Domino joints for chairs?

[Benchwayze]

I believe I have all his GW articles. I subscribed to the magazine from day one, until some time after JB passed on. All the copies are in the loft and for the moment that's where they will stay.

I enjoyed them, even though I couldn't say I was quite the 'Luddite', but yes, they should be put into book-form.

John

 

[big soft moose]

wow - i didn't expect all those answers

I've got two young kids and the missus doesn't like me spending too much time in the shed so what little time I do get to do some joinery I have to be as productive as possible. I reckon the domino will enable me to get more done in as short sessions.

Seems pretty unanimous that the domino will be okay for chairs

Jack

I like you and respect your views Mike, but I do find a lot of this 'Arts and Crafts' philosophy a load of pretentious bollocks.

spot on

 

[MikeG.]

I like you and respect your views Mike, but I do find a lot of this 'Arts and Crafts' philosophy a load of pretentious bollocks.

I like and respect you to, Brad, and can happily acknowledge our differences. All I will say about this is that whilst I am architecturally interested in the arts and crafts movement, I actually have no idea whatsoever what their philosophy was. My views aren't a re-hashing of the views of others, because until I joined the GWW forum 18 months ago I had never ever had a conversation with another woodworker, nor read a single word written on woodworking.

Woodworking....I just did it. I disappeared into my shed and worked it out for myself. No philosophy. So, disagree with me now if you will, but you are wrong if you suggest that I am part of any group or way of thinking. It's just me.

Mike

 

[Benchwayze]

I like you and respect your views Mike, but I do find a lot of this 'Arts and Crafts' philosophy a load of pretentious bollocks.

I like and respect you to, Brad, and can happily acknowledge our differences. All I will say about this is that whilst I am architecturally interested in the arts and crafts movement, I actually have no idea whatsoever what their philosophy was. My views aren't a re-hashing of the views of others, because until I joined the GWW forum 18 months ago I had never ever had a conversation with another woodworker, nor read a single word written on woodworking.

Woodworking....I just did it. I disappeared into my shed and worked it out for myself. No philosophy. So, disagree with me now if you will, but you are wrong if you suggest that I am part of any group or way of thinking. It's just me.

Mike

Having read a few more opinions on this, my cynicism leads me to suspect their philosophy was making as much money from the latest craze as they could... Much as a good many artists do today.

At the same time, that doesn't stop me liking the style, and wanting to make something after it.

John

 

[Steve Maskery]

Actually John, I believe the opposite is true. I thought that the A&C movement was a backlash against the industrialization of the woodworking craft as a result of the Industrial Revolution and the mechanisation of a lot of tasks (chair-making as a good example) which the Victorians had used to create a lot of cheap furniture in order to make as much money as possible. Decline of "quality" was the result, so Barnsley and chums went back to the old ways.

I'm no ww historian, but that is my understanding.

S

 

[Benchwayze]

Yes Steve, that isn't without foundation. However, the virtual absence of this kind of furniture in the homes of the local 'rustics', led me to suspect they designed mainly for the more well-heeled.

The idea of them being 'rebels' probably endeared them to certain sections of society. Without real experience of the age in which they lived, it's difficult to pin it down, but seeking patronage would make economic sense for any one in their position.

So, even today genuine examples of their furniture are beyond the reach of most people, and as I said it's a case of 'Make it myself!'

John

 

[jhwbigley]

Actually John, I believe the opposite is true. I thought that the A&C movement was a backlash against the industrialization of the woodworking craft as a result of the Industrial Revolution and the mechanisation of a lot of tasks (chair-making as a good example) which the Victorians had used to create a lot of cheap furniture in order to make as much money as possible. Decline of "quality" was the result, so Barnsley and chums went back to the old ways.

I'm no ww historian, but that is my understanding.

S

The philosophy of it is something i've been reading into, very interesting.

now we are supposed to be in a state of post post modernism. :roll:

JHB

 

[Benchwayze]

A book of their life and work is being considerd for my birthday pressie next month. I haven't chosen which book yet!

