Project Information
Story: Everyone who teaches takes pride in what their pupils learn. Derrick, who is now in his twenties, is my star apprentice. He has been coming to the shop every Wednesday evening for the past 5 years. He is no longer my apprentice…he is my colleague. The boxes shown here are some Derrick presented at an opening in a local gallery last month. With his permission, I am sharing his work with you. If the art of woodworking is going to survive, older people who have developed skills will have to pass on those skills to younger people who want to learn to be woodworkers. So, fellow Lumber Jocks, who could you teach your skills to?
Wood: Most of the wood used in Derrick's boxes pictured here came from trees that were blown down by the 90 mph tailwinds of Hurricane Ike. These winds swept through our area of the country and blew down thousands of trees. The Black Cherry used in the first box top was from a tree that grew in a neighbor's yard and the American Walnut for the sides grew on a nearby farm. The second box shown has a White Oak top and Black Mimba sides.
Techniques: Derrick has developed his own style. The second picture is a shot of his corner spline technique. The 1/8 inch spline slots were cut with a Forrest #1 Grind blade. This grind on their blade gives a flat-bottomed cut. Note his finger lift style. This is done with an ogee bit and a stop for each end of the box.
Critique: As you can see, Derrick has a keen eye for beauty in wood and loves the crazy grain that grows around knots. Many of his works feature boards that most woodworkers would throw away as too rough and knotted to use, but he sees the beauty in them and features these "flaws" in this tops and sides.
As always both Derrick and I thank you for looking and a special thanks to those who have taken time to add comments and make suggestions.
Wood: Most of the wood used in Derrick's boxes pictured here came from trees that were blown down by the 90 mph tailwinds of Hurricane Ike. These winds swept through our area of the country and blew down thousands of trees. The Black Cherry used in the first box top was from a tree that grew in a neighbor's yard and the American Walnut for the sides grew on a nearby farm. The second box shown has a White Oak top and Black Mimba sides.
Techniques: Derrick has developed his own style. The second picture is a shot of his corner spline technique. The 1/8 inch spline slots were cut with a Forrest #1 Grind blade. This grind on their blade gives a flat-bottomed cut. Note his finger lift style. This is done with an ogee bit and a stop for each end of the box.
Critique: As you can see, Derrick has a keen eye for beauty in wood and loves the crazy grain that grows around knots. Many of his works feature boards that most woodworkers would throw away as too rough and knotted to use, but he sees the beauty in them and features these "flaws" in this tops and sides.
As always both Derrick and I thank you for looking and a special thanks to those who have taken time to add comments and make suggestions.