One reason I decided to take up making furniture professionally was that I figured that I would never get bored with it. After 22 years I find that this is still true. I used to always want to be making something different but I find that I do enjoy routine such as making sets of chairs. During the more routine work, I listen to Public Radio, books on tape or even put on a DVD as long as it is high on dialogue and not subtitled. That being said, it is good to be challenged once in a while. A few times a year I get custom orders that keep me thinking. The radio is off and the calculator is out figuring and refiguring dimensions to make sure that everything fits. This latest job is a Hunt Table or Irish Wake Table and will be headed to Ireland when I finish it up. This table has a few challenges. The oval shape, matching the wood across the wide table surface, keeping it flat and true, the rule joint for the large leaves, and designing the double gate-leg hinge mechanism that will support the leaves and close cleanly to the under-structure of the table. I love the graceful shape of the table top. So far that is as far as I have gotten.
HEy Tim,
I’m currently working on a 9 foot long harvest table with rule joints for the leaves. These are the longest ones I’ve made so far. I always find them a little nerve racking.
let me know if you go to Ireland to deliver the table! Hopefully its not for a wake.
I would love to plan on going. Maybe at some point in the future. We are off to Thailand for 2 plus weeks next month to adopt a little girl. That is making life a bit crazy right now. Gotta get that table done and delivered before I go.