Two Week Outline

Mentor

I chose to ask Deborah Lynn to be my mentor, as she is currently my Physics teacher and I know I'll be on track with her help.

Resources

Cayuga Lumber- a very good resource for cheap or free wood, along with experienced workers that would know about which wood to use for any project. This could also be a good hub for finding experienced wood workers in the community.

"A Short History of Desks" by Graham Blackburn- An online source, by far the best I have come across so far. It goes more in depth than any encyclopedia or novel written about the topic of woodworking, and gives a step by step on the process, along with different techniques one can use. \

Hands On

For the most part, this project will be entirely on me. With assistance from community members and my grandfather, I will be the one to go through the entire process of designing, building, and putting on the finishing touches.

Macro and Micro

On a small scale I'm determined to learn more about wood and the inner workings of the craft. I feel as though this project will be split. One end is to create a desk, something reachable by real hands instead of a virtual image. The other is connecting on a more personal level with my grandfather. For years now I've seen him working on his own projects, and I always wished I could build something with him. For this semester I may not be building directly with him, rather have him help me along the way when I get stuck.

One Goal

The first two weeks will be crucial. I need to understand everything I'm about to jump into so that I can begin designing ASAP. Research on the topic through online and hard copy sources along with the possibility of reaching out to community members with their input on my project will be the first step. As soon as my knowledge on the subject is good enough, I can use the skills I've developed through technical classes to design each individual part of the desk.

Dear Reader,

As an English WISE student, I'm given the opportunity to work on a project I chose, and that I will complete by the end of the year. For a good amount of time now I've wanted to work on my craftsmanship skills as I've never been the most handy, even with children's arts and crafts. A project too simple, such as a shelf or a bookcase, would take almost no time at all. On the other hand, an object such as a drawer unit would be far too complicated and challenging to build and design as a starter project. I attempted to choose a happy medium, a desk. I feel that crafting a magnificent desk would be a perfect first step into woodworking, as my imagination could wander in the design stage with the many styling's of desks, and I will get hands on experience with machinery.

My grandfather has been interested in woodworking for decades now, and makes a good deal of the furniture in his house with the workshop he created outside of his house. Although he lives fairly close to me, we've never had a good deal in common and therefore have spent very little time together. Through this project I'm able to connect with him, as I could gain critique from him about my designs and construct the end result with his guidance.

• To feel the pride of having built something in this day and age.

In my house, almost every piece of furniture is factory made. Nothing gives off the feeling of a homemade item, such as many of the pieces in my grandfathers house.

• Becoming proficient with machinery used to cut and sculpt wood.

I feel as though having the knowledge of woodworking will further my experiences in my life, especially gaining the ability to use band saws and a drill press, and to understand the staining process.

• Expand my knowledge of the history and traditions of desk making and woodworking in general.

If I were to complete a desk without finding the origins of the techniques I used, my project would be pointless. The difference in how woodworkers crafted desks back in the 1800's compared to now will also significantly change how I design and style my desk.

• Find a love and interest in woodworking.

This project allows me to experience woodworking to it’s fullest, as I’ll complete a desk by myself with outside help which can be very useful when I face a challenge that seems impossible.