I remember fondly the days when I could just fly by the seat of my pants. I almost never planned my projects ahead of time and forget about a solid video schedule. It’s a wonder I ever developed an audience at all! But with the growth of the Wood Whisperer Guild and the birth of my son, necessity dictates a change in methodology. The words nearly stick in my throat as I admit to myself, “I need to develop a plan!” So with that in mind, here are some of the things I plan (hope) to accomplish in 2012. Obviously there will be more than what I list below, but my crystal ball only has so much power.
Site Upgrade
A few changes are coming to TheWoodWhisperer.com. We are almost constantly working on ways to improve the usability and appearance of the website. Much like our shops, there is always something that could be improved. So the new site will look very similar but we think you’ll find it much more pleasing to navigate. The home page will be cleaner and more succinct. The live page and all the streaming web cams will be significantly improved with iOS compatibility and a new simpler chat room. Goodbye crappy chat room! We will also be implementing a new feature that allows you to easily search our archives by specific attributes. Want to see all the Shop Tours submitted by Pros with standalone shops that are 1000+ sq. ft. with a strong focus on power tools? You’ll be able to do that. Pretty cool stuff. Look for it to arrive in your browser early 2012.
The Split-Top Roubo
The Split-Top Roubo Guild Build is about to begin and should last for at least a few months. Having this sweet bench in my shop will be a great way to start the new year as I dive into some new projects. If you are looking to get in on the build, check this out!
The Client Project (Bedroom Set)
Some of you may recall the “Summer of Wenge”. A few years ago, my favorite client commissioned a few very unique cabinets made primarily from Wenge. So I endured countless splinters as I brought the pieces to life. Well the same client is looking for some bedroom pieces, including a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. These pieces will NOT be made from Wenge, but Bubinga and African Blackwood instead. The picture here is only a starting point as the final design will have some sweet raised panels along with the angled headboard. Not sure how many of these pieces I’ll be able to do but I am thinking we might start with the bed and go from there.
The Maloof-Inspired Rocker
I have been wanting to build a Maloof-style rocker for years. Whether in a class or on my own with a set of plans, some day it will happen! And this year just may be the year. During a recent Wood Talk Online Radio, my co-host Shannon and I realized that we both own the Charles Brock plans and thought it would be cool if we both documented a build at the same time. He would cover primarily hand tool methods and I would focus a little more on power tools. Now the question is, can we both carve out the time?
The Krenov Cabinet
I have long been an admirer of Krenov’s work. And with the last few Guild projects being fairly large, I think it’s time to do something on a smaller scale. So I am thinking the next Guild project will be a small floor-standing Krenov-inspired Jewelry Armoire. I guess you could also just call it a cabinet and put whatever you want in it. Either way, it should be a fun and useful project.
The Tilt-Top Table
My buddy Bill Akins alerted me to a table he thought I could have some fun with. It’s a classic tilt-top table from Fine Woodworking. You’ll probably notice that this doesn’t look like a “marc” project. No doubt I tend to focus more on modern designs and I don’t have much personal interest in what I affectionately refer to as, “Burgundy Grandma furniture”. If you like this stuff, don’t be offended. This is no different than me saying I’m not a big fan of dark-colored walls, young kids with handlebar mustaches, and street racers that sound like souped-up lawn mowers. Its just a personal distaste for the look. But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t have respect for the craftsmanship, elegance, and history that comes with some of these pieces. So with that in mind, I think its time for me to try something different, like this table. I will most likely make a few changes so that it becomes something I don’t mind looking at in my own home, but the fundamentals of the build will be inspired by the original. And yes, we’ll even do some turning.
Adirondack Chair Class
You probably remember the Adirondack Chair from this summer, right? Well this Summer, I’ll be teaching folks how to build it at the William Ng School. You can sign up for the 5-day class right now by clicking here. The class will run from June 4th – June 8th and should be a great time. June in Southern California?!?! Yes please!
Miscellaneous Videos
Of course we’ll have numerous other technique and small project videos as well as minis. Just a few things I have planned already are: The Shop-Made Drawing Bow, The Rockler Circle Cutting Jig, and Must-Have Router Bits.
All in all, it should be a great year at The Wood Whisperer. Thanks for making 2011 another record-breaking year in terms of traffic and video downloads. You guys are the best community a woodworking nerd could ask for!
