latest neander effort

[Joel Ficke]

Once again I find myself doing more trolling on the creek than contributing....hopefully winter will be different. This summer a major influenza for mountain biking developed in our household, so shop time was compromised, but now snow is starting to fly and fun shop work has started again. Here's the latest...from a class I taught out of the shop some time ago. Simple to look at but full of details to build. Curious to know what you do and don't like about it.

http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=131419&stc=1&d=1256933129

http://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=131420&stc=1&d=1256933129

[David Gendron]

Like: everything. Don't like: nothing... you did it with out the help of power tools?! This is terrefic, it look realy sharp. what kind of wood and what is the finish on the wood?
the carvings are stunning.
Great looking peice!

[Joel Ficke]

David - yes almost exclusively neander. Tough to do with power-tools even if you wanted to. Glad you like it.

The wood is mahogany (original was walnut). Finish is die, glaze and shellac.

[Don C Peterson]

Fantastic work! I like the colors, the proportions, the finish and the carvings are very tasteful. It looks like the M&T joints are drawbored too, so it could outlive your grandchildren.

Just beautiful.

[Jim Koepke]

What I like, all of it is beautiful.

What I don't like, it is beyond my current abilities.

jim

[Robert Rozaieski]

What's not to like?

[Rob Lee]

Most excellent work!

The only thing I could possibly ever see changing is the fabric... :)

After all, it's sure to be well used, and will eventually get dirty...

You've made many people very jealous.

Cheers -

Rob

[Chris Vandiver]

Very, very nice work. I especially like the feet. Not really claw feet but more like Griffin feet. Lovely!

Chris

[Eric Brown]

Just kidding. It looks great. Do you have any pictures of the bottom side?
I'm curious about seat support and strengthening methods.

Eric

[James Owen]

Beautiful work!! Superb carvings! What's not to like?

[Jeff Skory]

Very nice Joel! Just out of curiosity, about how many hours do you think went into this?

[Joel Ficke]

Thanks for the comments.

Jeff - I didn't keep track of hours on this one, but suspect there's 150-200 including finishing. The details just take time to pull off. I suspect a good carver could do it in half that time but probably not less than that.

I neglected to mention it previously, but this is a footstool fashioned after the John Elliot example housed by the PA Historic Society. It's about 14" high and 17" wide.

I'm happy with some of the details, but overall it's a bit bulky and could stand to loose weight. Perhaps smaller knee blocks would have helped...anyway, that's what I'll work on for the next one. [well that and the cup holder :-)] I'm also not satisfied with the patination. I keep experimenting to make finishes look authentically old but never seem to achieve a genuine look. I have a lot of respect for those who can pull that off, and wish I could find a good mentor in that area.

If anyone is interested in the ball and claw feet or knee shell carving, I posted a string of videos on YouTube covering those elements for this footstool. Search under AmericanFurniture. They move slow and are boring beyond belief, but do cover the process throughly and methodically.

[Richard Dooling]

Very, very nice! Your use of the dye gives a great sense of a gently aged piece.

.

[Hank Knight]

Wow! What's not to like? It's beautiful. I admire your skills, especially your carving skills. Wonderful work.

Hank

[Scott Vincent]

All I can say is WOW! It looks spectacular.

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Joel

That is superb work!

I say this bearing in mind that it is not my style of choice (I prefer simple lines and understated details). This piece looks balanced. I could not alter the design (other than the decoration on the stretcher is too busy for my taste). I would also choose a darker fabric. I am in awe of your finishing.

Clearly your patience and attention to detail is of the first order (I wish I had your concentration span!).

I want to see more of your work!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[george wilson]

The legs look like they are curved just right,something that is often lacking. Everything about it looks excellent. I think it is a great piece of work.

[Don Dorn]

It's a spectacular piece. I was going to get my wife to look at it, but I thought better of it - best to keep the expectations much lower. ;)