| Project by KDL | posted 192 days ago | 198 views | 1 time favorited | 9 comments |  |
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So I was thinking about how I got started with woodworking, just puttering in my parent’s garage, and how sad it was that I didn’t have pictures of all those kiddie projects. And then I remembered this:
I built this stool in sixth-grade shop class. Sixth graders weren’t allowed to use power tools, so it’s all handwork (such as it is). I picked the project; the teacher picked the board from his closet. At the time, I didn’t know what it meant to be handed a few board feet of 1” thick S4S quartersawn cherry—I was just annoyed that one side had a bullnose and the other didn’t. Anyway, I built the stool and got a C (not that I’m bitter). Now, almost 30 years later, it’s still in use and still as solid as, well, 1” cherry.
It wasn’t until high school shop that I learned to machine rough lumber. I made a chess board, which came out very well (I got an A). Unfortunately, the school was short on clamps, and someone in a later class unclamped my project so they could clamp theirs. The joints never did quite hold and the board separated from its frame almost immediately and warped. Go fig.
Anyway, it’s not much to look at, but it’s proof of what thick, straight-grained, hardwood will do with just a few screws and glue.
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9 comments so far
bigb
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5 posts in 192 days
posted 192 days ago
thanks for the story& the pic of a 30 yr old project,,fun!
-- Turn & turn somemore
Tomcat1066
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556 posts in 230 days
posted 192 days ago
Great story for a nice stool! Thanks for sharing both :)
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
Scott Bryan
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8398 posts in 256 days
posted 192 days ago
I really like the stories behind the projects almost as well as the projects themselves. You should treasure this since it represents the beginning of your woodworking journey. It is something you can pass on to your children, along with other more sophisticated projects as well.
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
cajunpen
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5352 posts in 500 days
posted 192 days ago
Well, I think you should request an “upgrade” on that C that you got for the stool. I figure that after 30 years of use – it deserves an A.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Dominic Vanacora
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366 posts in 304 days
posted 192 days ago
I’m giving you a “A” for having a stool …...that’s been used…... and still looking good….NO better than the day you made. As I have said in the past the seed of woodworking was planted 30 years ago. Is it not a shame that many woodworking classes have been dropped. Why….. not enought money…..or what are they going to use this skill for. What ever the reason, don’t forget about your grandchildern. Plant that seed of interest and some day they to will enjoy a hobby that will last them a life time.
-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida
Gustav
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26 posts in 222 days
posted 192 days ago
Now that is classic piece, I find it simply beautiful. I can see your great great grandchildren bragging to anyone who will listen how you hand made it. I know it will be cherished by your family for a long long time to come, good work.
Better the rudest work that tells a story or records a fact, than the richest without meaning.
John Ruskin
-- I can build us one.
clieb91
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290 posts in 369 days
posted 191 days ago
Good Story and an even better stool. My father has the Chess Board I made him in Jr. High Shop class, it has a few issues, hoping to replace it some time in the not to distant future.
As vocational school graduate I to find it upsetting that so many schools are closing down their shop classes. I am so glad there are people like those in this community that are keeping this craft alive and passing it on.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."
rikkor
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7015 posts in 309 days
posted 191 days ago
Great stool that clearly has stood the test of time.
-- Maplewood, MN
MsDebbieP
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11437 posts in 595 days
posted 189 days ago
isn’t it interesting how a single action can have such a long-lasting affect on someone’s life. Still remembering that “C” (not that you are bitter)... and the removed clamp (you didn’t say whether you were bitter about that).
But now…..... look at this beautiful stool. Does it have your name and the date on it?
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)