deeg

There are three Morris chairs crammed into my living room, which I made out of local California oak trees. Last night as I was talking to a friend I noticed he was running his fingers over the through tenons, just as I have seen many people do. I remember carefully shaping the tenon ends with a wide chisel, slowly forming the rounded curve, using the chisel to shave thin layer after layer off until the shape was perfect to my eye.
After sitting in these chairs for a while I realized that the plywood under the cushions had to go. I replaced the plywood with rubberized webbing. Now they are chairs whose smooth wide arms can easily hold my coffee cup (or beer bottle), and can hold me for hours comfortably. Okay, it's starting to sound a little weird, but because I made them they are still in process in my thoughts. When I make more for friends or clients I'll keep these thoughts in mind and my chairs will evolve, as will my skills.
That's why I love woodworking.

Mmmmmmm...power tools....an issue of Fine Woodworking....a belt of terpentine....my imaginary girlfriend...

Life is just plane groovy!

Forged, heat treated, ground

Matt Kenney’s planes were we found,

Respected, desired

Striking a manly pose for the cover of "Guns and Planes" magazine, Matt reflects thoughtfully on a of high fiber diet of wooden hand tools to stay in the groove.

I wonder if Norm ever wore short sleeves?

Sawdust for brains needs a traditional heart.

Norm's new most important safety rule: When screaming down the backstretcher at 20,000 r.p.m., always wear a safety helmet.

What an inspirational video. As a former producer myself, I have to say you are on to something here. Now, I want to take that walk through the woods and hear what Gilpin has to say about those big old trees. I want to see the process of his in action.
Great job of editing the interview into a coherent and well styled piece. MORE!

Dan DeGennaro

Great job. Terrific detail. I've built quite a few toys and yours is really special. I'd keep a backup hidden however. I have three year old twin grand kids and they are rough on wooden toys. Not destructive, but very physical. Keep up the good work!

Dan deGennaro

Dan DeGennaro

Thanks to Norm for all of the years he dedicated to fine craftsmanship and high personal standards. Whenever Norm came to Northern California, my wife and I always went to hear him speak. He is the genuine article, truthful, funny, genuinely concerned with teaching the serious home woodworker how to work on a huge variety of practical and elegant projects.

I recall Norm saying in a recent interview that when he retired he would be taking some time off to develop a series of original furniture deigns, something unique to him, then probably present them to the public in some form. He also mentioned he felt his current home was too big, maybe something smaller and greener is on the planning board. I hope he eventually chooses video to share his work whatever it is, because there are few people as easy and natural on air as he is.

I am a molder by nature.