Christopher Schwarz
Sept. 10, 2024
Since Kale started working here in February, a couple people have commented that my chairmaking life must be easier now that I have an apprentice to do the grunt work.
That’s not how things work here.
I know lots of people who have entered into apprenticeships and ended up doing most of the work on pieces that were signed by and sold by the shop’s owner. I call that exploitation – not apprenticing.
Kale does lots of grunt work – we all do. When we have to process stock for a scholarship class or a visiting instructor, we all go full-on grunt. But when it comes to the work I sign and sell, I insist that I do all the work. If someone helps (such as Megan painting a piece), then they get full credit for that.
Kale has plenty of apprentice work to do, but on their own chairs. They have completed their first apprenticeship chair, and the second one is looming. In the meantime, Kale is working on a host of projects on their own. Candlesticks, a coffer, a couple chairs and I don’t know what else. All these projects belong to Kale and come from their mind and hands.
My chairs are also mine. I don’t want my customers to think I sign my name to work I didn’t do.
When Kale finishes their apprenticeship, then we can figure out what to do next. Perhaps Kale will work on some of my chairs. In those cases, Kale will also sign the chair and receive some of the proceeds. Maybe Kale will want to pursue their own work (which is much more likely considering their independent streak). Then Kale will sign their work and keep all the proceeds from their work.
This isn’t how old apprenticeships worked. And it’s not how modern apprenticeships work, either. But it’s the way I want this apprenticeship to work. No exploitation. No shadow to escape from. Full credit. And all the money that you created with your hands and tools.
The Sharp Spindle Deck
Many people ask me what router bit I use to make the hard line between my chair seat’s saddle and the spindle deck. I don’t use a router bit (though I have experimented with them.)
Instead, that hard line is made with a travisher.
I make the line by first making a furrow next to the spindle deck. I take several passes with the travisher to make a ditch that is the same curve as the travisher’s blade. Once I have created this “ditch” I can use it to guide the tool and inch up toward the spindle deck line.
Sometimes this involves tilting the tool toward the spindle deck. Sometimes it involves shifting the tool laterally toward the spindle deck.
Bottom line: Make a track for your tool to ride in. Then sneak up on the line while following the track. You don’t need a router bit.
Chris Becksvoort once wrote that he used to be approached by young woodworkers, asking to be his apprentice. He told them how much he'd need to charge them. "Me, pay? I'd be doing all your grunt work." No, he said, you be slowing him down, and costing him money.
Training takes time and money, and Chris is obviously happy to do it with Kale. I hope they're just as happy too.
I also object to the term grunt work, in general. Any work that needs to be done is valuable and necessary.
I'm a little late to the party but wanted to toss this out for thought.
One of problems with our woodworking industry is the lack of a good apprenticeship program like other trades. But one of the great things about not having a structured program is that people/businesses can develop an apprenticeship program that fits the apprentice, the business, and their core values.
I enjoy seeing your insights Chris on this.