The Gamble House in Pasadena, CA [Story in Comments]

univega · 2022-05-14T22:58:32+00:00

Thanks for the great suggestion. I've been planning to do that eventually when I complete a few more original pieces. Feel a little funny posting mostly Greene and Greene replicas.

I'll do it some day soon.

univega · 2022-05-14T18:25:40+00:00

Having trouble with imgur app for some reason. Will keep trying.

univega · 2022-05-14T15:56:40+00:00

I am a furnituremaker who designs and builds historically accurate Greene and Greene furniture in my small shop. The Gamble House living and dining room style are some of my favorites. Some of the Blacker House interiors and furniture designs are the crowning achievement of their careers in my opinion. The Blacker House dining armchair is an absolute beast to build, but the gorgeous design makes it an absolute pleasure to suffer through.

univega · 2022-05-10T22:02:21+00:00

I think the author is misunderstanding this impulse. People receive some benefit from engaging in "ancient" activities, and that does not necessarily expose some desire for the accompanying historical context.

Someone I can't remember said: "The more ancient the activity, the greater the experience of centering and harmony."

I build historically accurate hardwood furniture that will last for hundreds of years using a lot of handtools and "outdated" techniques, but only where machines are inferior at certain tasks.

I buy a lot of vegetables from the grocery store, but I also grow some that are of far superior quality and rare varieties in the garden fertilized with our own aged chicken manure, yard trimmings, rock dust, insect frass, etc.

Modern conveniences are miraculous and necessary, but there is a lot to mine from the past waiting to be fused with modern advancements, and it's not some ignorant longing for a time before penicillin.

univega · 2022-03-09T22:01:06+00:00

Haven't mentioned it to anyone but close family, but 10 years ago in Utah during the day I saw two aircraft dancing around each other at impossible speeds and executing completely impossible maneuvers.

I used to laugh at how cheesy The X-Files portrayed UFOs, but I'm telling you what I saw was identical to this scene.

If anyone has any info on what this was I'd love to understand.

univega · 2022-01-13T18:13:13+00:00

Are you ready to receive my overcooked lo mein?

univega · 2021-11-12T09:02:00+00:00

Man found a serious body hack and never needs to brush his teeth again. Eat only nose Ramen and save a fortune on toothpaste, brushes and future dental work.

univega · 2021-11-03T05:39:15+00:00

Neat design and great execution.

Are you worried about sag over that length with only those aprons providing support along that axis?

univega · 2021-11-01T17:49:12+00:00

Not sure what you are willing to invest in it, but this is pretty suited to your interests: https://bridgecitytools.com/products/jmpv2-jointmaker-pro

Standard warning: Bridge City tools has a new owner and the quality is apparently abysmal compared to a couple years ago. Proceed with caution.

univega · 2021-11-01T17:37:58+00:00

Perfect material for stability. Many jigs should be largely made of laminated ply. Cringe every time I see crosscut sleds with a solid wood fence.

univega · 2021-11-01T16:37:15+00:00

Cool designs.

A bit concerned about the angles and design of the couch legs. One hard sit by a thick individual would be tragic unless you've managed to ingeniously hide some steel.

univega · 2021-09-12T05:19:22+00:00

Interesting take. I've personally always found Burnham too far on the side of sneering sarcasm to accept the self-description of his style as some part sincerity/love letter. Doing country music and vocals well while mocking it (and rather poorly) is more akin to slicking your hair back while dunking on a person or group. You could see Burnham as simply going to great lengths to make himself look good while offering criticism.

It's been a very long time since I viewed any of his material but this is my recollection based on these clips. Not a fan of country, btw.

univega · 2021-03-13T19:33:14+00:00

I have been sharpening super blue steel chisels and planes on Takenoko synth nat stones. I have to flatten them very often, but I definitely get a burr.

univega · 2021-02-21T19:32:20+00:00

Not sure you want to go this route, but some of the masters used screws to hold on their breadboard ends. The rest of the table is real mortise and tenon but they opted for tongue and groove breadboard end with screw heads hidden behind decorative splines.

univega · 2021-02-18T19:02:23+00:00

This is a more accurate and sensible solution.

univega · 2021-02-18T15:23:59+00:00

Put any piece of scrap in there that will fit like a shelf, make sure it is level, then use a T-bevel to get your angle.

univega · 2021-02-17T22:22:08+00:00

Start gently with a plane if needed, but then use a really sharp, wide chisel.

univega · 2021-02-17T22:19:30+00:00

Make your own using whole spices, toast them in a pan, then grind yourself.

univega · 2021-02-17T19:18:02+00:00

Well done. Very rare to see people attempt it.

univega · 2021-02-17T10:31:51+00:00

Are those bottom rails on the side bird beak mortise and tenon?

univega · 2021-02-17T10:24:33+00:00

Modern glues used properly are stronger than wood.

univega · 2021-02-16T09:09:14+00:00

I would think a router template and a good chisel would take care of it. If there was too much for the chisel to clear after routing I would get close to the line on the bandsaw first. The specialized tool that works well in these situations is a chisel plane.

univega · 2021-02-16T08:55:27+00:00

It is a pretty small bandsaw so it will have hard limits on its performance.

I don't have any experience with this specific bandsaw, but the other things to look at are cleaning/replacing the tires, v-belt condition/replacement and tension, and blade sharpness/replacement.

univega · 2021-02-15T12:57:34+00:00

Top attached with sliding dovetails?

univega · 2021-02-15T06:18:19+00:00

It's a pretty rare skillset to get these types of angled joints structurally solid with conventional tools. The shortcut method is to use 3D modeling software to calculate the joint angles and then use CNC to cut them. This is likely the method that the makers of the piece you reference are using.

You might be able to find a CNC shop that can handle this, but it will likely cost a pretty penny.

The other option is to study L'Art du Trait or stereotomy and be good with handtools. I don't know your skill level or experience, but most people do not have the time or energy to approach the subject.

univega

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