Function:

I am a visual artist and woodworker creating functional and character filled furniture and accessories using the many techniques I have accumulated over the years. I received my BFA in 1998 and have since done fine art, finish carpentry, cabinet installation, and faux finishing. I have been doing original furniture design and custom woodwork since 2010.
My goal and purpose is to combine these elements and skills to make functional beautiful furniture that is inviting as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Making butterfly joints for a driftwood plank bench!

So, I have never done this traditional oriental joining technique before, having said that, I also decided to go my own way and combine elements from Tibetan and Japanese joints. The Tibetan joint, which I have seen employed on antique prayer tables is more of an s shape, rather than this h shape I have decided to go with. The Japanese version is basically opposing v shapes, this seemed stronger than both to me, as it is a double sided pull, and the right angle will provide plenty of wood to glue contact, as well as joining across the grain from the Osage Orange which I am making the butterflies out of, to these really well weathered planks of driftwood doug fir, which I am assuming were part of a dock at some point, judging by the markings.

The initial slots were made on my mitre saw, then finished out with my Japanese flush cut saw.

Next, I drilled along the line to remove excess material. I then went in with a chisel and hammer to get the surface close to square.
 

Almost there!

I then go back in with the flush cut saw to remove most of the irregularities.

After a bit of filing, looking pretty good!

Repeating the process on the other side!

All 5 are now notched out, but will require a bit of fine tuning tomorrow when I can run saws and sanders without the neighbors calling the 5 0 on me.
 

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