Marc in the Aussie vernacular you are a bloody legend! Love the site, love your work.
I’d love to see the Maloof inspired rocker! I recently bought Hal Taylor’s book ‘How To Build a Beautiful Rocking Chair’ a 250 page great read.
For those of us who live far, far away from CA and/or are unable to get a week off from work, put together a “class” (on-line, DVD) on building the Adirondack Chair.
I did. The videos are available in the Guild or on DVD: http://twwstore.com/projects/adirondack-chair-dvd/
Sounds like a busy year! If you haven’t settled on a final design for that bed, check out FWW #220. There’s an article in there “6 Ways to build a bed” and in particular the Japanese style platform bed w/ thick timbers. It’s a really nice looking bed, so it may give you some ideas/inspiration.
I look forward to seeing it all. I like the idea of the jewelry armoire. While I am not a guild member (as I can’t afford it right now), I am hoping to see some of the footage make it to the free site. I like the styling of the one you have pictured and can imagine building something of a similar style but adapted to be a charging cabinet for all of my families electronic devices. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
As for you coming up with a plan, I have found that no matter how good the plans, they have to be flexible all the time because you never know what is going to pop up. Just one of my life’s little lessons.
Do you plan to do the bed on the free or the guild site?
That would be on the free site.
I agree with Todd. I have the Maloof video he’s talking about and it’s a great video for insight into the man and his work. I got some rocker plans from Scott Morrison at finewoodworker.com. He used to do an apprenticeship with Sam and Scott’s work reflects it. Anyway, looks like another fun year for SAWDUST!
Marc,
I would recommend that you watch “A Fine Woodworking DVD Profile Sam Maloof” by Taunton DVD. It is fascinating to watch him work and to see the beautiful home that he and his wife have built. Everett is right about Sam’s free hand cutting technique being scary to watch in the video.
If you haven?t read any of Krenov’s books I would also recommend that you do. Start with his first A Cabinet Makers Notebook. I just started his second book and it?s interesting to see how some of his believes changed during the time between books. In his first book he says that he doesn?t consider what we produce to be art because we are woodworkers. After some time he reversed those thoughts. Thank goodness because he was a true artist.
Either way one chooses to build either one these projects it will be fun and challenging. Thank you my friend for your time as well as for scheduling these builds for us. It will force some of us to step outside of our comfort zones and build pieces that are on most woodworkers bucket lists and I think that?s what the Guild is all about. Cheers.
Sounds like another great year at TWW, really hope Sams rocker comes to life!! No matter what I am sure we will make new projects together, new memories, and my favorite-new friends!
The rocker and the tilt top table are definitely on my watch list. Also, if I was able to afford it, I’d be there for the class you’re teaching. Perhaps next time.
I like what I see here……… You do have a funny way of doing things, but it works. I have if you feel that you need to do more,,,,GREAT!!!! that is just more for us…… your videos and site keep me coming back with anticipation of something new, and you want to increase my chances,,,, GREAT!!!!
The Krenvo cabinet is right up my alley! I will defiantly be looking into joining the guild!
Marc,
You are going to be right in my backyard when you are teaching at William Ng’s school. I would love to take that class. I have to see if I can fit it into the budget/time off.
Looks like you’re gonna be busy this year. I would love to see you and Shannon both work on a rocker.
Marc,
I’m in for a Maloof build. I would like to approach it with as few power tools as possible but I know that my bandsaw will get used heavily for rough shaping in the sculptural phase.
Yeah I think the bandsaw gets a pass on this one. :)
Just some personal thoughts, but I don?t think Maloof excluded the use of power tools to complete a piece of furniture. I think he embraced technology like the Shaker’s and Stickley?s did. I?ve watched the DVD on Mr. Maloof and his shop was very dependent on power tools.
Now if you want to stay close to a builder?s preference then when you build the Krenov cabinet you will use mostly hand tools. But even Krenov says in his book that he loves a high quality band saw.
Thanks for allowing me to share them Marc.
I don’t think either one of us is concerned about doing it the way Maloof did so much as doing it the way we want to. I don’t know much about Maloof’s actual tools/methods. But I know Brock certainly uses plenty of power tools. So I’m personally anxious to see Shannon’s predominantly hand tool approach.
