Comments

1. 
   dundasian | Jan 28, 2011 08:55pm | #1

   I always enjoy old cabinet shops. I wonder when the panel gauge was first used? It seems to be a very practical tool, but maybe in the absence of plywood, it would have been unnecessary.

2. 
   billpavlak | Jan 30, 2011 11:33pm | #2

   Thanks for posting the nice pics Matt! I'm the guy who was working in the Hay Shop when you were there and I just wanted to clarify something about the panel gauge: they had them in the 18th century, they just didn't look like the one pictured (that's a design I made up at home several years ago and lent to one of my colleagues). Sorry if I created any confusion on that issue.

3. 
   kenrup | Jan 31, 2011 04:45am | #3

   Memories, In the middle 80's I was lucky enough to spend a number of weekends in Colonial Williamsburg. I spent hours in the shop just watching. Watching these guys work magic in wood is what inspired me to dream about hand tool wood working. Fortunatley I am doing wood working with antique hand tools.

4. 
   MKenney | Jan 31, 2011 01:55pm | #4

   Bill,

   Thanks for checking in. I'm glad you like the photos. I took your meaning about the panel gauge. I'll go back and edit the caption so that folks understand that it's only the design that isn't period correct. But it's nice nonetheless.

   Matt

5. 
   PatchOhouli | Feb 05, 2011 06:41pm | #5

   Fantastic photos, Matt. I'm wondering -- is this Williamsburg shop climate controlled? Living in the upper Midwest (and working out of my shop in an unheated garage) I'm very curious about shops before central climate control. Any tips on websites that address this issue? Thanks! John

6. 
   mrfixitnow | Feb 05, 2011 07:21pm | #6

   Great pictures Matt! Of all the places that I like to visit, Colonial Williamsbug is my favorite. The cabinetmakers shop tops it all. While in Williamsburg, be sure to check out the Dewitt Wallace museum. The collection of furniture is unbeleavable. While in the area, be sure to visit the James River Plantations and Carter's Grove Plantation. The history of the resulting crafts and how they were performed is mindblowing. I continuely draw on Williamsburg for inspiration for the workshop.

7. 
   amaruk | Feb 08, 2011 12:43am | #7

   Nice pictures. Since i'm getting more and more in to usuing hand tools it's inspiering me a lot.

   TKS Stef.

8. 
   ATLbound | Feb 08, 2011 04:21am | #8

   Can someone like me really go in and just hang out in the cabinet shop for a few hours and soak up the ambiance? I may be able to go on a Friday in the next month or so, before tourist season kicks in.

9. 
   MKenney | Feb 14, 2011 02:57pm | #9

   ATLbound,

   Yes, the shop is open to the public and I suspect you can hang out as long as you want.

   Matt

10. 
    V1kk1 | Feb 27, 2011 04:24pm | #10

    thanks for the photos.

11. 
    RiteSpec | Jan 25, 2014 06:01pm | #11

    Yes, thanks for taking and sharing these photos. I would love to visit some day. I am going to build more shelves in my shop like theirs. I love the tool and bit holders especially the shelf brackets. amazing how things like that do not look old.