Sofa Server: Episode 3
Posted 4 July 2018
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The combination of the stopped housing with the tenons requires careful layout and cutting. Once the tenons are cut, they can be fitted to the exact width of the mortises.
Beautifully done Paul! Thank you.
Please, Paul, don’t apologize for the ‘tuning’ taking too long. The fettling of the joints is a huge part of the learning curve for me, and I would guess many others. Taking a joint from ‘pretty good’ to ‘perfect’ is the true challenge, and I get huge value out of listening to your thought process as you carefully pull it all together. Thank you.
Completely agree with Ian on this. I enjoy hearing you ‘talk to yourself’ as you’re working. Sometimes it’s the little aside comments that make me go “Aha, that’s why he’s doing that.” It’s refreshing to see a video with all the backups, the extra little touches here and there instead of a finished, polished piece that loses all the heart and soul of the person working. Every time I see someone make a video that has been edited to remove all the missteps I think of the joke about “how to draw a cat” The one that shows one frame with a circle, then the next frame with another circle for the body, then the next frame is a finished cat drawing. Don’t ever edit out all those ‘tuning up’ parts. They are what make your videos so likable. Almost every minute is a teaching minute for me.
You are teaching an old dog new tricks . Thank you !!
Shoulder work is among my greatest challenges, and thus your techniques to achieve square and even shoulders is instructive. The ends, when the saw cut is the focus for the shoulder, as opposed to the dovetails portions, are especially challenging. Thank you for your special attention to these issues.
The second area of judgment, which you bring out nicely, is the fitting of the piece and assessing tightness of the joint. You are correct in leaving in the film your listening to the tightness, and your remedial work to achieve an excellent fit.
Does this combination of joinery prevent racking?
I was wondering how you would accurately place the tenons. It initially looked like a nightmare, but turned out to be relatively simple. I think half of woodworking is skill, the other half tricks of the trade.
Hi Paul. When marking the depth of the second shoulder using the calipers, I’m wondering if you might have another suggestion for how to get that done without the need for calipers?
A nice and good practical demonstration for this special combined joint.
The deeper smaller tenons largely improve the resistence to bending between the two pieces.
Much thanks to Paul Sellers and his team for all what you are doing here.
Best wishes.
I learn or relearn something in every one of your videos Paul. Thank you
Paul, I never doubt your skill with the tools and am familiar with your often quoted,”choke up on the chisel”
However, things do happen and therefore I ask you to use a sacrificial board when chopping through dovetails and, as shown in the video, the relief cut between the tenons on the sofa server. I’d hate to see you spoil the surface of your bench! I’ve already done it to mine!
As usual, a very clear and concise video. Keep them coming. THANK YOU.
When talking to myself while doing this sort of work….afraid I tend to add a little bit of cussing….sometimes it even helps…