I make 18th c style furniture using the tools and techniques of the period. The resulting pieces are among the most accurate reproductions on the market today.
In 2005 and again in 2008, Early American Life Magazine chose me for their directory of the Top 200 Traditional Artisans in the U.S.
In addition to making period furniture, I write about 18th century woodworking for Popular Woodworking magazine, where I serve as a contributing editor.
I feel strongly that the tools used by 18th c craftsmen greatly influenced their work. By using these tools exclusively, I've found they are capable of producing wide variety of items efficiently.
SHOP NEWS:
August 22 - ALL SAW ORDERS SUSPENDED
I really appreciate the overwhelming response I've received for my tools. Thanks to all of you who have placed orders. But I have to stop accepting orders from new customers. Existing customers whose orders have not yet shipped may be permitted to increase their orders. See Arts & Mysteries for more information about what I'm doing and what to expect in the future.
Adam
June 11 - TOOLS FOR SALE!
On a recent trip to Colonial Williamsburg, I became interested in the reproduction saws used in the Anthony Hay cabinetshop. The saws reproduced and used were carefully patterned on a few surviving examples and some period documents from the third quarter of the 18th c.
CWF Master Mack Headley's saws.
I find these early designs compelling. The long saw blades are more rectangular than the Seaton chest saws. The tenon saws handles are so low the spine protrudes above the handle. Tests with these saws confirmed my initial suspicions. This feature allows the blade to cut deeper with no loss or perhaps even an increase in control. Generally the closer your hand's line of action is to the toothed edge, the more control you have. Think Japanese saw. The downside is this design is that it is intolerant of dull saws.
These are the saws I've decided to reproduce. These are the saws I've decided to offer for sale. I can guarantee you I won't be making saws for long. I've invested little in stream lining saw production. If you are at all interested in these saws, buy them now. Hey look at it this way; they may be collectors' items someday! The early Independence (now Lie-Nielsen) saws are!
Adam
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April 16 - Voted one of the best in 2008!
I've once again been selected by Early American Life magazine for inclusion in their prestigious Directory of Traditional American Craftsmen. Each year, a panel of judges including museum curators, dealers, and other experts, review submissions and choose the best of what they find. According to EAL's publisher Tess Rosch, "judges look for authentic design and workmanship...". "Scholarship, as well as the use of period tools and techniques, is particularly valued in this competition." The official press release states: "One goal of the Directory is to help preserve traditional handcrafts, part of our culture that is rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these skills were passed down from master to apprentice for hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to learn and master them. If our traditional arts are lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as Americans."
I couldn't agree more with EAL. And I'm doing just about everything I can to preserve and in many cases rediscover our craft heritage. I share my experience with woodworkers through the pages of Popular Woodworking magazine, through personal visits to woodworking groups, and demonstrate for visitors to Pennsbury Manor. But you have to do your part too. If preserving our past is important to you, be sure to patronize me and the other craftspeople in EALs directory. And help EAL continue their mission by becoming a subscriber. Look for the full list of craftsmen honored in the August issue of Early American Life magazine. It should be on news stands in late June.
Adam
August 22 - ALL SAW ORDERS SUSPENDED
I really appreciate the overwhelming response I've received for my tools. Thanks to all of you who have placed orders. But I have to stop accepting orders from new customers. Existing customers whose orders have not yet shipped may be permitted to increase their orders. See Arts & Mysteries for more information about what I'm doing and what to expect in the future.
Adam
June 11 - TOOLS FOR SALE!
On a recent trip to Colonial Williamsburg, I became interested in the reproduction saws used in the Anthony Hay cabinetshop. The saws reproduced and used were carefully patterned on a few surviving examples and some period documents from the third quarter of the 18th c.
CWF Master Mack Headley's saws.
I find these early designs compelling. The long saw blades are more rectangular than the Seaton chest saws. The tenon saws handles are so low the spine protrudes above the handle. Tests with these saws confirmed my initial suspicions. This feature allows the blade to cut deeper with no loss or perhaps even an increase in control. Generally the closer your hand's line of action is to the toothed edge, the more control you have. Think Japanese saw. The downside is this design is that it is intolerant of dull saws.
These are the saws I've decided to reproduce. These are the saws I've decided to offer for sale. I can guarantee you I won't be making saws for long. I've invested little in stream lining saw production. If you are at all interested in these saws, buy them now. Hey look at it this way; they may be collectors' items someday! The early Independence (now Lie-Nielsen) saws are!
Adam
===========================================
April 16 - Voted one of the best in 2008!
I've once again been selected by Early American Life magazine for inclusion in their prestigious Directory of Traditional American Craftsmen. Each year, a panel of judges including museum curators, dealers, and other experts, review submissions and choose the best of what they find. According to EAL's publisher Tess Rosch, "judges look for authentic design and workmanship...". "Scholarship, as well as the use of period tools and techniques, is particularly valued in this competition." The official press release states: "One goal of the Directory is to help preserve traditional handcrafts, part of our culture that is rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these skills were passed down from master to apprentice for hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to learn and master them. If our traditional arts are lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as Americans."
I couldn't agree more with EAL. And I'm doing just about everything I can to preserve and in many cases rediscover our craft heritage. I share my experience with woodworkers through the pages of Popular Woodworking magazine, through personal visits to woodworking groups, and demonstrate for visitors to Pennsbury Manor. But you have to do your part too. If preserving our past is important to you, be sure to patronize me and the other craftspeople in EALs directory. And help EAL continue their mission by becoming a subscriber. Look for the full list of craftsmen honored in the August issue of Early American Life magazine. It should be on news stands in late June.
Adam
