Sawdust on the Floor

Like a lot of woodworkers, I am always looking for sources for information on one of my favorite subject, Woodworking.  One of those sources of that information is the multitude of woodworking magazines that are published each month.  I don’t subscribe to any of these magazines on monthly basis but instead I tend to purchase the ones that contain articles that are of interest to me.  Just like most things in life, some of these magazines are better then others.  Out of all those published, “Fine Woodworking” has always been on somewhat of a pedestal for me.  The articles in the magazine are normally chocked full of useful information.  Articles that help woodworkers improve their skills as woodworkers.   Articles that inspire woodworkers.   That’s why I was very surprised by an article in the December 2009 issue on” How to Handle Plywood”, by Gregory Paolini. 

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting out of the article, perhaps information on how to safely cut full sheets of plywood in a one man or woman shop.  Or maybe something on how to finish plywood so that it doesn’t end up looking like… well plywood with stain on it.  Instead the article had gems such as “you will need a truck to get full size sheets of plywood home from the store” Or “slide the sheets off of the racks at the store onto sheet rock carts”.  To me this is not information, these things are common sense. The article did contain useful information on using a cross cut sled for cutting plywood on the tablesaw, or using a router and straight edge to produce a clean cut on plywood that has been rough cut with a circular saw. 

Now I don’t blame Mr. Paolini, his article had to meet the requirements of the editorial staff at the magazine.  After all they, not the author set the tone of the articles.  Hopefully, this is not the direction that the magazine is headed. Looking at Mr. Paolini’s other articles and his workmanship I acknowledge that he is a skilled and informed craftsman so the tenure of the article surprised me. 

You know I have been thinking about the article, I do know what I was hoping to see in the article.  There are a couple of newer products on the market such as the EZee-Feed system that helps the one man shops to cut plywood in an accurate and safe manner.  Or the Gorilla Gripper  that is used for hauling plywood from your truck to your shop.  To me those are products that help in handling plywood.

The Woodworking world and in fact the entire world lost an icon this week. Sam Maloof, whose simple, elegant wooden furniture, which he designed and made by hand, made him a central figure in the postwar American crafts movement, died at his home in Alta Loma, Calif., on Thursday. He was 93.

Sam Maloof was a self taught woodworker, who is known for his distinctive rockers. The rockers featured gentle curved forms that resembled antelope horns. His rockers are featured in some of the most renowned collections around the world, including the White House.

Despite all of the fame that was bestowed upon Maloof, he remained true to style of woodworking. His work was all hand made, there were no nails or other metal fasteners used. Maloof, believed in quality joinery, his work was finished by repeated sanding and polishing. Maloof, didn’t work from a defined set of plans, but let the projects evolve as he worked them.

As a testament to value of Maloof’s work, one of his rockers sold last year for $51,000.00 at auction. When he spoke of his work, he explained that he wanted his work to be used and enjoyed; his chairs were meant to be sat in, not put upon display.

As the world mourns the loss of Sam Maloof, I want to take the time to thank Sam Maloof for his dedication to his craft, and the enjoyment that his work brought to us all.