Rustic Woodworking,Anyone?

[EzRidr]

Hello,all!

My wife and I have taken to "Rustic","Adirondack","Log" type furnishings, and are wondering if any of you out there have deviated from traditional woodworking techniques to include this approach. There are many wonderful creations out there by an ever-widening artist base.We have found many stores on a trip to the Lake George/Lake Placid region of New York state,and if this rustic house remodel ever gets done, hope to build the furniture that fills it. Would like to hear from anyone who has experience with this medium, and some techniques and tool suppliers you have found. Drawknifing the bark from a log,seeing the beauty of the wood inside,watching the grains change with each pass has brought this traditionalist to a new sense of what sparks my interest, and hope others may have something to offer. Happy Woodworking!

[pampine]

I'm getting into this a bit; although so far have debarked with a bark spud (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=20121&category=1%2C41131%2C41140&prevSearchPage=wood%2FpageSearchResults%2Easp&pageGroup=1), but haven't gotten to the small logs yet on which a drawknife will work better.

My first project is sort of a wattle screen in the front of the house. If you need some inspiration, check out Doug Stowe's music stand (http://www.dougstowe.com/furniture/music_stand.htm).

Pam

[applesauce]

I enjoy rustic working, too. Had a little trouble with sawdust while making regular furniture, so decided to try rustic. I like decorating my pieces with mosiac twig work, and also like to keep the roots intact on my table legs. It's fun, but, unlike making traditional furniture, you never know how it's all going to come together until it's finished. So far everything has turned out okay, but, if something doesn't turn out, there's always the wood stove.
Applesauce

[TimBurrGirl (Guest)]

I have made a lot of rustic (I call mine, primitive pine) and log furniture for our home and patio. I started out by hauling some timber from the mountains. Often, I get my logs from a local company that supplies logs for fences. What wood I use depends most on the project and how rustic the final look. I have also savaged pencil-sized willow branches which were used for rustic shutters.
For all women listening, though, listen good. Logs are heavy and can be a physical drain on your body. For me, I wrecked a shoulder which required surgery--dumb me, if only I had rested more or asked for more help, more often. (But, the help usually has opinions!)
I also concur with Applesauce that you don't always know how the end project will turn out.
Since this kind of woodworking usually requires improvization you should expect to build your own jigs and think creatively with what tools you have. For example, I use a straight bit in my table mounted router to trim away wood to make the peg at the end of the log.
TimBurrGirl in Idaho

[trenner]

TimBurrGirl,
Just curious what part of Idaho you are in. I'm in Craigmont just south of Lewiston.
Terri

[TimBurrGirl]

Terri-I'm 30 miles west of Boise, in Middleton.

[Dana Roark Van Pelt]

EZ for future information, American Sycamore, Delta & Porter-Cable woodworking school will be offering Rustic Furniture building for the 2003 season. We have two different types to offer...Hickory and the large Cedar furniture classes. Hickory is especially my favorite, we have furnished our school's Lodge with Ole Hickory. But I am finding since our travels out west to Montana the Cedar furniture has even more character. So like you I must learn this artform!!! Take a look at Amberjean.com (http://Amberjean.com) she has some incredible furniture pieces from Montana!
Check out www.americansycamoreretreat.com, and request for next years catalog.

Dana

[mindy (Guest)]

i am new to the world on-line forum's. i am owner-designer of a log furniture company in minnesota called wilderness window. i have been designing cedar log furniture for about 5 years. all my work is hand crafted and totally custom . every piece is different. i also do outdoor railings and outdoor furniture. i get my wood from way up north in minnesota and is naturally cured. i enjoy my work and keep extremely busy. keep me in mind for your wish list of furniture. i start with the drawknife. i've made many different pieces, from little to very large. i am just getting a web-site put together. my e-mail address is wildernesswindow@msn.com. sincerely, mindy larson

[Stefanie]

Well it sounds like you LOVE wood, in it's natural state, as do I. I make rocking horses (or goats or donkeys or bighorn sheep or whatever four footed critter you want) from small logs (Avocado). Definitely very RUSTIC. I handcarve the features, giving each a unique and sweet personality. The ears, mane and tail are made of leather, and the saddle (also leather) is accented with brass. The legs are also covered in leather. The biggest challenge, of course, is working with non-dimensional wood - everything must be eyeballed and hand-fitted, and it takes a lot of TIME. I thoroughly enjoy every minute, however, and look forward to retiring from my "real job" to do this full time.