In the above video, Colonial Williamsburg Journeyman Cabinetmaker Brian Weldy shares a special tutorial on how to assemble, dry fit, and clamp up a traditional 18th century walnut chair, using clamps, winding sticks, a wooden mallet, and a folding rule.
This video was filmed a couple months ago, but on my visit to the Hay Cabinetmaking Shop just a few days ago (on the 4th of July) Brian was happy to inform me that he had finished his 7-year apprenticeship (wow) and had been promoted to a Journeyman Cabinetmaker!
It amazes me how much time the 18th century craftsmen had to put into learning their trade before they could move up in their profession. Brian is certainly a very skilled cabinetmaker and artist, as evidenced by his work on these walnut chairs.
I filmed this skill tutorial (and several other tutorials) inside the 18th Century Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop at Colonial Williamsburg.
Here are all my videos & articles of the Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop at Colonial Williamsburg:
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 1
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 2
- Anthony Hay’s Cabinetmaking Shop Tour part 3
- Secret Mitered Dovetails with Kaare Loftheim at Colonial Williamsburg
- Treadle Lathe Wood Turning at Colonial Williamsburg Hay Cabinet Shop
- Resawing Wide Boards at Colonial Williamsburg Hay Cabinet Shop
- Dry Fitting a Walnut Chair with Brian Weldy at Colonial Williamsburg
- Stunning Colonial Williamsburg Mother Plane Collection
Below are a few photographs that I took at the Anthony Hay cabinet maker shop at historical Colonial Williamsburg:
Discover a treasure trove of woodworking knowledge by visiting the Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop blog.
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Interesting Video Josh, thanks for sharing! Also, I’m just curious; Did they mention the use of any sandpaper at the shop? I’ve wondered how they smooth the carvings and curved pieces..
You’re welcome! o, they didn’t mention anything about sandpaper. But sandpaper is usually used very sparingly in traditional shops (smoothing planes, card scrapers, & even shavings are preferred for most surfaces) but I do know that sandpaper dates back to the Egyptians, so don’t feel too bad about using it on your carvings & curved pieces!
They don’t use sandpaper at the shop but when required they use ‘shagreen’, an old term for shark skin.