Review by Mark Gezella – August 2005

This month I had the chance to look over a couple of items that I'd like to tell you about.  The first is a book that was donated relatively recently.  The second is a DVD offered by Bill and Julie Newberry as part of their presentation at the last meeting.  It's a mix of both old and new, but I found each to be quite interesting.

The book is entitled "The Pine Furniture of Early New England", authored by Russell H. Kettell.  I'm not sure exactly how old our copy is, but it was originally published in 1929 and republished again in 1949.  The last copyright is from 1956.  Our version is in great shape considering how old it probably is.

There is a forward in the book by a Mr. Edwin J. Hipkiss, who is (or was) a curator with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.  While I can't say I ever recall hearing of Mr. Hipkiss, I feel as though he wrote the forward exclusively for me.  His words struck a chord as he described how "modern research" had discovered a correlation between health and exercise of mind, hand, and eye.  Not only that, but a basic joy of preparation and intention of menial tasks can be wonderful for one's spirit.  I bet I'm not alone with that approach to our hobby, eh?!

This is a picture-book of sorts (though all illustrations are referred to as "plates").  It is sectioned by furniture group, and includes items you would expect along with others you might not.  Each section begins with anywhere from one to four pages of text that describes the plates that follow.  Each plate has a brief description accompanying it as well.  The book leads off with three smaller sections about material (all pine, of course), construction, and common hardware.  Once these are dismissed, sections illustrate Wall Boxes, Chests, Stools & Benches, Stands & Tables, Desks, Shelves & Cupboards, Finish, Signs & Weathervanes, Mirrors, and finally Lights.

As with last month's article, I decided I'd mention a couple of sections from the book rather than muse over each of them.  Since this first  subject dates to a much early period, I thought it interesting to focus on items that are now much less commonplace than they once were.  Wall Boxes are pretty much unheard of these days, but can still offer a practical alternative to larger case work, especially when used in smaller areas, such as a mud room or porch.  Signs & Weathervanes are pretty much relegated to farms and flea markets now, though "back in the day" they were employed for tasks such as location identification, determining weather patterns, and even the occasional deterrent to animal activity!  The section on Lights is not what you would expect in this era of technology either; it deals strictly with candle holders and two-part stands that enabled one to raise or lower the luminary for appropriate use.  While most of these items are utilitarian and unadorned, there are some that surprise;  ratcheting or spiraling stands for lighting, tables with elegant turned legs, sideboards with elaborately carved fluting, etc.  While very pleasing to the eye, these examples double as a segue into the next part of this article...

The next item up for description is a DVD distributed by our presenters last month.  It provides a demonstration of the Legacy Ornamental Mill by Andy Anderson of Legacy Woodworking Machinery.  For those of you in attendance at the last meeting, this DVD offers an excellent extension of the presentation as it relates to the machine and the versatility it offers.

Fives run wild in this part of the article!  To start, there are five primary products offered by the manufacturer, all centered around mechanized ornamental milling.  I'm not sure which version of the mill is employed by the Newberry's, but I'm sure it's something very close to what is demonstrated in the DVD.  The presenter emphasizes this machine is all about precise control, much akin to what you would expect to find in a machine shop.  He touts five distinct product features;

1)  Safety - stock doesn't whip as it might in a lathe, and there's no need to fuss over a loss of balance either.
2)  Simplicity - two basic parts; the mill and your router (though I think simplicity is a relative term here!)
3)  Efficiency - after setup, you cut with a router as quickly as you can turn a crank.
4)  Accuracy - profiles are consistently cut using router bits.
5)  Versatility - end results are as varied as the operators that use them.

The mill is capable of cranking out incredible works of art by employing five specific types of operations;

1)  XYZ coordinate milling - applies standard dimensional cutting
2)  Contours - attach a template and virtually any profile can be applied to dimensional or flat stock

3)  Tapers - an articulated bed enables the operator to vary diameters and/or thickness of stock
4)  Indexing - used extensively for reeding and fluting
5)  Spirals - a series of gear drives enable the machine to produce spirals, ropes, and "pineapple" moldings

While these machines are not for everyone (they range in price from just under $400 to almost $5,000), I thought it was interesting to hear how the Newberry's use it, and the DVD was fun to watch.  I'm always a captive audience when it comes to watching someone create something, almost anything!

So, this month we have a mix of old and new.  The book is old, but still has something to offer.  The DVD and machine it features are a new, innovative approach to turning and/or carving.  Though it may be out of reach for the average hobbyist woodworker, it's thrilling to see an entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in this great country of ours.  So if you get time, take a look at either of these.  They are currently available for check-out in the Guild library.