New BBC4 Series 'Genius of British Woodworkers'

[Yorkie]

Those members of the forum who are interested in woodworking might like to know of a new 3-part series which starts tomorrow night, Thurs 10 Jan at 9pm on BBC4 entitled 'Carved with Love'. Tomorrow night's one-hour long programme is about Chippendale. Find out more here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pxx3r

Enjoy!

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for adding this David; I'll be watching it.

Kind regards, Col.

[pwdrive]

Is Grindlin Gibbons featured.

Lawrence.

[Yorkie]

Is Grindlin Gibbons featured.

Lawrence.

Yes Lawrence, in next week's edition.

[pwdrive]

Ta David.

[Retired]

Hi,

What a refreshing change this program was; no swearing; violence or murders which predominate most TV programs these days.

How sad it is that such a brilliant woodworker died virtually penniless and doesn't even have a marked grave.

Whilst he died with less than £30 to his name single items of Chippendale furniture command £4 million in auctions. A truly great man and an inspiration to woodworkers around the world.

I've owned a copy of The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker's Director. Thomas Chippendale. A Reprint of the Third Edition for many years. The drawings are top class and were done before CAD was invented.

I was particularly interested in the short clip showing the guy shading veneer using hot sand to make a traditional fan. I've actually seen a demonstration of this technique years ago whilst visiting John Boddy's; the sand used is silver sand and whilst the technique is extremely simple the results are outstanding.

I've now converted my workshop for woodworking and plan to do more veneering as I find the subject fascinating.

Hopefully more such programs will be made because surely there can't be many more ways left to kill someone on TV.

Kind regards, Col.

[AlanBeckett]

I wish they'd have spent more time with the modern versions instead of a quick clip of gluing. It didn't do justice to the craftsmanship that had gone into it.
Next week's should be good. I'm actually looking forward to it unlike most other programmes.

Alan

[Retired]

Hi,

Modern versions Big Al?

I would like to see a new series covering old style furniture production. how the wood is air dried then converted to dimensioned size using old machinery and hand tools. Assembled using hot hide glue then going through the finishing stages.

I use modern permanent adhesives for new work but I've always used hot hide glue wherever possible during my radio/TV cabinet restorations. Veneering using the hammer method and hot hide glue is a real challenge for a novice but once the basics are mastered and the veneer stops playing games it becomes a most enjoyable pastime.

It would be interesting to learn how Chippendale ensured his mahogany was dry enough to withstand 250 years use without distortion or joints falling apart; this alone demonstrates the long term strength of hot hide glue and even after such a prolonged period should repairs ever be needed the hide glued joints will still separate without damage.

It will be interesting to see the wood carving in the next program.

Kind regards, Col.

[AlanBeckett]

Col,

I meant the (I suppose) Reproductions that were being made.

Alan

[pwdrive]

Air drying wood was generally done by stickering it, the top of the pile would have been covered over. The moisture content for most species can be guessed by it's wieght when you pick it up. As far as I know Cuban and Honduras mahogany were the favourites. Mahogany is a naturally stable wood.

Lawrence.