My Failed Attempt to Steam Bend Kiln Dried Wood

My current project is Curtis Buchanan's Continuous Arm Windsor Chair.  One of the main parts and most difficult to construct for me was bending the arm.  Since I don't have a ready supply of green wood, nor the space for splitting and riving wood, I thought I would attempt to steam bend kiln dried wood...How hard could that be?  Well, it was a waste of time.

A stubborn woodworker shaping a piece of kiln dried wood for bending.

Continuous Arm Windsor Chair Seat with CNC Router

This is an explanation of how I created a 3D model, and cut a Continuous Arm Windsor Chair seat with my CNC Router.  The plans I used for this seat are from Curtis Buchanan's Continuous Arm Windsor Chair.

SketchUp View on 3D Model created from plans.

"The Shop" with my New CNC Router

Cutting my first project on my CNC - The Spoon

Mission Desk - Veneering Panels and Desk Top

I had done small veneering projects previously, but nothing on this scale.  But, I enjoy challenges, and this was definitely going to be a big one.  I chose to use book matched pieces of mesquite veneer for the side panels, and create three reverse diamond veneer patterns for the desk top.  After taking a few photos of the veneer, I used my imaging software to create a pattern that was appealing to me as seen below.

Reverse Diamond Pattern with Mesquite

Kitchen Table Project

This is a Kitchen Table I completed in January 2013 that was inspired by a table I saw in the film 'Julie and Julia'.  This is the table seen in Julia Childs Paris kitchen.  I assume that the style of this table would be a traditional country kitchen table.

Jig for Cutting Veneer

This 1/4" x 4' x 2' plywood veneer cutting board is backed with 22 gauge steel. Using this configuration with a straight edge and Magswitches aids in holding the veneer down and stabilizing the straight edge.

Mission Desk - Design, Milling and Sizing Lumber

I began designing this desk during the fall of 2007. As most projects go, other priorities changed my schedule. Construction began the spring of 2010. The project was finally finished January 2011.  My projects take way to long to complete.

Jig Saw Mounted in Router Table

This is a handy way to mount a Jig Saw to cut material on top of the table to create a poor-mans version of the Rockwell BladeRunner.