Benthoven

Ben Williams, Las Vegas, NV, US
member

Native of Columbia SC, I was introduced to woodworking by my Dad, as he rebuilt old sailboats for a hobby when I was a kid. After college (where I studied music theory and jazz performance) I apprenticed in a church organ building firm in Charlotte, NC, where I learned cabinetmaking from the old Dutch and German master organ builders there. I went on to a 20+year career with my own organ building firm, primarily specializing in historic restorations of 19th-century church organs. As a pro bassist performing for over 35 years now, I've also built a few basses and guitars along the way and currently have a new bass design in progress, for mass production, hopefully. Though I am in other business interests now, I occasionally do custom woodworking projects for clients when good opportunities present themselves.

Gender: Male

Birthday: 08/31/1956

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Contributions

Chest Table inspired by Greene & Greene

Nov 8, 2009
6 comments

In the classic arts & crafts style of Greene & Greene, this is a solid mahogany and cumalo chest table with ebony trim. Dimensions are 55" L x 30" H x 19" D, and the finish is Watco Cherry...


Recent comments


Re: New Study Discusses Tablesaw Injuries

The best tablesaw safety tool is your mind - that is, having your mind 100% in the present time moment, fully aware of the exact location of the blade, and your hands.

Background: I went 25 years without injury until I had a "disagreement" with my dado blade, that scooped the entire nailbed and the bone tip from the middle finger of my left hand all the way up to the knuckle, leaving only the fingerprint side. (nothing left to stitch back on, either) Long story short, I refused the amputation recommendation from the surgeon, and never went back to the doctor. Well, over the next couple years the nailbed fully grew back, bone and all. That's another whole story, but in time I even became able to resume my pro bassist career too, now playing in Vegas.

After long painful reflection I realized I had violated my #1 tablesaw safety rule: NEVER allow your attention to wander from the exact position of the blade and your hands. (Long, repetitive operations are especially hazardous in this regard.) The day of my injury, my wife and I had had a very upsetting argument that had my mind distracted. Determined to finish some Christmas presents and "take my mind off things", I went out to the shop to continue work on my project. Terrible mistake.

Lesson learned: NEVER, EVER work with power tools when distracted, upset, ill or fatigued. The best safety equipment on earth can't protect you from injury if your mind isn't 100% on what you're doing.

posted: 2:09 pm on February 23rd  

Re: Contest Rules

I don't think US and Canada DVDs work in UK DVD players, as our fearless leader found out when he gave UK's prime minister a useless collection of US DVD movies on his recent visit.

However, I'd love to see the pen and pencil set given in return to our president that was lathed from wood salvaged from the old slave-rescue smuggling ship!

posted: 7:04 pm on April 29th  

Re: Cello Box

Wow, Congratulations! That is a truly captivating piece, I just can't stop looking at it!! Of course, being a pro upright bass player, and a pipe organ builder/restorer in my first career, there's lots for me to appreciate! I'd love to see pics of some of your tools - particularly your fingerplanes, special scrapers and the gouges and knives you use for your purflings and inlays. I'm really inspired by your artistry on this. Thanks for your explanations on the enigmatic violin finishing arts, too!

posted: 11:25 am on April 1st