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Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Perfect or perfectly acceptable ?

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Perfect or perfectly acceptable ?

#1

Maurice

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English scribe timber frame. No dressed timber here. Just rough sawn green timber straight from the mill. Everything is referenced from that black ink line. So yes, none of those joints are perfectly tight at the shoulder's because of shrinkage and twisting as it dries out. But over time the shear weight of those principle rafters will close the gap. 
So it's a good example of what I call workmanlike joinery. Perfectly functional but not cosmetically perfect.
Working timber green is so much easier and faster. It cuts like butter. Cypress is very knotty and brittle once it dries out. 
Sure, I can do perfect. I can do the fancy stuff too. But there is a freedom in this kind of work and those rough sawn beams to me look great. People are shocked to see it. They are used to seeing my fine execution.
I bring this up because it's not healthy to suggest that only Studley tool chests are craftsmanship. I beg to differ. It can be the simplest roughest thing if it's done right.
I like tool marks. I will never scrub those ink lines off. I will leave the tapered pegs rough and untrimmed. Bird shit and weather staining ? It all stays as is. No sanding, no painting, no planing or sealing. The earth walls will get whitewashed but only coarse smoothing. Texture softens the reflected light. Makes for a relaxing vibe.
Seriously. And the smell of raw timber will always repel the insects and kill any chance of mildew. 
THAT is the Zen of craftsmanship. Peace.
Quiet. Soft light and silence. 
Don't let the fine line steal the essence. 
It has its place but imperfection is also perfect. 
Cheers 🍻.

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