18th c. House Joiner & Planemaker
Demonstrations

House building in the 18th century was a labor intensive process that required the skills of many tradesmen. While the carpenter hewed and joined the timber frame "bones" of the building, it was the house joiner who crafted the fabric of its interior woodwork. With a basic set of hand tools, the house joiner produced the raised and feather edge paneling, wainscoting, decorative moldings, and window sash so familiar in period houses and public buildings. I make and use hand planes and other tools used by the house joiner to demonstrate the process of transforming rough lumber into the elements of a finished 18th century home.

Smoothing a board with a hand plane — Image courtesy P. Kienle

Handplanes — Period and reproduction handplanes and tools

Cornice plane in action — Preparing to "ride" the cornice plane... Image courtesy of Mary from Holliston

Finished cornice molding — ... and the result. Image courtesy of Mary from Holliston

A demonstration day at the Wentworth House, September 2014 — A typical demonstration day.

Reproduction joiner's chest — Reproduction 18th century Joiner's Chest and a sample of raised paneling.

Dalaway handsaw reproductions — Dalaway Handsaw Reproductions

Window sash — Window Sash ready for trimming.

Customer — Motivation: When the customer needed it yesterday... Image courtesy A. Comjean