Balance

 Structure ~ design, solid wood ~ movement, 

machines ~ hand tools, light touch ~ solid hit with a hammer. 

These are balance issues for a craftsman.

 I have a cross structure to put together that will accept the legs and tenons, these pieces will keep the top flat and solid. Using slotted attachments I can allow the top to do its seasonal movement across grain. Pursuing the perfect joint, I use a balance of machines and hand tools, I'll prep the tight fit and then make a slight adjustment with the hand palne, a more sensitive feel, checking it as I go. Trust your hands and muscles, even the type of wood can adjust the fit. 

If machined properly the joint needs only to be pared a little and hit with the plane a pass or two to get it right. I wont put it together all the way right now, that would loosen the joint, I'll wait until after all joints are cut and final sanding. Its the smooth and tight joint sound and feel that I want during the final glue up. That's it, good.

Top chef

                            These parts have a subtle curve to them, I get to use my antique compass plane for this, the thing is more than 100 years old, bears a pattent date that matches my birth day and month, after setting it to the radius I want, this thing gets the curves fare, then I use the stanley #4 for the flat surfaces. Bench work is like prep cooking, you get the parts ready and fit to be glued. This is where I can make some adjustments, I can see each part now, add a taper, put things together and look, add a sweep at the end of the curve. I find the right board, align the wood grain to the shape and use the material to enhance the design.

                             Here is the top glued up with a diamond shape to be cut later, I need the flat edges to help my clamps, I really like the grain of this wood, it has swirls and curles, and is matched throughout. I know in the begining that the wood grains add such an important aspect to the balance and look of the final piece, seeing ahead, to the end, it should look really nice when I put finish on, it will really come alive.

Small table in walnut

                  This table will fit into an angled window seat, a great place for coffee and breakfast.