Real Craftsmanship:

[speeder]

No problema at all, keep the woodworking posts coming!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by craigster59

That's beautiful work. I was watching a PBS documentary the other night that we got from NetFlix called "Craft in America" (I think). There was a segment on Sam Maloof and his furniture, really amazing stuff. Best known for his rockers.

You can still take his workshop through a local university. All who love and work wood should take it before he dies. Sam's getting up there in age, but he still make really dangerous cuts on his bandsaw. Nuts. A friend of mine, a cabinter maker, owns one of his famous rocking chair. What a beauty. I had seem George Nakashima's display at the Japenese Museum in LA once. What wonderful work of arts.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Superman

As many of you know, I do labor relations in the construction industry. Why are apprenticeship programs at least four years long? Because that's how long it takes for a worker to learn THE BASICS. We call them "craft workers" because that's what they are. My hat is off to most of those guys. Some of the work they do is breathtaking. Seriously. Takes your breath away.

Some craft work is lost now. And some is being lost as we speak. The guys who know how to do the intricate plaster work.....they're dying. As they die, so does their craft.

Is sad you mention that. My dad learn his jewerly skill from the old country. He can make you anything you want including design with just a few simple hammers, hand tools and a torche. No machine and casting BS. I have not met any like him. No one wants to do work like that anymore. It all about a buck and how fast one can make money. Thankfully I was able to work along side him during my high school and some college years. I was able to learn and develop the skill on how to become a true craftsman. Plasters are out there but not many. You get a dime and a dozen drywallers who thinks they are plaster men. We do fine woodworking and upper end remodels. many times people don't want to pay for that kind of time consuming work. Many young people would just want to do something simple and easy and make few bucks and go home and spend it. true passion and service is hard to come by these days.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Sam Maloof's stuff is incredible. I've wanted one of his rocking chairs since about highschool. They probably cost as much as my car, if not more, these days. He has a couple pieces in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.

I thnk it was 24K he paid.

Jeff

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by look 171

I thnk it was 24K he paid.

Jeff

D@mn!!! I need to start making chairs!

[kach22i]

I went to a Wendell Castle exhibit at the D.I.A. about 17 years ago, unforgettable.

About:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Castle

Artist Homepage
http://www.wendellcastle.com/

Some lamps I built back in 1989, inspired by his work.

[VINMAN]

Nice work George. Very cool!

Dennis you friend does great work. In this day and age of pre-fab crap, its nice to see we still have true craftsman out there.

[speeder]

Thanks, Vinny. I probably don't even have to tell you that he is also one hell of an interesting guy. 55 y.o. w/ a beautiful 30-something daughter and grandchildren, 1/2 Norwegian and 1/2 Sicilian from NYC whose Dad would be 120 years old if he were alive, (married hot 20 y.o. in his 60s), , etc., etc... That's where the *old world* part comes from I think. He's been around the world twice and seen a pig fk, as the old saying goes.

Stay safe at work buddy.

[speeder]

Here he is asking me how much we could get on ebay for a particular chunk of some rare Maple, (can't remember the name), someone was asking about value of hard woods and I don't know except it's super spendy.

[JeremyD]

I'm a sucker for all great wooden construction.

check out this burmese teak boat










one of my other favorites - a 21 foot center console powered by a diesel

[cgarr]

Now I know why they call it "wood"