What Defines Fine Woodworking?

[JoeyGee]

No, not the magazine. I know what that is .

I admit, I stole this thread idea from Woodnet a few years ago, but it is an interesting one. We all have a fairly good idea of what fine woodworking is, but are there firm parameters? What are they? Is it entirely based on traditional techniques?

I'll start with the few from the filched thread that I can remember:

1) Reliance on traditional joinery rather than mechanical fasteners.

2) Tight fitting joints, with no gaps.

3) Strong and durable finishes, suitable for the finished piece's purpose.

What else? What is your definition(s)?

[Uncle Cracker]

If I do it, it's woodworking... If Cabinetman does it, it's fine woodworking...

[drumpriest]

Fine woodworking is when the project is done, and you are stressing over every little thing that didn't quite go right, and the wife says "looks fine to me!"

Elegance, beauty and functionality combined creates what I think of as fine furniture. There are certain features to a project that scream fine furniture to me, though having then doesn't guarantee the opinion. Inlay, mortise and tenon, creative artistic dovetails, marquetry, being well balanced in form, etc...

[Anna]

At my skill level, fine woodworking is when you stop using a hammer when you're assembling your cabinetry.

[cabinetman]

If I do it, it's woodworking... If Cabinetman does it, it's fine woodworking...

Thanks for the kind words. How much did we agree on?
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[cabinetman]

Actually, the differentiation could be purely semantical. As for the points set forth in the OP:
1) Reliance on traditional joinery rather than mechanical fasteners.
2) Tight fitting joints, with no gaps.
3) Strong and durable finishes, suitable for the finished piece's purpose.
All make up for "fine" woodworking. I think it goes beyond just that word. There are degrees of craftsmanship based on one's skill level. We don't always have a choice in what and how we do something. Time, money, materials, knowledge, tools and space play a part in the equation.
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[footprintsinconc]

to me fine ww is when you make pieces that are going to be used as exterior or interior furniture/decoration regardless of what jointing method used. it is the tight tolerance, closed joints and attention to detail that makes fine ww.

my 2.35 cents

[Uncle Cracker]

Thanks for the kind words. How much did we agree on?

The bill's in the mail...

[LinuxRandal]

All make up for "fine" woodworking. I think it goes beyond just that word. There are degrees of craftsmanship based on one's skill level. We don't always have a choice in what and how we do something. Time, money, materials, knowledge, tools and space play a part in the equation.
.

Well said. Look at Ancient Egyptian furniture, or old Japanese homes. They didn't have nails, yet in some antique furniture I have seen, nails weren't always hid. (square cut), and some of it is still seen as fine furniture. So opinions, skills and materials vary.

[leehljp]

Fine Wood Working: ability to cut 1/128 inch or 1/4 of a mm! My eyes can see it, my hands can't move that little!

[RodKirby]

How about: the difference between a Carpenter and a Cabinet maker?

[leehljp]

How about: the difference between a Carpenter and a Cabinet maker?

When I was a kid in the 50's, they were the same.

[cabinetman]

When I was a kid in the 50's, they were the same.

Hank

Funny you should mention that. In Florida one needs a "Certificate Of Competency" to install cabinets. No "CC" is needed to build cabinets. The test for the "CC" is the same test for carpenters. Go figure.
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[charliex]

Rod's shop cabinets.

[Bruce Cohen]

Any project you make and still have the same number of fingers that you started with.

Also, anything that makes your face smile. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or something like that.

Bruce

BTW has anyone seen anything that Cab has made


I just had to get that zinger in.