Fine Woodworking Takes a Special Approach

Fine woodworking is a far cry from the whittling-on-wood activity that many children and adults engage in as a way to pass the time. Such a pastime creates shapes like animals, people and flowers but their qualities in terms of form and function are nowhere near the standards of craftsmen whose passion in fine woodworking creates works of art in the furniture and fixture industry.

But fine woodworking demands a special approach in doing the tasks, a special eye in seeing the materials, and a special treatment for the finished product. The works of art, the things of beauty and the functional pieces of furniture in fine woodworking are the handiwork of a master.

Unlike the wood whittlers, fine woodworking masters have a clear step-by-step plan about the tasks necessary to complete the project, a comprehensive list of the materials, tools and equipment necessary for the job, and a detailed plan including schematic diagrams for the project. This is the special approach we are talking about – that of a consummate master who knows exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

Without a clear, concise and comprehensive plan in place, any woodworking project will be filled with mistakes on many areas. For example, the furniture will have ill-fitting joints, ill-balanced legs and unsightly decorative trims, all of which could have been prevented with a good plan in the first place.
But even when you have the appropriate plan in place, the master woodworker must take the time to do every task, use every material and tool, and see the results in a careful and skillful manner. Most fine woodworkers will even say that the finished work at every step of the way must be perfect for many reasons.
First, each component of the furniture or fixture must fit perfectly with the other parts. Every part fits like a piece to a jigsaw puzzle.

Second, there are little to no second chances in most fine woodworking projects. One mistake on a single part can undo hours and hours of work poured into the other components.

To say that becoming a fine woodworker takes plenty of patience, perseverance and passion as well as planning is an understatement. Fine woodworkers are a breed unto themselves and we cannot blame them for feeling this way.