Does this mean the crazy free-hand sawing that Maloof never recommended? Time to Man up!
I’ve been obsessed with reading about Maloof lately, and I’ve seen a lot of people do the shaping with power grinders, which seems a LOT safer.
Also, do you plan on doing the traditional Maloof finishing technique on the chair?
Not sure what I’m going to do about the finish. I think I’ll worry about that when the chair is a little more of a reality. :)
I don’t know, a work bench with a split top, a table with a tilted top, a meat loaf rocker and something about a client and a bed? You might need to get more sleep this year.
Sounds like it’s going to be an interesting year Marc. Best wishes for you and Nicole and Mateo.
Ah yes the Maloof rocker, I picked up the plans from Charles himself at WIA this past fall but just now getting started on this bucket list project. I look forward to following your posts.
Best wishes for a great and prosperous new year to you, Nicole and of course “mighty Mateo”
Can’t wait to see the Krenov cabinet. The man was a such a poet that we’d all do well to spend some time getting inside his work.
It’ll be especially neat to see how a modern worker approaches such an archetypal Krenov piece. To wit: Krenov coopered the doors to such pieces with a hand plane…a hand plane that he himself had made, no less. How does today’s hybrid woodworker skin that cat?
Shaping up to be a happy new year, indeed.
Very ambitious plan for 1 year. Good luck, and the Best for you, Nicole and Mateo.
Hi Marc
And without your priceless advice for our woodworking newbies, we certainly would not have all the info and tips at hand.
It is very rare to see a person, like you, using your time, to make such informative videos.
Thank you.
It looks like you are a bubinga fan. I also like the wood.
Here it is relative cheap to come by.
But what I cannot understand is the smell of the wood.
Some say it stink like manure. Other say (including myself) it has a sweet smell.
What is your experience with bubinga?
Maybe a video of all the wood species, local and exotic, will be in order. (wish list)
Anyway you and your family must have a great new year.
Johan
Plan your work and work your plan, sounds like a plan to me Marc, and a darn good one too!
I am excited about the new year. We are with you, all the way!!
The krenov cabinet is a very nice guild project!
Happy New Years Marc!
Exciting time of the year to be new parents! Hope you, Nicole and Mateo had a great holiday.
The Maloof chair build with both you and Shannon sounds like a winning combination!. The Krenov cabinet and the folding table are both great ideas for the guild build as well.
Looking forward to a great year!
Hey Marc,
What are the chances of the Maloof rocker becoming a reality for a guild build this year? Or are you thinking more on the lines of a personal build in your own time?
Most likely won’t be a Guild Build. Have to be careful since someone is making money off of these plans. Our Guild Build would essentially compete with them so I’m not sure how that would be accepted. So I plan on covering it on the free site.
The Maloof is on my bucket list but no way I could fit in on my 2012 list, I sure hope both of you can so I can watch though!!
Happy new year to all of you in my online family!!
Looking forward to all of the changes and the projects!
Oh I see it’s going to be a Happy Happy sawdust making New Year!!
Marc, do the chair first! You and your wife will enjoy it and may find it useful for feeding the little one at night :-)
Didn’t realize there was the adirondack on the list – so to clarify the Maloof rocker first
Mark, I’m glad to see that Mateo has allowed you to return to the shop my friend. I have been following Nicole?s post of him on Flickr and he has grown so much. I hope that you two really enjoyed him on his first Christmas with you.
Well Mark I have to keep my promise to join after the work bench is done. I can tell you that the Krenov Cabinet Guild build will be when I become a member of the guild.
Mark one request and that is for a video on the use of a drum sander. I was on lumberjocks yesterday and someone had asked for advice on using one, best speeds and so on. The answers being given were not great and basically the person was told to play with it and do what works best. I ordered one myself from Grizzly.com Friday so, I have a vested interest. Thanks
the sam maloof rocker is very high on my list of things to do, but unfortunately mine is more a bucket list. i will build one before i die. don’t think it will be this year though
Sounds great, Marc! All the best to you, Nicole, Mateo, and TWW.com in 2012.
WOW , I would be so into that Maloof Rocker , sure hope some time can be carved out for it . Crossing my fingers and say a prayer or two .
Wow, looks like a very busy year!
Outstanding ! Looks like a great start on a “Plan” way to go Marc.