| Project by Boxguy | posted 385 days ago | 1004 views | 3 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
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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.
-- Big Al in IN
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9 comments so far
patron
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12047 posts in 1506 days
#1 posted 385 days ago
excelent work derrick !
and a great help you give here al
without some kind and knowing help
many of our youth
are being lost to the confusing world
of todays rush
when i started almost 50 years ago
i tried everything to learn woodworking
but was rejected repeatedly
as i had no training
finally winding up in a fed. prison
i fought my way to the wood shop
and was taught the skills and tools
that i still use today
i have helped many over the years
to learn this craft
and found that we don’t lose anything in helping others
but just enhance the world around us
and give some joy
here is my first work when i got out of prison
at age 24 i have never looked back
thanks for introducing us
and welcome both of you to LJ’s
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
grizzman
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#2 posted 384 days ago
how wonderful it is to find someone who wants to learn the art and trade, he did a masterful job and i love how they turned out, the wild cherry is a favorite, they can have such beautiful color…welcome to the world of wood work derrick..will look forward to seeing his work here..
-- GRIZZMAN ...[''''']
Roger
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9191 posts in 969 days
#3 posted 384 days ago
You are, no doubt, a gr8 teacher, as is Derrick, a gr8 learner. Very nice. Derrick will have a large box-building future.
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
SuburbanDon
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#4 posted 384 days ago
Exceptionally nice.
-- --- It's the little tools that get you ---
Martyroc
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#5 posted 384 days ago
Beautiful boxes! Derrick can see the beauty of a knot or flaw like I do, I think it gives the piece more character. You my friend are a great teacher.
-- Martin ....always count the number of fingers you have before, and after using the saw.
itsmic
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1423 posts in 1283 days
#6 posted 384 days ago
Great Box, Fine work Derrick, and Thanks Big Al for being there, You will find that You have lots of company here that value Your insight and tasteful style, Great job, thanks for sharing
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
woodworm
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#7 posted 384 days ago
That’s really beautiful work.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
doncutlip
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#8 posted 384 days ago
Excellent work, lots of character, beautiful splines
-- Don, Royersford, PA
gfadvm
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#9 posted 384 days ago
I too am a big fan of knots, sapwood, bark inclusions, and other ‘defects’. Great job on these Derrick and good on you Al for mentoring. I wish I could find someone in my area to mentor as it is something that I enjoy doing.
-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm
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