What wonderful work and inspiration! I've recently met Michael Cullen, and thoroughly enjoyed both meeting him and taking his class. Had I known of his background as you described him, I'd have been even more awed than I was. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is one of the most satisfying woodworking videos I've seen but then I'm in retirement and a hobby woodworker. I can understand the guys who have to make a living from their craft not being so appreciative.
I was one of the lucky folks who had the privilege to spend a year learning from David Powell. Although not as well known as some other late 20th century great fine furniture makers, he was among the best of the best; even Tage Frid called him "The Master". I was so pleased to hear your appreciation of his thought and work. And I really enjoyed seeing this video. (and killer cabinet...)
Great video. Thank you. I like how the video provides the back story to David Powell's Tool chest which was featured in Jim Tolpin's, The Toolbox Book. I also copied David's wagon vise shown in Jim's, The Workbench Book.
I grew up in Northampton MA, and met Powell when I was apprenticing as a pipe organ builder. I often wish I’d gone to the Leeds school as well. It would have saved me a lot of learning over the years 😊. It was a wonderful place. (Btw, technically Easthampton is Western Massachusetts. That’s important to us natives 😏.)
That’s a really elegant piece of furniture that would easily sit in a lounge room, lwt alone a workshop. I understand the monadic life over 6 months to build it but my question is how did you manage to put food on the table if working on a project for yourself? Did you build along side other projects for clients to make a living? If that was the case the 6 months timeframe was such because working on multiple projects at the same time or are you saying it took you 6 months from A to Z to build the tool chest?
Truly beautiful. I love the finished piece and the footage... not sure you needed to kill the cat at the end, though. Sorry, I couldn't resist that given the final images.The furniture making shows true mastership (and I trust the puddytat is still healthy).
I've been a Carpenter for about 30 years and have built many cabinets but; mine only takes, for the most complex ones; like 2-3 days...I wish I had the luxury of time to just do the best finish work possible! A one day and a half drawer would cost me about 6-8 hundred dollars to produce...
The location of the Edward Barnsley workshop, in Hampshire (not Leeds, nor the Cotswolds), England: www.barnsley-furniture.co.uk/contact/. Edward Barnsley:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Barnsley
Ive been learning to make furniture for about 3 years now. I only have books and youtube to teach myself. I have been looking for information on apprenticeship programs around the southern border of vermont, central and western mass, or upstate New York. If anyone knows of any, feel free to comment. Haha
Meanwhile in the real world where genuine craftsmen try to earn an honest living, we would not dare to bring such a pretentious tool chest in to the workshop ! talk about a self indulgent ego trip. A competent apprentice piece sure, thats a credible demonstration of your work but the last place you should be putting a busy piece of furniture is a workshop. This is exactly the kind of cringe worthy ego driven pretension that my grandfather could not stand. In practice he knew as I have found out too, that these prima donna’s are slow, self obsessed and do not work well with others. So they inhabit a world of marketed ‘Fame’ and play the hobby lobby to build their reputation. I would never prostitute my craft by teaching the Hobby dollar. The arts and crafts movement has a subtext that betrays, in practice, work that does not bear to close scrutiny. Worse, they damaged the reputation of honest craftsmen who do not care for the pretentious politics of the avant garde crowd. In collusion with overrated architects such as Frank L Wright et al, their real legacy is cold, soulless, effeminate show boating.
What wonderful work and inspiration! I've recently met Michael Cullen, and thoroughly enjoyed both meeting him and taking his class. Had I known of his background
as you described him, I'd have been even more awed than I was. Thank you for sharing your story.
Beautiful video production !! And what a great beginning to a woodworking journey; a monastic apprenticeship in a beautiful countryside.
Beautiful work and great pedigree. Thanks for sharing.
This is one of the most satisfying woodworking videos I've seen but then I'm in retirement and a hobby woodworker. I can understand the guys who have to make a living from their craft not being so appreciative.
Great video! Beautiful workmanship! Lovely connection to the pass!!!
I was one of the lucky folks who had the privilege to spend a year learning from David Powell. Although not as well known as some other late 20th century great fine furniture makers, he was among the best of the best; even Tage Frid called him "The Master". I was so pleased to hear your appreciation of his thought and work. And I really enjoyed seeing this video. (and killer cabinet...)
