I had a beautiful piece of air dried, storm fallen, well seasoned, English oak in my stack in the workshop. No doubt it was meant for something boat related but I can’t for the life of me remember exactly what bit. I vaguely remember there being a piece way back, when I first started buying the materials for the 14’ sailing dinghy that I couldn’t fathom it’s intended use, even as I dragged it in the door.
So what better piece to use for a little posh prospective chest, designed by Mike Pekovich over in the states. I admire his approach toward design and woodworking in the he doesn’t shy away from accepting that the Timber will move and joints, particularly flush ones, will show their age very quickly as soon as the humidity changes. Why not then, make joints that ‘don’t finish flush’ so that they will remain proud from new all the way through? His understanding of proportions and weights (as in the relative thicknesses of things) also draws me towards his design. So that’s what I’m doing for now. Practicing my hand dovetailing and just generally making sawdust.
