Classic Woodworking: Bow-Front Cabinet in Ash (102)
Apr 14, 2018
This video is an episode teaser. You can watch full episodes on our website by becoming a Fine Woodworking member.
Already a member? Log In
In this episode of Classic Woodworking, host Tom McLaughlin uses American ash from his back woods to create a hanging bow front cabinet featuring hand-crafted proud dovetails and a hidden magnet door catch. He’ll share his tips for using lamination to create the simple but beautiful bow front door by applying a fantastic figured ash veneer. Don’t miss this all-new episode of Rough Cut!
For more information on how to lay out and cut dovetails, see the articles Don’t Fear the Hand-Cut Dovetail and Cut and Fit Perfect Pins.
For more information on making a bowfront door, see the article Curved Panels Made Easy.
To learn how to install knife hinges, see the article Installing Knife Hinges in Curved Work.
For more information on using a vacuum veneer press, see the article A Vacuum Press Makes Veneering Easy.
Download free plans, or purchase a set of printed plans (coming soon).
Comments
An excellent video. The cabinet is beautiful.
Tom McLaughlin does a really nice job, both as a woodworker and as a teacher.
This needed to be a two or maybe even a three part series on a project like this. If feel real bad for the beginner woodworker out there who really wants to make a project like this. Shame on you Fine Woodworking for allowing a project like this to air. You know exactly what I am talking about.
Full Disclosure: I have taken a multi-session live stream course on a project build with Tom. He is excellent, great to see him take RoughCut forward. That being said I find myself somewhat in agreement with RUUP4IT. Tom is being jammed into 30 min segments and this is not the Tom I know, or FWW either. A min or two on dovetails? Not even that on the hinges, which can be tricky to get right. Really? Not expecting a tutorial here but a little allowing for more detailed dialoged would go a long way. Great projects and guests have been lined up for this season, Tom is exactly the right person for the show. But the producers need to consider serious changes in the approach to projects next season. And don't get me started on the video production. It's an annoyingly washed out video with poor contrast. Thought my TV was broken. Get WGBH on the phone and turn this over to FWW's Ben Strano for next season. And did I say how much a like Tom?
Thank you guys, for the kind comments about me as a host. It’s a dream job and I hope we’ll have many seasons to grow our skills in putting together a great show.
The time constraints will always be a challenge, less than 26 minutes actually! But at this stage, it’s the format we have and our goal is to share the craft with as many as possible, in an appealing, inspiring and effective way. You’ll find the projects will vary from beginner to intermediate, with a few advanced skills thrown in to keep it interesting!
So naturally, in order to show as much of the process of making each weeks piece, out of necessity, a lot of great content ends up on the cutting room floor. As you rightly assumed, each episode is not meant to be a deep dive and detailed “how to” in making each piece. But that’s where I the partnering relationship with Fine Woodworking is the perfect compliment to the show. They already have tremendous archived materials, and there will be more expanded material available to explore for anyone inspired to go deeper. And I’m excited to be playing a part in developing some of that content...stay tuned, and thanks again!
Tom
I'm really enjoying the series and the format. I appreciate the fact that you can only go so in-depth in 26 minutes. I prefer this format, where I can draw inspiration from the episode and, if needed, search the web for more information on the ins-and-outs of dovetailing, finishing, or installing knife hinges as opposed to just featuring one or two projects in a season and going over everything necessary to build it. That may appeal more to a serious woodworker but keep in mind, this show also has to keep the interest of the casual viewer who doesn't even intend to make this and just wants to see a beautiful finished product at the end of the show. Keep up the great work.
I just got to see this episode. It seemed to flow better than the first one, so you must be getting the producers trained!
Now FWW has to catch up, but it's early days yet, and no doubt a few bugs to get worked out.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and the fine tuning of this collaboration.
Can't make all the people happy all the time...
But you are on the right track. Keep it up Tom! 👍🏼
I find I like the Youtube-like productions more than these Bob Vila scripted snippets... That series on the Bennett Street School toolbox felt like the real deal...
That said, at least Tom cut the tails first!
Ely
This new series is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Tom is a great teacher who slows down enough to say at least a little about each step. 26 minutes is not much time - I understand. Yet there were a couple of subtlties that might have been explored in more depth. Selecting the right glue for a bent lam glueup is important. I think the fact that some glues are specifically designed to create a ridgid glue line minimizing spring back might have been discussed - without revealing the manufacturer of the glue. As someone else commented, knife hinges could have been an entire show by themselves.
All that said, Tom is a magnificent teacher who speaks calmly and authoratively. I'm going to really enjoy watching. I do hope that for some projects, those with obscure or complex steps, the producers allow for the show to be split over a couple of episodes. Yes, much of this available elsewhere on YouTube, but not presented by Tom who I think has a knack for explaining things clearly and thoroughly.
I agree with the comments about the format lacking detail. The whole show is, "Here's a thing that I made. If you want to know how, go look it up later." Obviously, there is a time constraint. But there are a lot of editing choices that can be made differently to show more of the project and less of Tom talking about it. Not that I don't enjoy Tom - I think he's a fine host. But viewers really need to see how the project is built more than they need to see even the most charismatic of woodworkers standing around talking. I would think that beginners would be so utterly lost that they would quit watching. And experienced woodworkers wouldn't get a whole lot out of this format either, since there is almost no explanation of any of the techniques.
That said, it was a cool project, and it did make me want to go search for more info about some of the techniques used.
WHY????? Why is he using a clumsy jig and operating in an unsafe manor when he has the ability to use a precision slider in a much safer way to the left of the blade? It doesn't make any sense unless you think you're viewers are too stupid to understand how quality machinery is supposed to used. WTF guys?
Where do you get the materials for the door? I searched all over the Internet for what Tom calls "bending ply." The way he mentions that it's like you can just go and pick it up at your local Home Depot! Could you please provide an online resource where I can purchase some of this material?
You'll need to go to a plywood dealer or a high quality hardwood dealer. Most will have to order it.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in