The making process. High quality bespoke individual hardwood furniture craftsman made to commission, one offs. Oak, cherry, maple, mahogany, walnut, chestnut,glass,metal,stone

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The process of making a bespoke item of furniture

Seeing a completed piece of furniture it is hard to imagine each skilled stage of the process that results in a high quality long lasting outcome. The initial stage of discussing with the client their requirements preparing drawings and making modifications is just the starting point for the personal service and loving care that goes into a one off piece of furniture.

A detailed scale drawing is produced to show how the product will appear and agreed with the client.

After calculating quantities allowing for up to 100% wastage in some cases, the timber ordered is delivered in sawn planks. These are inspected, marked and sawn to rough sizes for the various components of the item.

The pieces are then planed flat and smooth on one face and then 'thicknessed' on the other to produce wood of even thickness.

After planing the edges straight and square, planks are biscuit jointed, glued and cramped together to form large enough boards for the wider components.

Templates have to be cut an smoothed for any non-square detailing or edges. For example the back and arms of this settle.

Here the back is shown after it has been roughly cut with a bandsaw, then edges smoothed with a router using the template. The detail has then been added again with the router and a template.

Dovetail joints are cut in the sides to accept the seat and rails at the back. A groove is also cut for the back to slot into to allow for timber movement with changing humidity.

The router table being used to add bead detail to the arms.

The seat in its dovetail housing in the sides is glued and cramped together with the rails, checking everything is square.

Mortices are cut to accept the steel bar used for the shoe racks.

The steel bars are drilled for the screws to fix them to the removeable racks.

Samples of trial finishes are prepared to show the client.

After fixing the centre leg and slotting in the back the work is ready for finishing.

Having sanded the settle to a fine finish, a dye is applied (in this case) to darken the wood slightly.

Several coats of Danish Oil are applied to protect and enhance the oak.

The finished piece complete with steel shoe and boot racks.

A detailed scale drawing is produced to show how the product will appear and agreed with the client.	After calculating quantities allowing for up to 100% wastage in some cases, the timber ordered is delivered in sawn planks. These are inspected, marked and sawn to rough sizes for the various components of the item.	The pieces are then planed flat and smooth on one face and then 'thicknessed' on the other to produce wood of even thickness.	After planing the edges straight and square, planks are biscuit jointed, glued and cramped together to form large enough boards for the wider components.
Templates have to be cut an smoothed for any non-square detailing or edges. For example the back and arms of this settle.	Here the back is shown after it has been roughly cut with a bandsaw, then edges smoothed with a router using the template. The detail has then been added again with the router and a template.	Dovetail joints are cut in the sides to accept the seat and rails at the back. A groove is also cut for the back to slot into to allow for timber movement with changing humidity.	The router table being used to add bead detail to the arms.
The seat in its dovetail housing in the sides is glued and cramped together with the rails, checking everything is square.	Mortices are cut to accept the steel bar used for the shoe racks.	The steel bars are drilled for the screws to fix them to the removeable racks.	Samples of trial finishes are prepared to show the client.
After fixing the centre leg and slotting in the back the work is ready for finishing.	Having sanded the settle to a fine finish, a dye is applied (in this case) to darken the wood slightly.	Several coats of Danish Oil are applied to protect and enhance the oak.	The finished piece complete with steel shoe and boot racks.