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This is long-term project being undertaken by Remmert Studios for those who wish to gain further insight into the world of high end furniture-making. Originally it began as a training program for our new studio artisans but we believe it could benefit others as well and have chosen to publish it here.
Remmert Studios Artisan Program
Hoadley’s Understanding Wood – select chapters
Chapter 1 – The Nature of Wood
Earlywood, Latewood, Pith, heartwood, sapwood
Bark when cut summer or winter?
Grain
Rays
Chapter 2 – Figure in Wood
Difference between figure and grain
Types of cuts
Rift
Flatsawn
Quartered
Types of figure
Curly
Birdseye
Crotch
Fiddleback/ Tiger maple
Ribbon or striped
Interlocking grain
Burl
Blister
Juvenile wood and reaction wood
Chapter 4 – Strength of Wood (CLICK TO VIEW)
How to orient wood for strength
Compression
Bending
Shearing
Beam mechanics
Chapter 6 – Water and Wood (CLICK TO VIEW)
Moisture content
Typical kiln dried
Typical air dried
Wood shrinkage
Tangential
Longitudinal
Radial
Types of warpage
Cup
Bow
Twist
Diamond
Crook
Kink
Chapter 7 – Coping With Dimensional Change in Wood (CLICK TO VIEW)
Preshrinking
Moisture absorption control
Design
Chapter 9 – Machining and Bending Wood
Three types of orthogonal cutting
Geometry of cutting edges
Chapter 10 – Joining Wood
Four types of joints
Nails
Screws
Chapter 11 – Adhesives and Gluing
Fundamentals of good joints
Properly dried wood
Close fit of parts
Clean cuts
Surface cleanliness
Shelf life of glue
Proper wetting
Proper clamp pressure
Chapter 12 – Finishing and Protecting Wood
Purpose of finish
Slow moisture loss/absorption
UV protection
Provide cleanable surface
Finishing tips
Temperature of workpiece
Mechanical Drawing Book
Chapter 3 – Lettering
Practice drawing letters and numbers
Chapter 4 – Drafting Constructions
Learn techniques for laying out geometry
Chapter 5 – Theory of Shape Description
Understand orthographic projection
Convert 3d to orthographic
Convert Orthographic to 3D
Chapter 6 – Sketching
Sketch isometric
Sketch perspective
Sketchup
Using the tools
http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html
Installing and using plugins
http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-download-and-install-plugins.html
Shortcuts
Use plugin tool to print list
Remmert Studios Project Format
Naming Conventions
Drawing settings
Fractional dimensions
1/64″ precision
Length snapping to 1/64″
Components
View Layouts
Overview (multiple views for large projects) with overall dimensions
Exploded View (multiple views for large projects)
Layouts of complex components
Cutlist view
Generating Cutlists
Export cutlist as .csv
Edit In Excel and save as Excel workbook.
Export Layouts as .svg
Material Selection
Drawing from Understanding Wood
Solid Wood
Plywood
MDF
Veneer
Partical Board
Layout techniques
Tools
Square
Pencil
Marking Knife
Marking Gauge
T-Bevel
Methods
Transferring lines around a board
Marking lines parallel to edge
Marking angled lines
Connecting two marks with a line
Finding the center between parallel lines
Marc Adams Joinery DVD
Hand Tools
Chisels
Tuneup and Sharpening
Trimming and Cutting techniques
Trimming and Chopping Practice
Saws
Tuneup and Sharpening
Cutting Techniques
Cutting Practice
Handplanes
Types of Planes
Block
Bench
Scraper
Smoothing
Bevel up vs. Bevel Down
Low Angle Planes
Tuneup and Sharpening
Fixtures
Planing Practice
Practice Hand-Cutting Joints
Single Tail Dovetail
Lap Joint
Mortise and Tenon
Two Tail Dovetail
Three Tail Dovetail
Four-Sided Box With Three Tails Per Joint
Veneering primer
Flattening
Cutting Techniques
Veneer Saw
Chisel
Knife
Veneer Slitter
Packetizing
Scroll Saw
Veneering Videos
Marc Adams
Paul Schurch optional
Marc Adams Safety DVD
Machinery primer
Discussion on Force and Control Points
Table Saw
Band Saw
Jointer
Drill Press
Router Table/Shaper
Bench Grinder
Buffer
Setup and Operation
Achieving Control and Accuracy
Jig-making primer
When to Use
Identifying Right Tool or Machine
Tips and Techniques for Good Performance
Surface Preparation
Overview
Sanding
Scraping
Hand-Planing
Finishing primer
Stains
Dye
Pigments
Binders
NGR Stain
Water-Base
Oil-Base
Toners
Glazes
Types of Top Coats
Pre Catalyzed Lacquer
Post Catalyzed Lacquer
Water-Base
Oil
Shellac
Polyurethane
Paint
Application Methods
Brush
Pad
Rag
Spray Gun
Jeff Jewitt’s hands on finishing video
Furniture Design
Periods of Furniture-Making
Books for Study
Modern Cabinetmaking pages 23-31
Greene and Greene: Poems of Wood and Light
In the Arts and Crafts Style
Common Design Elements
Balance
In Symmetry
In Asymmetry
Proportion
Golden Rectangle
Golden Spiral
Progression
Shaker Method
Linear
Negative Space
Important! Reason Behind Every Design Choice
Project Planning(CLICK TO VIEW)
Purpose or Function of Piece
Generating the Form or Idea
Doodle Many Ideas
Create Variations
Refine One Idea
Evaluation
Choosing Materials
Choosing Joinery
Develop the Model
Troubleshoot Potential Issues
Identify Fabrication Processes
Create Working Drawings
Generate Bill of Materials