pdxwoodsman

Ya, the 80's called and wants their pants back.... So this is the perfect return, as well as freeing up that space for something... current...

With the vast range of skills and integrity in the craft of woodworking, it is natural to experiment with products that are less expensive. Especially when a piece will be painted it is tempting to short cut that which will not be seen.
Dead flat... absolutely. Easy to shape for jigs, templates, and fixtures... without doubt.

A product that will withstand the test of time, move after move, child after child... not a chance.

Others posting their joy at the versatility of MDF, or stating that craftsmen of old would most certainly have used the material are quite right.
Though standing the test of time, I am certain, would have glaringly demonstrated the many weaknesses of this inferior material.

MDF for fine furniture... I say Boo... and boo to those that try to justify this inferior and dangerous product as worthy of the classification of Fine Furniture.

Gary et. al.
Safety, while often in the back of our minds, rarely receives the time that many other aspects our craft see.
Reading through the numerous suggestions and approaches listed below, one simple routine which can help is to have a printed list posted in the shop.
I've worked in manufacturing for 16 years and the one thing that never fails is human nature.
We want to improve our process. Shorten the time it takes to go from A to D or E, just don't let E be the Emergency room.
Clearances:
** Floor --- Slip, trip, and fall hazards are the #1 workplace cause of injury. Musculo-skeltal disorders...

** Overhead --- if there is something for me to hit my head upon... I will... Clear your work space.

** Clutter --- Tool surfaces free of debris, floors clear, air clear.

** Dust Extraction --- This goes with floor, clutter, and air.

** Chemicals --- Not talked about as often at the obvious spinning metal cutter, though chemical exposure is a serious hazard during the final phases of any project.

Of course we could go on and on...

If you are rushing to complete a job or project... Stop
It is especially during this time you need to leave the shop.
Fatigue causes impaired judgement...
Do you want to explain to your children, spouse, coworkers that you were foolish enough to cut off your fingers or worse, because you were rushing to get to the end of a project before going to a movie?

Mike D. Portland Oregon

Funny how judgemental we can be as crafters...
Considering the strength of the dovetail joint, there is little doubt of its appeal.

As mentioned in the editorial, Mr. Kenny brought up the machined dovetail...
As a true purist, only a hand cut dovetail should be put at the top of the heap in my opinion.
When the Egyptians were employing the dovetail... They didn't have the advantage of the host of engineered adhesives... They needed a mechanical advantage, which the dovetail provides.

What is the use of the drawer? Are you storing weights for your home gym? Or perhaps the assortment of items in a bedside table...
While all joints are not created equal, lets keep a sense of humor and willingness to see the beauty in simplicity.

pdxwoodsman
Portland Oregon

There are many interesting comments about the pros and cons of tool repair.
For me the question is: How do we as consumers push the tool industry to provide tools that are repairable and worth our time.

With design for manufacture and built in obsolesence, we support the throw away culture that continues to degrade the quality we'd all like to have.
Of course we get what we pay for as the saying goes.

What can we expect to pay for quality?
What are the key elements of a quality tool?
Ergonimics, fit and finish, weight, repairability, durability, I'm sure the list goes on.

When trying to complete a job, economics often provide a guide of how much we can spend if we want to maintain a profit.
I love my Festool drill, but can I afford to have all my tools in this quality range?
We do have a voice and power in numbers.
We can as consumers unite to send a message (or in this case thousands of messages) to tool makers. We want tools that are repairable.
As many previous comments stated, however, are the tools worth the time and cost to repair.
Thanks for the many thought provoking comments!
Mike D.
Portland Oregon

How can we know where we are, without looking where we've come from.
Restoration is an excellent way to see what works... and what doesn't in furniture construction.

One can never have too many books!!!
Michael D.
Portland Oregon

There are many good comments regarding furniture styles.
During my adventures in woodworking I've found there are amazing styles of furniture the world over.
While refined machine milled work plays the predominant role in the offerings by FWW, there is a vast amount of indigenous craft. The techniques are familiar, and the result common, utility, art, and creative expression. Every continent has something unique.
Please educate us! Predictability is the harbinger of stagnation. What about a historic corner. The makers of the past. Tudor to Stuart, Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite... Macintosh, Jacobs, Jacobsen, Wegner, Makepeace... The point is there is a history beyond what we see in FWW.

How bout the host of other woodworking techniques such as totem carving, framing for upholstered furniture, or the building of mobiles, whirly gigs, and display stands for sculpture... If you've made it this far congratulations... The point is, a dedicated page or two to something that brings to life the breadth and history of the art, craft, and use of wood. The magazine is called fine woodworking. Not Fine Furniture Making... (I believe that pub is available in the UK.)
Give us something new (old) and innovative in the realm of wood crafting. I still prefer FWW over the other available woodworking mags, and look forward to the ever evolving format. Best from Portland, Oregon