Love the detail and history. Great
Beautifully done video and beautifully told story. Thank you!
That’s simply a beautiful piece!
Incredible, history being continued like that not only through training but with the subtle elements of repeated design. What a video.
Awesome to see someone who was local to the area get a great piece about them.
Great video. Thank you. I like how the video provides the back story to David Powell's Tool chest which was featured in Jim Tolpin's, The Toolbox Book. I also copied David's wagon vise shown in Jim's, The Workbench Book.
What a wonderful video.
This video was very inspirational, thank your posting.
Fascinating… beautiful work as well
That was inspirational. Thanks!
thanks for this video amazing heritage from england,s crafstman
Beautiful work! Very inspiring. And you can never go wrong with a fine workshop cat!
Nice choice young man. Great experience, great story.
Good mix of philosophy and woodworking
I use cheap rare earth magnets glued to back of tapes and "magnetic" paint on several cabinets- both and stationary.
I grew up in Northampton MA, and met Powell when I was apprenticing as a pipe organ builder. I often wish I’d gone to the Leeds school as well. It would have saved me a lot of learning over the years 😊. It was a wonderful place. (Btw, technically Easthampton is Western Massachusetts. That’s important to us natives 😏.)
thank you for the history lesson. I enjoyed that.
Magnificent!!!
Very nice video I would have liked to do an apprentice some were I'm 67 the last few years my work has improved so much any way thanks again
That’s a really elegant piece of furniture that would easily sit in a lounge room, lwt alone a workshop. I understand the monadic life over 6 months to build it but my question is how did you manage to put food on the table if working on a project for yourself? Did you build along side other projects for clients to make a living? If that was the case the 6 months timeframe was such because working on multiple projects at the same time or are you saying it took you 6 months from A to Z to build the tool chest?
did he hand doodle the knobs? Nice cab. :)
Very, very cool.
Truly beautiful. I love the finished piece and the footage... not sure you needed to kill the cat at the end, though. Sorry, I couldn't resist that given the final images.The furniture making shows true mastership (and I trust the puddytat is still healthy).
@ 3:36 what is that hanging on the right side? Large Square?
I've been a Carpenter for about 30 years and have built many cabinets but; mine only takes, for the most complex ones; like 2-3 days...I wish I had the luxury of time to just do the best finish work possible! A one day and a half drawer would cost me about 6-8 hundred dollars to produce...
Solid point. While a lot of us would love to produce this build quality, the fact is there is a very limited market willing to pay for it.
Was the cabinet not for him self or did I misunderstood something?
The location of the Edward Barnsley workshop, in Hampshire (not Leeds, nor the Cotswolds), England: www.barnsley-furniture.co.uk/contact/. Edward Barnsley:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Barnsley
That chamfer on chamfer on chamfer at 5:06, holy cow. Anyone recognize the piece?
Does Trevor have plans available for this?
Ive been learning to make furniture for about 3 years now. I only have books and youtube to teach myself. I have been looking for information on apprenticeship programs around the southern border of vermont, central and western mass, or upstate New York. If anyone knows of any, feel free to comment. Haha
Step 1 of becoming a woodworking apprentice, hit the mega jackpot lottery.
Beautiful cat.
god im so fuckin jeaulous of this dude....
Martin DeVido you too! lol if i haf a do-over at life id choose to do this apprenticeship lol
This makes me want to quit my job and get an apprenticeship
wonderful
Meanwhile in the real world where genuine craftsmen try to earn an honest living, we would not dare to bring such a pretentious tool chest in to the workshop ! talk about a self indulgent ego trip. A competent apprentice piece sure, thats a credible demonstration of your work but the last place you should be putting a busy piece of furniture is a workshop. This is exactly the kind of cringe worthy ego driven pretension that my grandfather could not stand.
In practice he knew as I have found out too, that these prima donna’s are slow, self obsessed and do not work well with others. So they inhabit a world of marketed
‘Fame’ and play the hobby lobby to build their reputation.
I would never prostitute my craft by teaching the Hobby dollar. The arts and crafts movement has a subtext that betrays, in practice, work that does not bear to close scrutiny.
Worse, they damaged the reputation of honest craftsmen who do not care for the pretentious politics of the avant garde crowd.
In collusion with overrated architects such as Frank L Wright et al, their real legacy is cold, soulless, effeminate show boating.