Episode #110 – Planning Wedges Make Great Clamps!

Close-up of front panel of an engagement
chest camped against the bench edge
with a leather faced planning wedge

Having lived with my Modified New-Fangled Workbench for sometime, the two of us have enjoyed a love – hate relationship. However, there are a number of features that I have come to appreciate and depend on when working at the bench. Chief among these is the planning and planning wedges.




Today was no exception as I utilized the planning wedges to firmly secure the casework of an engagement chest to clean up the joinery between the front and end panels. A heavy fleece blanket protected the end panel resting on the shop floor.

The planning wedges slide along the upper edge of the bench on a T-track. They are leather lined and are locked in place with two ¼-20 T-bolts and star knobs. By securing the rear star knob first while the forward knob is loose, it is possible to gain an extra degree of clamping by tightening the forward star knob against the work wedged against the leather face. The leather provides a firm grip while protecting the work.


I am considering a new bench in the near future. At the top of my list of desirable features is the planning wedge and beam.

Episode #109 - Ancient Caves, Historic Rustic Lodge & Antique Furniture

“We were just making furniture”
George Mason
Mason Manufacturing • Los Angeles • California

Well, a bit of time has passed since my last post due to a lot of work to complete before going on a short summer holiday. We surprised the kids with a layover at The Oregon Caves Chateau and I discovered a unique opportunity to examine a wonderful collection of Monterey Furniture. Beth & I stayed in Room 211 and the kids stayed in Room 304. I enjoy the architecture of the National Parks, so this was a real treat on many levels.

Oregon Caves Chateau
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Oregon Caves Chateau - Room 211
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Oregon Caves Chateau - Room 211
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Oregon Caves Chateau - Room 304
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

The Oregon Caves Chateau, considered a masterpiece if rustic architecture, was designed and built by Mr. Gust Lium (1884-1965), a local contractor with an outstanding degree of design talent. Lium’s architectural work stands up well against the great rustic architects of the period. The six-story chateau, straddling a steep mountain canyon, was designed to allow diverted stream water from the waterfall and trout pond to flow through the third floor dinning room.

Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Details of Hand-Wrought Iron
Hardware & Hand Painting
Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Monterey Chair & Writing Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Detail of Hand-Wrought Iron Hardware
Writing Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

The Oregon Caves Chateau is home of the world’s largest public collection of authentic antique Monterey Furniture. The National Park Service owns the furniture collection. Entering the chateau is like stepping back in time to the early 1930’s since the lodge and all the rooms retain the original furnishings.

Hand Painting Detail of
Monterey Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Drawer Detail of Monterey
Kneehole Desk - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Hand Painting Detail
Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Los Angles Furniture Retailer, Barker Brothers, had the foresight in 1929 to contact by George and Frank Mason of Mason Manufacturing to create a line of furniture embracing the Spanish Revival Movement. The design influences were rooted in 16th & 17th Spanish and early California mission era furniture.

Detail of Monterey Chair - Main Lodge
(Photo - D. Pruett)

Distressed lumber, leather, hand-painted finishes and hand-wrought iron hardware are indicative of the whimsical Monterey look. George Mason’s company produced a full line of furniture and accessories that continued through 1943. Tip a piece over or look on the back of case goods to see the “Monterey” name and sometimes the logo, a horseshoe, burnt into the piece by a branding iron.

Monterey Furniture Brand & Logo

Oregon Caves Chateau
Monterey Furniture NPS Inventory Label
(Photo - Historic Hotels & Lodges)

Monterey Furniture was instantly popular and the fashionable estates of the time were graced with this unique furniture sold through Barker Brothers Furniture stores. Notable celebrities that owned collections of Monterey Furniture included Will Rogers, Clark Gable, Gene Autry, and Walt Disney. Today, Monterey furniture is a collectible and prices are rising as people rediscover the furniture.

Happy Fourth of July!

Thank you to the brave men & women
protecting our freedom and serving
our country in the Armed Services
of the United States!

Some Interesting Oregon Caves & Monterey Furniture Links
Oregon Caves National Monument
Historic Hotels & Lodges – Oregon Caves Chateau
Architecture in the Parks – Oregon Caves
Roger Renick Fine Arts & Antiques – Monterey Furniture Section
Roger Renick’s Book “Monterey- Furnishings of California's Spanish Revival”

Episode #108 - String Inlay

Beginning to Experiment with String Inlay . . .

Something to do While Waiting for Glue to Dry

I had a great day in the shop today completing the main glue up of the engagement chest. So, what to do while the glue dries? Well, I have been reading a lot about Federal Furniture. I have read everything within grasp from books to online sources. I am fascinated with the furniture of the time period as our country was coming into its own. This interest has been spurred somewhat by my son's passion for history. I am particularly drawn to the fine embellishments that characterize this furniture.

Spurred by burgeoning success with a handmade scratch stock, I decided to play a bit with stringing while the glue dried on my engagement chest project. This is still a work in progress but I am encouraged.

I made a small in-line stringing scratch stock blade from a 1/4-20 fender washer. I outlined the profile with a drafting template and used my 10 inch disk sander to grind out the initial shape. A large bolt served as a convenient handle. The blade was then honed and polished with a series of graduated wet / dry sandpaper. The teeth were cut with a small triangular jeweler's file.

The blade was then mounted on a 7/8 inch hardwood dowel with a 1/4-20 threaded brass insert in the end. The blade is secured with a brass washer and an allen-head 1/4-20 cap screw. A piece of 4/4 scrap jatoba served as a makeshift stock.

The results were somewhat crude but very encouraging. Many questions arose from this little experiment, not the least of which is how to make sharp beginning and ending cuts. Oh well, enough for now. Time to remove the clamps and go to bed!

Resources & Inspiration:

Line-and-Berry Inlay: Add eye-catching inlay using motifs from 18th-century Pennsylvania furniture, by Steve Latta (Fine Woodworking)

String Inlay: Fine lines of contrasting woods add an elegant touch to furniture, by Garrett Hack (Fine Woodworking)

Making and Applying Decorative String Inlay with Jeff Williams, inlay specialist for the Irion Company. A video Tutorial produced by Keith Cruickshank from Woodtreks

Lie-Nielsen Inlay Tools