Comments on: Woodworking in America at Valley Forge: A 17th century carved box by Peter Follansbee

By: Peter Follansbee

Peter Follansbee — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:41:50 +0000

Al, Dave & Bob
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Thanks for the interest in my joinery work. The boxes are a popular form, and I tend to make them a lot…Al, it wasn’t my great memory that called up those dimensions, I had just worked up the stock for another small box like this on Thursday! The previous one sold, thus I wanted to get another one finished…
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As to carving tools, (all my tools in general) those I use are 19th-21st century versions of tools available during the seventeenth century. I have often taken carving tools & fitted them right to existing examples of period work, and lo & behold, the shapes have not really changed over 400 years.
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This post on my blog has a photo of some of the shapes I use the most. Many of my carvings I use only about 4 tools, other more complicated ones up to about 10 or so.
Hope this helps
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PF
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http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/carving-tools-panels/

By: Bob Easton

Bob Easton — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:04:46 +0000

Thanks for the size update Al. Getting that much carving in that little space is, like all of Peter’s work, impressive. Looking forward to the video.

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:14:26 +0000

Dave,
I reviewed the raw, unedited video for this information. For example, Peter calls his Vee tool “an old German one”. On his blog he recently posted an entry about his “new” 5/16″ mortise chisel, the Ray Isles from Tools for Working Wood (Joel Moskowitz). A special category on his blog is “tools & materials”, very useful to gain insight into the tools he uses. To nail down the correct information I must call him or write to him, and will provide an update.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:54:20 +0000

Al,

Would it be safe to assume that Mr. Follansbee used hand tools endemic to the period? Fascinating! Wish I had the time to research such a project and recreate it!

Best,

Dave

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:15:54 +0000

Bob,

You are right! I must come up with something that gives some idea of the size of an item. By the way, this is a box he had on display at Valley Forge, and is likely not on the blog – at least, I was unable to find it there.
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I just got off the phone with Peter, as I *had* to get this information for you. The box dimensions (approximate) are as follows, all from his keen memory: 5-1/2 inches high; 12-1/2 inches wide; and 7-1/2 inches deep.

By: Bob Easton

Bob Easton — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:57:23 +0000

Thanks for the pics Al. It is indeed a beautiful box. I follow Peter’s blog, but don’t remember this particular box.

Could you give us some indication of size? The word “little” appears in your description. How little? Maybe you can borrow one of Stephen Shepard’s gnomens to include in work like this.