mswithenbank

St. Ives, AU
member

Started woodworking as a hobby just over 20 years ago with the purchase of a Sears Cabinet saw. Have never looked back.

One year took order at work for 35 Muskoka chairs at $125/each. Collected all the money up front then used it to purchase a bandsaw, drill press, chop saw, belt sander, orbital sander. Basically everything I needed to move to the next level of woodworking.

Each year build 10 - 12 pieces for friends and family. At this point I can build just about anything out of wood.

I moved to Australia in 2003 for business, I run an advertising Agency. I love the exotic Australian hardwoods. They are still a bit pricey but a delight to work with.

Have converted our two car garage to my new shop and can be found in it most weekends and many nights.

Have started a small woodworking co-op where others use my shop and I teach them basic skills. It is important to pass on to others to keep the love of wood alive.

Recently have moved to the next level of woodworking where am building more artistic pieces that are totally self designed. Lots of full sized prototypes in the shop.

Am starting to develop personal style of design. I am really struck by 'floating' table tops and am working on my first 'floating' dinning room table out of silky oak and jarra. Could be stunning.

Mark

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Contributions

Japanese Screens

Jan 2, 2011
1 comment

Japanese rice paper screens. Nice to look at. Hard to make. I was given several board feet of Australian hardwood flooring. In return I was asked to make a set of Japanese screens to divid a...

Display Cabinet

Jan 2, 2011

The client wanted a display cabinet to show her collection of antique glass sculptures. Ensuring lots of light to capture the features was important. The piece is made from Tasmanian...

Carved garden bench

Jan 2, 2011

Australian garden bench. First time carving a piece of furniture.

Buffet in Tasmanian Blackwood

Jan 2, 2011
2 comments

This commission was designed to match an existing dinning room set. The set was designed by an architect and was his first furniture design. The client loved the square insets in the chairs and table...

Marble Table

Jan 1, 2011
2 comments

This started as a simple commission. To construct a side table for a large bathroom. The client had already ordered the piece of Italian marble. My task was to make it all work. I started by making a...

"Australian Floating Dining Room Table"

May 31, 2010
1 comment

Curly Jarrah (very rare) and Tasmanian Lacewood (Silky Oak) combine in this light and airy dining room table. All the tenons were pinned to ensure a strong and lasting join with the top only resting...


Recent comments


Re: the Gorman bench

You should be proud of the piece. It is beautiful. I miss working with cherry. Living in Australia it is very hard to come by. Mark

posted: 7:19 am on October 15th  

Re: Buffet in Tasmanian Blackwood

Dan, If you ever get a chance to work with blackwood or Jarrah, you will enjoy it. Both woods are hard like maple but with a beautiful reddish brown colour.

posted: 10:50 pm on January 2nd  

Re: Marble Table

Because the legs were tapered and therefore complicated angles, I used dowels to join the stretchers to the legs.

posted: 10:48 pm on January 2nd  

Re: End of an Era

I could not hide my smile. Well done.
Mark

posted: 5:32 pm on February 12th  

Re: "Legacy" Tables

Very nice design.
Great balance and proportions.
Nicely done.
Mark

posted: 5:23 pm on February 12th