When I started working on church furniture back in 1983. I was taught by a wonderful man, Barry Smith. He was probably in his late 50s back then, and had previously been a pattern maker. Most likely somewhere in the Black Country.
I must add that my job there was through the Manpower Services Commission. Paul Weaver (my best friend back then) had got me in there after I had started working at a kitchen fitting business in Stourbridge, Cuisine One. (That's a whole story in itself.) I had only been there a few months and needed to get out.
We had a few church pieces to make, doors, tool boxes, some porthole surrounds or frames for a narrowboat or two. Then occasionally we would have a cool piece to make for churches. One was a prayer desk for a church in Gornal. The other one I remember was an Oak Lecturn for Halesowen Church. It was their 9th centenary. So a big occasion. The piece had to be right.
No sanders back then, the Oak came in planed both sides. After jointing, any steps in the joints had to be planed off (if it was really bad) or gone over with the cabinet scraper. This was how the Oak was finished. A scraper finish, some fine glass paper and then onto Button polish (applied with a polishing mop) and a light sanding between coats.
So onto the way Barry taught me. You can watch Here
I hope you enjoy my rambling. It is a way of getting some of my head stuff, my past, my history, out there. I hope you enjoy the video.
And Paul, give me a ring. It would be great to catch up.
All the best
Jamie