Replies

1. 
   ian | May 10, 2004 01:21pm | #1

   Mike

   If I'm thinking of the same Chippendale as you he was a master at veneering.  I'm sure he would have taken to MDF as a substrate for veneering like a duck to water (and cursed the dust like everyone else).  He probably would have used ply and particle board as well.  IMO the arguement comes down to solid wood construction vers veneer, if you prefer solid wood then MDF is that horrible paint grade stuff.    

   Ian

2. 
   CStanford | May 10, 2004 02:26pm | #2

   He would have until one of his patrons accidentally knocked a two inch chunk out of it, confronted him and asked him what the f*** is this?

   
   

   
   

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   Edited 5/10/2004 6:02 pm ET by cstanford

1. 
   Shopmole | May 10, 2004 05:30pm | #3

   That's kind of like the old question of:

   I'm going to make the fire traditionally the way the indians did to prove my manhood.

   When we all know that if the indians had bics they sure as H--- would not have sat there rubbing a couple of sticks.

   Hey is that poetry?

1. 
   CStanford | May 10, 2004 06:04pm | #4

   My customer base would think I had lost my mind if I tried to foist MDF on them in any shape, form, or fashion. 

   Constructing furniture from solid wood (and veneering over solid wood) has a several thousand year history. I can live with that.

   Your analogy is bad.  Fire is fire.  Veneering over the solid vs. veneering over MDF are entirely different things.

   Edited 5/10/2004 11:54 am ET by cstanford

3. 
   aksophie | May 10, 2004 08:26pm | #5

   If he had access to mdf, what makes you think he would have built what he did? Ones materials affect one's work.

1. 
   Strongbow | May 10, 2004 11:50pm | #6

   Ones materials affect ones cost...is what you mean I think?

1. 
   Strongbow | May 11, 2004 12:02am | #7

   Take a look at..Harewood House Yorkshire England.on the web

   Go to the on line tour and the house interior..then go to the Gallery room, No13.

   Thomas chippendale made all the pelmets..which are huge, out of wood, because the owner was fed up of fabric ones fading in the sunlight. Yep, drapes made from wood....

   They are mind boggling,all the creases are there and hundereds of gold tassles, which realy look like they have been made from fabric....you can see them at the far end of the gallery.

   It's a wonderful experience to visit

2. 
   aksophie | May 11, 2004 12:24am | #8

   No, that is not what I mean. Cost isn't a part of it. I mean that the materials that are available to any person/craftsman will affect that individuals choices of what to make, how to make it, and the degree of personalization that will be applied. The availability of mdf, even the knowledge of its existence, will play a part in any makers life. This is true even if one chooses not to use the material.

1. 
   ian | May 11, 2004 11:32am | #9

   well put !

1. 
   Strongbow | May 11, 2004 10:50pm | #11

   I hope she realises not to take this banter to heart??

   And It was only put there to have a pop at Ron, who vanished as quickly as he came!!!!

2. 
   ian | May 12, 2004 02:11pm | #13

   But you have commenced a potentially interesting discussion. 

   If Tom Chippendale had had access to man made boards would he have used them? 

   I'm prepared to contend that he would have.  The beauty of a lot of furniture is the use of exotic, contrasting or interesting veneers to create something that would be impossible if one limited oneself to solid wood.  Yes MDF can fail in chunks in a way that ply or a solid wood substrate will not, but this type of failure would suggest the use of ply (or solid) in preference to MDF where there is asignificant risk of that type of damage. 

   A true craftsman knows the limits of their abilities and works with the materials available, to the client's brief and budget. 

   Ian

3. 
   Strongbow | May 12, 2004 10:16pm | #14

   Well, put!!!

   I think I would as well!

   Mike

2. 
   Strongbow | May 11, 2004 10:48pm | #10

   But if that stuff is not IN FASHION.....no one will buy the furniture regardless of if it is available or not!!??

   So Would Thomas Chippendale have used MDF if it had been available?

   PS did you visit Harewood house site?

1. 
   Strongbow | May 11, 2004 10:53pm | #12

   That was good English...as if of...what was I thinking!!!

   Anyway.....Ascot Races Mid June...breeders stakes....anyone fancy a coach trip for the day out????

   We can discuss this over a bottle of bubbbbbbleeeee!!!!!!

   Mike