I’mcurrently trying my hand at a Mission Style table ( for a TV) and am not sure of which edge treatment goes on a “Mission Style” piece. There is a lot of square edges in this thing, do I round-over, or champfer them? Do I leave those edges crisply square, or just ease them a bit? I am more used to Shaker Style of doing things. A picture of a “dry-fit” on one of the end assemblies:
Replies
I usually just ease them a bit by hand with sand paper. Just enough for them to be friendly to the hand.
Ditto that, 'cept I might use a block plane for a more "handcrafted" look.
Bret
I think that you are probably more true to the style with a swipe of a plane to break the edge. In retrospect most of my A&C pieces have a strong Green and Green influence. I find the true A&C a little to angular for my taste so I have a tendancy to pillow my tenons and pegs, and round over other edges to make them softer.
Mission, and Arts & Crafts "Style"
I've had the opportunity be be hands on with originals from several of the stickleys, the Roycroft shop, Charles Rolhfs, Charles Limbert Co. And many others. And it's always tought to differentiate between what was intended, and what 100 years of handling has introduced. But my best observations are that the square edges are eased just enough to be friendly to the touch. You don't want a sharp corner cutting your skin. I accomplish this by chucking a 1/16" round over bit into one of my trim routers. It doesn't change the look of the piece at all, but does remove the sharp edge, that would eat up a boat load of sand paper otherwise. I guess you could block plane it if you want, but Quartered oak has a way of having it's own way with a plane. It's definatley not Mahoganhy or Walnut
The cool thing is, I don't think there's a wrong way to do this. I mean, if you want to really ease the edges, then go for it. If you want to leave them sharp, thats your choice too. As far as Authentic "Mission", Mission was a marketing term, which we beleive was introduced by a journalist, while describing some of the squarish arts & crafts furniture by, I believe, Joeseph McHugh. A term that is very general, and just stuck with people.
Anyway, Even if you said "I want it to be just like Stickley did it", then we'd have to really think about which stickley, and during what phase of their carreer, because the work of Gustav Stickley, is radically different from the work of Charles or Albert, his siblings. And there were atleast two other stickly Brothers who made furniture.
Even a phrase as innocent as staying true to the "Arts & Crafts style" is a bit confusing, because there wasn't really a style. Arts & Crafts was a movement, a Philosphy, and that's why the furniture of the Arts & Crafts icons, such as Mackintosh, Stickley, Webb & Wahsington (Morris & Co.), The Greene's, and Rohlfs looks so incredibly different from one another, but is still Arts & Crafts.
I know, you just want to know if you should sand, round over, or chamfer.... So my answer would be yes
Best,
Gregory
Gregory Paolini
Answers don't get much better than this. Thats what I love about this site, you can learn so much.
I have studied A & C quite a
I have studied A & C quite a bit over the last two years Greg.. and you are "dead on" in your post. Especially that A & C was not a style itself but simply a movement that saw many variances in individual builders styles. For that matter the majority pf the many designers of the period were not wood-workers and never touched the furniture. It was made by hired craftsman at either their factory or sub-contracted out to small shops. A good example is Morris who designed a chair but wouldn't know the difference between a hand plane and a mallet in reality as he was just that.. a designer and the final joinery was left to the craftsmen who actually built it.
So I totally agree.. do the edges as you wish as there is no right or wrong... just was is practical and pleasing to your eye.
Regards...
Designers vs Craftsmen
Sarge,
Thanks - I have to be honest, I do cringe a little when I hear "Arts & Crafts" style - But it's just a symptom of my own intolerance, and need for growth,
Anyway, You're right on about designers/architect and the craftsmen they hired. Greene and Greene would be pretty unremarkable had it not been for John and Peter Hall. And Gustav stickley's best work was created designed by Harvey Ellis. Dard Hunter was the driving force behind the best Roycroft designs. Frank Lloyd Wright didn't build anything - I'm not even sure he actually had any degrees in anything either, but that's a whole 'nother story... And even the Morris chair - Well, it was Morris's company, but William Morris was more into graphics and textiles - I doubt very much he was ever hands on in the production of one of his namesake chairs - Which, by the way, was actually designed by Philip Webb, who most likley got the idea from some unknown village craftsman somewhere in the Cotswolds, or the outskits of Oxford.
I love your sentiments though "Do what ever pleases you"
After all, isn't this woodworking stuff supposed to be fun?
Best,
Gregory
BTW Greg... where precisely are you. Your site states Ashville.. Waynesville area? I understand quite a few makers and artist have located to the Asheville area which does cover some ground. I assume you are not down-town but in the out-lying area. Beautiful country around Asheville itself. I may take the wife for a swing through in the upcoming fall months when the beauty is at it's peak. I live about 35 miles NE of Atlanta just off I-85 and Ashville is in quick striking range. I have been curious about just how and what (craft related) is there since my last visit which unfortunately was at least 15 years ago.
Regards for a beautiful Sunday...
Where am I?
Sarge,
I'm just off of I-40 at exit 24, about 20 minutes west of Asheville, in a little area called Iron Duff.
Feel free to shoot me an email, and we can find a good time to come by and visit. Here's a link to my contact info
http://www.gregorypaolini.com/contactmailing/contact_us_08_2.htm
Looking forward to hearing from you!
-gp
different levels of edge easing
This photo shows three levels of edge easing.
The top edge is done with a block plane and touchd up with a sanding block on the corners.
The through tenons are knocked down with a sanding block;
The curved stretchers and legs are eases with sandpaper.
Take you pick.
Bret
A mission within a Mission
This will be a very low budget job. The wood is kind of special though. I work mainly with re-claimed woods, and this one is from an OLD Pic-nic Table, BEFORE they used treated wood. There will be a few "Dutchmen" involved as well, it was built with a bunch of bolts. I don't have a real small round-over bit, 1/4" is as small as I"ve got. I do have a good block plane though, so that might be the way to go. No Mortiser to make mortises with, just chisels and a big mallet. I think the "Brand Name" would be "Armstrong". I'll post a few more pictures as I go. Should be fun. A picture of the wood for the top of this thing, before gluing up and trimming:
A few more pictures
of how this thing is looking
=
Starting to look pretty good.
TV Table
as delivered. No stain, yet. Might just get a coat of varnish.
Whitedog,
Not clear on how "mission style" relates to edge treatments, but I'm pretty sure the male portion of dovetails assumes the superior positon. Assuming you know all about doggy style...
Ray
style points??
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