This carving is in Butternut, approximately 3 feet tall and about 12” wide. I was asked to carve it for someone who was no longer able to continue to carve. It was a facinating project, the first time I had done anything like it. I found the butternut wood to be a little tough to go cross grain but other than that it finished up well. The important part is the working through the project and enjoyment that it brought the individual.

This csrving was a surprise from beginning to end. Now I live a very low key life and am not a church goer. One day a crazy thought came over me and I decided to carve a religous figure. I had a very straight and clear cut off piece of pine with no place to rest. It was like a blank sheet of paper to a writer, no sketch no nothing to start with. Just started carving and this is where the chisels took me. I was flabbergasted. A father in law of my daughter loved it and so that’s where it hangs. I still get a surprise everytime I see it. Maybe I shouldn’t have posted it, but here it is anyway.

The finish used wad pure Tung Oil.

These nesting tables had broken legs and water damage. I had to make a total of 5 new legs to match and 4 supports and then get rid of water stains on the tops. I’m still looking for some pictures of the “before” as they are on one of my chips (I’ll have to learn to treat them better). All the pieces are walnut and hyde glue was the principal glue used ( actually it is called Old Original available at Lee Valley in Canada). The leg turning was the most difficult as I don’t have a duplicator on my Lathe so it was measure 6 or 7 times and prey.

I just finished this chess table for my grandson who is 13 and has a great interest in chess. The board itself has inlaid 2 ” squares of dark walnut & figured maple veneer glued onto a stable base. There is a 1/4” walnut veneer trim around the whole board. Being frugal, I milled some old well figured spruce to make the frame and used a walnut stain. The inside of the drawers have partitions for individual pieces and are finished with black flocking. The finish used was wipe on poly and then a wax application. My grandson will be picking it up on the coming weekend so we’ll see what he has to say.

I came upon this interesting piece of tree branch and went looking to see what image it was hiding. This was my first effort at tree carving and I think I found a self portrait of my time in the far north of northern Manitoba, Canada. The second carving, Old man in the forest, is not my work but is my inspiration to be more successful. This piece was brought to me by my son-in-law & daughter after their trip to Germany. I am in awe of the carving ability and insite as to what was hiding in the root.

I used this project as a teaching tool when I run some beginners router seminars. Since the classes were always “hands on” it was a really fun session. Everyone was able to bring their own choice of wood and did their own final finishing at home.

This was a truly fun and testing challenge. An owner of a local paint store had this broken down chair. It had 3 legs, no seat, the front was missing as was most of the appliques but there was an outline to follow. Some of the side rails were intact. Thankfully, all the wheels were there. He said it was very old and was chucking it out.

I suggested that I remake (restore) it and he could use it to display his finishes. It now sits in the entrance to his home. I traced the heritage back to pre 1920.

Spindles, pine boards, piano hinge and a bandsaw. Pretty straight forward work but truly great space saver for boots & shoes around the front entrance. Aproximately 48” X 20’(seat hight) X 14” deep.

This chest was the result of my friend asking me to make a large chest for their son & future daughter-in-law’s wedding. My mind went blank at first (normal for me) and then I thought of solid walnut with an inlay of birdseye maple which is enscribed appropriatly (carved). All joinery, lid, box and skirt, are dovetailed using a leigh D4 jig as it allows me the most flexibility of spacing groups of dovetails and also has no limitations as to length of stock. The chest is 42” X 19” X 21”.

Rather than sitting on your legs when meditating, this seat fits over the legs and has a comfortable angle to the seat.

desk set for my son-in-law. Made from cut off pieces that just seemed too good & interesting to throw out.

carved from mahogany. It is 24 ” X 11” overall, wall mounted. Pure tung oil rubbed finish.

I enjoy turning pens however I need more knowledge as to gluing up different coloured woods. For example, I would like to make a barber pole design using figured maple and a red wood yet to be determined (probably padauk).