About Amish FurnitureTobin Talks Shop: Collect Amish Hand Tools For Your Own ShopMonday, April 16th, 2012Opinions about hand tools are as many and varied as woodworkers themselves. But, by spending a little time in woodworking forums online where people were discussing which hand tools would be used to create the most authentic old-world Amish furniture, here is a list I’ve compiled for anybody who wants to get started collecting on the advice of some more experienced carpenters:
May I please do the dishes tonight?Sunday, January 15th, 2012
I ordered this ladder/stool so my cat could more easily climb up on the counter to eat. (I know that will sound strange to many of you! But he's family.)
Chisels, Planers and AugersSunday, November 13th, 2011While there are many uses for power tools in Amish furniture-making shops, there are some hand tools that simply cannot be replaced. Three good examples of these hand tools are: chisels, planers and augers.
Chisels are used to chip away portions of wood, planers are used to smooth the surface of boards and augers are hand drills. It’s easy to see how each of these old-fashioned tools might come in handy for the more intricate, delicate aspects of furniture making, even th... Tobin Talks Shop: Diesel Engine-Driven Power ToolsMonday, November 7th, 2011
In an earlier post I discussed the fact that the majority of Amish wood shops operate power equipment in order to produce their furniture pieces consistently and efficiently. Vintage hand tools are still used by some craftsmen, but the majority of shops primarily use electricity. Because 110 volt current running through wires in the walls or conduit pipe along the walls represents connection to the outside world, standard electrical wiring is not the norm. The Amish believe in keeping separate from influences of the outside world, and that... How The Amish Became Well-Known For Furniture BuildingMonday, October 17th, 2011Many years ago the timber industry employed men from the Amish community as loggers and equipment operators in sawmills. Although most of the timber was hardwood, meaning oak, walnut and hickory, some was evergreen softwood, the scraps of which were used to build pallets. Amish-owned businesses in the timber industry and pallet-making industry led naturally to a wide commercial opportunity for furniture making, since generations of Amish men were well-known as cabinet makers, furniture makers and casket makers in their own small, personal shops. Manufacturing the wooden parts of Amish buggi... Tobin Talks Shop: Hand Tools In Amish Furniture Making – Bench PlaneMonday, July 18th, 2011
If you have harvested wood from hardwood trees of your own, and you're thinking you might want to try your hand at making some furni... New TV cabinet makes everybody happy!Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
We worked with Toby from the Amish Furniture Factory from the start of our project. We had specific design needs and he was very helpful in getting all of our needs met. Promised delivery date was... Looking Good Enough for a Nap Right NowThursday, June 23rd, 2011
We absolutely love this bed!!! The workmanship and quality of the bed is outstanding!! Can't thank you enough for a job well done!!! Ordering ... Tobin Talks Shop: Hand Tools In Amish Furniture Making – Mortising ChiselWednesday, May 25th, 2011
Amish craftsmen often use old-world tools to create their heirloom furniture. One of the most common is the chisel used to cut the ends of table legs so that they fit together in the classic mortise and tenon joinery. Mortise and tenon joinery looks a little bit like puzzle pieces that fit and stabilize perfectly.
A mortising chisel is a very unique tool that most people would not recognize in a photo or eve... Hood’s Leg Mission Dining TableMonday, May 23rd, 2011
Just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with my new table. It looks even... |
