piece that is something destined to outlive us all.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I think that brings in a dimension that is necessary. Time is needed to separate style from the merely fashionable. What seems to look good today might not look as good tomorrow once it's separated from its immediate period.
Cheers,
Jim

Its time to start a new topic.

Fine pen turning - what is it?

Originally Posted by derekcohen

This thread began with a quote of mine - not quite in the context of what I meant, but enough to stimulate discussion. I subsequently added the context in which it was originally made.

To add a different perspective ..

"Fine Woodworking" is synonymous to me with "heirloom" quality work. This may embrace many styles of (say) furniture, but that the design is considered a excellent example of its type, with high quality construction and finish (not restricting the methods), such that it ends up as a piece that is something destined to outlive us all.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Define "heirloom quality". I know someone whose grandfather, in his dotage, stuck a section of parquet flooring onto a piece of plywood, tacked some Vic Ash beading around the edges and attached four of those screw-in black tapered legs to the underside. Now so far, that is proving to be an heirloom, but it ain't fine woodworking!

I laugh every time I read about someone creating an heirloom piece of furniture. It isn't for the creator to determine if the thing will ever become an heirloom. I may make what I think is a reasonable piece of furniture that will stand the test of time and leave it to my son or daughter, but if they dislike it and leave it out on the nature strip, the accession doesn't go any further!

HEIRLOOM.
What a load of drivel.

I recently passed on an original wooden box, which came to this state with the first free settlers.
One of those people was my Great?? grandmother.

The box apparently was her equivalent of a traveling trunk.

Looked like junk.

But it was an honest piece of work, and certainly had heirloom status, as I now believe there were only 5, first free settler families in Tas.

Be proud of what you do.

No one else should judge you, by any standard.

I recently, viewed a man who made bush
furniture. Mainly with a draw knife and spoke shave, plus an auger and bit.

His pieces will last forever if people really want to keep them.

Paul.

Originally Posted by derek cohen

This thread began with a quote of mine - not quite in the context of what I meant, but enough to stimulate discussion. I subsequently added the context in which it was originally made.

To add a different perspective ..

"Fine Woodworking" is synonymous to me with "heirloom" quality work. This may embrace many styles of (say) furniture, but that the design is considered a excellent example of its type, with high quality construction and finish (not restricting the methods), such that it ends up as a piece that is something destined to outlive us all.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I can't help but to think how confusing this statement is in its explanation of "What is Fine Woodworking". Many Fine Woodworkers do not set out to create the next centuries "Antiques" nor are many of "all though very well constructed to last for centuries" by no means classed as Fine Woodworking. Generally pieces that are say of a gallery standard and have a price to match the high level of workmanship and not forgetting made by someone with the reputation as a Fine Woodworker are held in the esteem of and category of so called Fine Woodwork.
The trick question here is if you ask this same question to a Fine Woodworker he or she would struggle to answer.


Regards,


Frank..

Fine woodworking is when you've done a nice set of Dovetails and you can't use them as a whistle

Cheers Oddjob1

Originally Posted by HOOKED.UP

HEIRLOOM.
What a load of drivel.

I recently passed on an original wooden box, which came to this state with the first free settlers.
One of those people was my Great?? grandmother.

The box apparently was her equivalent of a traveling trunk.

Looked like junk.

But it was an honest piece of work, and certainly had heirloom status, as I now believe there were only 5, first free settler families in Tas.

Be proud of what you do.

No one else should judge you, by any standard.

I recently, viewed a man who made bush
furniture. Mainly with a draw knife and spoke shave, plus an auger and bit.

His pieces will last forever if people really want to keep them.

Paul.

Hey Paul, don't hang back there mate, tell us how you really feel ..

I cannot identify with what you write. No one says "don't be proud of what you built". So how do you define "fine woodworking" and differentiate it from "woodworking" or "honest woodworking"? Why does the magaine Fine Woodworking call itself that? Why not "Good Honest Woodworking"?

Regards from Perth

Derek

The whole argument is riddled with semantic problems. I know the use of the term 'heirloom' has been cheapened in the main to cover everything from longstitch to painting by numbers but I assumed Derek meant items that hopefully will stand the test of time in that they will give pleasure as well as utility to future users. (oops perhaps I shouldn't have used the word utility).
Anyway, doubtless Derek will stand up for himself.
Cheers,
Jim

ps he has.

WW, earlier you wrote ..

To me, in its present context, fine woodworking is the sort of work that appears on the front cover of the magazine Fine Woodworking. It all appears to be made from Formica, heavily Photoshopped or entirely computer generated.

I think the term reflects the current zenith of woodworking, whether or not it appeals to the masses. It's a fashion label.

I prefer the fine woodworking of a few centuries ago.

So how would you classify the "fine woodworking of a few centuries ago"?

And that it survives into the present, does that not qualify as "heirloom" (as I defined above)?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by jimbur

... the term 'heirloom' ... I assumed Derek meant items that hopefully will stand the test of time in that they will give pleasure as well as utility to future users. ...

Thank you Jim. And, yes, I believe that you understood my meaning ... and like us all are struggling to find a succinct way of defining it.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derek cohen

Thank you Jim. And, yes, I believe that you understood my meaning ... and like us all are struggling to find a succinct way of defining it.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Yes you could have a piece of Fine Woodwork that has been made an heirloom but what does heirloom have to do with Fine Woodworking?

I have a very clear definition and will look forward to how much more confusing this thread can get.

Regards,


Frank.

Originally Posted by Wongo

Its time to start a new topic.

Fine pen turning - what is it?

Now, that would be a very short thread indeed

Originally Posted by Blue-deviled

Now, that would be a very short thread indeed

you mean nothing short of an obsession