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.