I have been researching country furniture lately in an effort to learn more about the stuff that the average Joe had in their home. These pieces were built to fulfill a need and not to show off status. Often times they were built quickly in between other projects necessary to survive like fences to keep livestock and little things like a roof or door to keep out the cold. The country furniture maker was commonly not a cabinetmaker but just a guy getting by trying to provide for his family and eek out a living. Even the specialists in the small village built utilitarian pieces because this is what their customers sought.
This research brought me to a great book by Aldren Watson, “Country Furniture”. Like all of Mr. Watson’s books, it is impeccably written with beautiful illustrations that inspire you to get out to the shop. The book covers not only the furniture that was built but why. It takes an intimate look into the lives of the Countryman and what motivated him to build what he built. I must admit to feeling great admiration for these highly versatile people able to survive on their own and off the land. The opening chapter of the book paints a very realistic picture of what the settler or colonist faced when arriving on North American shores. Coming from England where sawn lumber and tool makers abound, the Joiner is suddenly faced with the a continent of forest. Wood wood everywhere and not a single board to be found. These Countrymen were capable of building their homes, clearing their farmland, and building the furniture they needed direct from these forests.
I have always been a history buff. It is one of the things that got me started in hand tools. That side of me can’t help but feel some nostalgia for this simple style of living. Just do what you need to do to survive and maintain a life that is dependent on no one…then I wake up and think about the incredible back breaking work and settle down further in my easy chair to take a nap.
In today’s society it is next to impossible to live this way. No matter where you go or how “off the grid” you get it seems that you will need to pay someone something to live. So I can only dream about this time and enjoy the amazing illustrations that Mr. Watson provides us in this great book. Of particular note to my hand tool junkies out there is this 4 page spread of a typical Countryman shop.
Call these images quaint, but they evoke a sense of warmth and of self sustainability that is truly inspiring. This may not be everyone’s bag but in my every increasing desire to minimize my tool set and simplify my shop, this book speaks to me. As is typical with Watson’s books you will find many gems hidden in the text. And for those of you who just like to look at the pretty pictures, you will love it. I know I spent some time in the lathe section scrutinizing the drawings as I’m designing a treadle lathe right now. Every time I take a look I get another idea. Heck just this morning when I was taking these pictures, this little guy popped out at me.
Call me crazy, but this would be something fun to build and play with one day
Looks like there is a 1974 and 2005 edition of this book. From the cover I am guessing your’s must be the 1974 version. Looking at google books I see some reviews of the 1974 edition being pretty critical, but others pretty happy with the book.
Thanks for the book review. I went straight to Ebay and found a new copy ‘Buy Now’, with a published date of 24/02/2006. I hope the content hasn’t changed too much and your favourable words still apply.
anyone who is critical of Watson and Country Furniture is simply trying to prove how important they are. Watson was writing about hand tools and historical techniques when most of us were just sitting around a wire spool table, eating pizza and drinking beer. While research may have covered details in greater depth since then, no one has authored a better book since then and that is truly my opinion.
One of my top five favorite books.
Huzzah for Watson! This is one of my favourite books. My copy was a gift from a very good friend/ teacher, early in my woodworking journey. It has always been one of my go to books, and a source of encouragement.
Nathan W.
Nathan, the copy I have was a gift to someone long ago as there is a hand written note on the inside cover. It is kinda like putting an old tool back to work and I like that my copy has some history.
HA! That last picture there, that one of the spring-pole table saw, is something I have been looking for for a very long time now. I always wondered if it would be possible to build an attachable frame for my spring-pole lathe that would let me do it. And lo! It is, and I could even use my shopbuilt frame saw for the cutter!
Thanks for talking about this book — I’ll have to find it.
Mark, it is intriguing isn’t it. Watson puts so much detail into his drawings in that one could actually build it. I think a good fit for the vertical ways to guide the frame saw are the key to prevent slop and vibration during the cut yet move smoothly enough that it doesn’t require excess work to treadle. Is treadle a verb?
Have you seen this treadle table saw video I posted a while back? Much more Victorian but still fun to watch.
I think there is something similar in one of Roy Underhill’s books. I can’t remember which one. Seems like he calls it a “sash saw”, or something like that, because it looks like a window. I don’t think he goes into a lot of detail, but I have always thought it would be handy to have around in an unplugged shop.
Watson’ s books are great. I’ve snagged them for short periods from the library and learned something new each time. Hope to add to my collection soon.
Agree whole heartedly. Watson’s stuff is fantastic! Very high on my must have list.
Shannon I have been very interested in building a treadle lathe myself. I would love if you could share what you have found or better yet generate some content on this topic. I believe you could do the topic justice.
I’m still very early stage on the lathe Bryan but I will be sharing what I find. The build will actually be a major project in my Hand Tool School in the future, but I’ll be sharing some here just like I did with my Joinery Bench. In the meantime, you might check out the Trial and Error blog. There is a great series on a treadle build there.
Mr. Shannon, Mr. Mark N:-
Mr. Doug F. is correct. R. Underhill references “Sash Saws” in his book “Woodwrights Shop”,
Chapter 10. titled “Three Lathes”. There are a couple of pictures and a section of text.
I have also considered ways to attach the Sash/ spring pole saw idea to a treadle base incorporating a flywheel. One would still only be able to cut on the down stroke, but I was going more for the energy storage capabilities of the flywheel. This would lead to a less tired sawyer and the potential for re-sawing heavier stock. (Admittedly, this idea usually resurfaces after consuming too much coffee.)
The downside of both the “sash/spring-pole saw” and the “treadle saw” is , of course, their use of our precious floor space.
-Nathan W
Somehow, I hadn’t heard of this book. I’m going to look for it. Thanks for writing about it.
Luke Townsley
Depending on who published it and when, I’ve seen publication dates (so far) of 1974, 1976, 1987, 1994, 1996, 2005 (aka 2006). It seems most are 274 pages, with the 1994 or the 1996 book being 288 pages. I’m not sure what the differences are.
Have you seen Furniture Making Plain & Simple by Aldren Watson, or Measured Drawings of Early American Furniture by Burl N. Osburn? I wasn’t sure if they are worth purchasing. I did purchase Hand Tools: Their Ways and Workings by Aldren Watson and couldn’t be more pleased.
Thanks, Dean
I have a copy of the 1974 edition. I just discovered him though this which I bought a a flea market in the country. He is a wonder. He is a wonder (period).. This book is a gental read with great insights, guidance and good english
well done. I wish I would have discovered him earlier.
I think I reference this book once a week now. If for nothing other than the great illustrations.
I stumbled on this post again, searching for more information about what Watson calls spring-pole table saws. I just made some add-ons to convert my Roy Underhill-style spring-pole lathe into a sash saw — the proper name for this kind of a saw. I’m not getting enough tension in the frame for the blade, though, so I get some minor wander in the cut. Still, it’s like having a foot-powered bandsaw!
Outstanding! I have thought about adding this to my own spring pole lathe but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I imagine if you let the spring pole do the tensioning it would be better than relying upon the frame to hold it in tension. In other words don’t secure the frame around the saw, keep it friction fit to act only as a guide.