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Q&A with Period Furniture Maker Philip C. Lowe

Gina Eide, Sr. Web Producer

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You asked for it, you got it. Philip C. Lowe of the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts answers questions from our forum in this video Q&A. During a recent video shoot with we snagged a bit of time for this informal video extra.

In the first video clip, Lowe talks about how he got into woodworking. Turns out started as his father's attempt to keep him "off the streets" as a teenager...

He also answers questions on his first workbench (2), the most important part of his training (3), his favorite tools (4), how he stays safe in the shop (5), how he compensates for the toll that woodworking takes on the body (6) the music he listens to in the shop(7), and contemporary woodworkers that he admires (8).

We filmed these clips during a break from a larger video shoot on period details. The cabriole leg video is live now... stay tuned for segments on crafting a flame finial or a Sheraton-style reeded leg.

American Furniture of the 18th Century
by Jeffrey P. Greene History, Technique, and Structure $45.00 more info...

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Comments (19)

dwmmd213 writes: FWW, I have to agree with the many, justified complaints about the pervasion of commercials here on fww.com. Most if not all of us subscribe to the print edition of the magazine (a subscription which in many cases would include access to a Web site) as well as pay a premium for Web content. I also find it a little annoying that I have to log in every five minutes.
Posted: 9:03 pm on March 9th

JCT writes: Totally agree about the commercials. You pay for the site so you don't have to put up with them.
Posted: 2:54 pm on March 4th

Huckleberry writes: The commercials are a nice touch FWW. . .



Posted: 10:39 pm on February 28th

BluhminOnion writes: One commercial for every question? Well, at least the website is free. Oh, wait, it's not!

The number of commercials (a twelve second commercial for every question asked) is unnaceptable.

If this is the future of FWW, I don't want any part of it.
Posted: 3:36 pm on February 26th

BluhminOnion writes: One commercial for every question? Well, at least the website is free. Oh, wait, it's not!

The number of commercials (a twelve second commercial for every question asked) is unnaceptable.

If this is the future of FWW, I don't want any part of it.
Posted: 3:36 pm on February 26th

BluhminOnion writes: One commercial for every question? Well, at least the website is free. Oh, wait, it's not!

The number of commercials (a twelve second commercial for every question asked) is unnaceptable.

If this is the future of FWW, I don't want any part of it.
Posted: 3:36 pm on February 26th

spazapple writes: rich 99:

Dust is an artifact, also a pain in the buttocks (this is a family site). But a dirty messy shop is not indicative of any virtue in the craftsman. Only questions about time management.

One of the great lessons taught at North Bennet and other crafts schools: stop work when things are going well, clean up for the day. You will literally leap out of bed the next day to get into the shop to get back to work. Often, the finest results are achieved by attempting to achieve no results at all. Not sure if Phil hews to this Zenny wisdom, but his results are incomparable and worthy of emulation.

Posted: 3:06 pm on February 26th

rich99 writes: how come there's no dust on his shelves?
Posted: 12:22 pm on February 25th

rexntex writes: Love the in terview but really hate the constant interruption of the commercial.I did not think I would ever see anything like this on my favorite web site.I sure hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.
Posted: 10:30 am on February 25th

KLaz writes: Agree with comments above. As he was talking about his bench the camera should have scanned over it. Would have been much better.

Ads are terrible. Please find a way around them.

I do want to thank you for showing the videos. I really enjoy the candid interviews.
Posted: 7:35 pm on February 24th

rebroach writes: Ditto JimOHerron--I would have loved to see Mr. Lowe's workbench and a few shots of his shop. I enjoyed the remainder of the video.
Posted: 5:46 pm on February 23rd

cmascolo writes: I did a two week workshop with Phil in 1996 on carving a ball and claw. He is an excellent teacher, totally immersed in the craft, with hand skills that amaze even seasoned woodworkers. He is very attentive to the needs of his students and shows a warm, genuine interest in their learning.
Posted: 1:02 pm on February 21st

JimOHerron writes: I enjoyed his story ( we're the same age) but I would have really enjoyed seeing his workbench. The camera stayed focused on his face and I never got to see this workshop he was talking about.
Posted: 10:35 pm on February 19th

GEide writes: Hi Gezdog, Thanks for the feedback... sorry, no way to turn ads off for members on this one... This is a free video for anyone... but, if you watch the members only video series with Lowe (http://www.finewoodworking.com/period-furniture-details/)... it's behind the pay wall and there aren't any ads there. -Gina
Posted: 4:05 pm on February 19th

saschafer writes:
@Gezdog,

Doesn't clicking the X in the upper right corner of the ad popup make it go away? It does for me.

I agree, however, that the ads are intrusive. Other web sites will display a "commercial" at the beginning, and then show the video without interruption. I much prefer that approach.

-Steve

Posted: 9:02 am on February 12th

Gezdog writes: A delightful series of video clips, somewhat spoiled for me at least, by the intrusive Google ads on the taskbar below the screen, which defied all my attempts to delete or even hide. I pay extra for the privilege of belonging to Finewoodworking.com, and I am happy to do so, in the knowledge that premium content is worth the money. I object to being further targeted by marketeting which I have no use for, and which , by its very nature, would thoroughly discourage my business. I want to see Mr Lowe unadorned by spurious, irrelevant advertising. Please, can you guys help?

Posted: 7:33 am on February 12th

monomoy writes: Phil Lowe is an excellent and extremely talented teacher. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Phil at his shop, do so. It will be well worth it.
Posted: 7:58 am on February 10th

FIMWDWKR writes: I must say Phil Lowe is an amazing Craftsmen & Instructor. We are all so lucky to learn from his articles, videos, & workshops. For it is because of his articles I am still a subscriber to FWW.

FR
Posted: 12:12 am on February 9th

NixaJim writes: This sounds very familiar to my story. Except my father didn't have anything to do with my interest in ww. But I loved wood shop in HS. Went in the Army after school and after my 22 year career I began with making a roll top desk with a small 8" TS and a used RAS with some select hand tools. I would never suggest to anyone starting out by making something as comlex as a roll top desk though. Now some 22 years later I've decided to stay pretty much with period furniture with the exception of the grand kids.
Posted: 1:30 pm on February 8th

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