But thanks for that pic JB... At least I know what tool to use to form those deep, country-style chamfers, like wot are on that big, bow-topped chest that Sydney made.

Regards.
John

 

[MikeG.]

We musn't run away with the thought that Arts & Crafts was mainly about furniture. It was an architectural and interior design movement, with the classic examples being houses such as William Morris' Red House, where everything, but everything, including the cutlery, was specially designed and crafted.

Imagine suggesting to someone today that they have individual door knobs made especially for them!

Mike

 

[Steve Maskery]

Imagine suggesting to someone today that they have individual door knobs made especially for them!

Mike

Now that's what I call a Client.

Yum-yum!
S

 

[jhwbigley]

We musn't run away with the thought that Arts & Crafts was mainly about furniture. It was an architectural and interior design movement, with the classic examples being houses such as William Morris' Red House, where everything, but everything, including the cutlery, was specially designed and crafted.

Imagine suggesting to someone today that they have individual door knobs made especially for them!

Mike

yes it was very much a total design movement.

i'm starting to enjoy all this reading i'm having to do on design history.


That reminds me, got to make some new handles for my draw knife!

JHB

 

[Benchwayze]

I was scanning (repeat scanning, as in glancing!) at an article yesteday about such a house, somewhere in Surrey. I have never been to the particular place, but I had an eerie feeling that I knew the house intimately!

I can't recall the name of it, but it too was A&C from the chimney pots to the foundations. Think it had 44 bedrooms! I must look it up again, but I am scared of nightmares about the icy feelings I got! Honest!
Sounds daft I know.

John

 

[BradNaylor]

I only made the 'Arts and Crafts' reference because what little I know of their philosophy regarding traditional artisanship resonated with what Mike was saying.

I wasn't suggesting that Mike was part of the Arts and Crafts movement. He seems to be very much his own man and has evidently arrived at a similar viewpoint by himself.

I admire him very much for sticking to his guns even though I don't agree with him on this.

Brad

 

[Chems]

Very mixed response which to be honest is expected really as know if I was making a really really nice piece of furniture that I wanted to be super proud of for ever I wouldn't use the domino as I'd feel I'd cheated a little.

But it comes to why you do woodworking, for 98% of us its a hobby so I do it for the enjoyment, can't explain it but seeing those cute little dominos so perfectly formed and everything aligning just as I dreamed it would when I first started woodworking gives me a lot of enjoyment. I've done my fair share of M&T and more often than not I get really disappointed as I've spent hours chopping them for them not to align up as I'd hoped or been as tight. But with the domino I enjoy the process just as much its still fun to machine and I get perfect results everytime.

 

[woodbloke]

I was scanning (repeat scanning, as in glancing!) at an article yesteday about such a house, somewhere in Surrey. I have never been to the particular place, but I had an eerie feeling that I knew the house intimately!

I can't recall the name of it, but it too was A&C from the chimney pots to the foundations. Think it had 44 bedrooms! I must look it up again, but I am scared of nightmares about the icy feelings I got! Honest!
Sounds daft I know.

John

Possibly the Red House? - Rob

 

[wizer]

That's literally 2mins in the car from me and I've never been. Must get round to it this year.

 

[Benchwayze]

It's in East Grinstead. It's called Standen or Sanden, and it has 21 bedrooms, not 44 Sorry chaps!
It's in the Jan issue of F&C.
Of course I now know that East Grinstead is in Sussex (According to my memory!) They change so many things these days. I used to live in Warwickshire but now they call it West Midlands. Huh!


John

 

[sometimewoodworker]

It's in East Grinstead. It's called Standen or Sanden, and it has 21 bedrooms, not 44 Sorry chaps!
It's in the Jan issue of F&C.

John

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-standen.htm

 

[Benchwayze]

It's in East Grinstead. It's called Standen or Sanden, and it has 21 bedrooms, not 44 Sorry chaps!
It's in the Jan issue of F&C.

John

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-standen.htm

And a blessed companion is a tour guide.... :wink:

Thanks Jerome.

Obliged
John