Up until my box-making class, I kind of thought that the Woodworkers’ Club was simply a place where people could come and use top of the line equipment to build things for their homes. Little did I know that it was also housing some truly amazing artists.
During my first two classes there, I think I was still too unfamiliar with the equipment and projects to let my eyes leave my instructors for very long. I remembered some faces of the people in the shop but nothing too specific. During the box-making class however, I felt more at ease and allowed my eyes and mind to wander while waiting for my turn on a piece of equipment. That is how I discovered Bob (this is very likely not his name but like a dummy, I can’t remember it). I had seen Bob at the shop before- I mainly remembered him for his long hair and confidence around the shop.
First thing Saturday morning Bob had come into the classroom while we were gathering and asked very loudly to our instructor (who I later realized was a friend of his), “Are you going to be using the table saw?” Our instructor nodded and smiled. “Well get on with it. I need to use it too!” He stormed out of the room as quickly as he had entered. I was surprised but I also had heard that there was a rule that the classes were supposed to be given first use of the machines over members.
When we later went into the shop, I watched Bob. Why did he have another man with him who seemed to do more watching than helping? What are they building? Luckily, I didn’t have to ponder long. I think I must not have been the only student watching them. Our instructor shared that Bob, in his opinion, made amazing rocking chairs. The man with him that day had purchased a rocking chair from Bob for his wife many years ago. Now, he had flown in from Europe to watch/assist Bob with building a second rocking chair. The man made a joke about how many arguments him and his wife had been in over who could sit in the rocking chair that the only solution was to get another one.
WHAT? Amazing! Bob’s talent was at a level that a random customer had sought him out, years later, to fly across the Atlantic to join him while he made another rocking chair. I had never seen a finished rocking chair of Bob’s but I didn’t need to- that told me they must be wonderful.
I know, not much on the class itself. Well, I took the class after a request from my dad to make a box for him to hold some of his measuring devices for work. The class was great and taught by an amazing man who was helpful with every question I asked. The first day I had time after the class, I went and purchased 3 pieces of lumber and am designing a box to fit my dad’s specifications. Takeaway from the class: 1) again, jigs, sleds and jigs are a must for precise work.