1. Art and Diseño

Wo o d w o r ke r s
Association
of NSW inc
ABN 51 544 261 324
January February 2015 Newsletter
2015 Exhibition update
The Lane Cove Gallery exhibition dates are now Tuesday
15 to Saturday 26 September,
2015. Entry submissions are
from 1 February to 24 April.
The Lane Cove Gallery has specifically requested that all items
on exhibition be for sale. But after
negotiation, it’s been agreed that
a limited number of not-for-sale
items can be included. Decisions
made about these items will be
made case-by-case.
This is a major policy change for
us. We hope it doesn’t adversely
affect any member’s intentions
to exhibit. If you have reason for
your item to be exhibited but not
be for sale, or you have difficulty
setting a price, please contact an
exhibition committee member.
The application form will be
available on our website from 1
February 2015, under the exhibitions tab. If you want a paper
copy sent in the mail, contact the
exhibition committee. NB: 2014
Creations in Wood entries cannot
be submitted for the 2015 exhibition. Entry submissions will be
accepted from 1 Feb to 24 Apr.
Closing date for photos is 3 July
2015. Any questions should be
addressed to a member of the
exhibition committee.
2014 member winner
Member’s gift for 2014 winner
is Scott Zeller. Congrats Scott!
The prize is a free subscription
for 2015
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
2014 Creations in Wood exhibition
Creations in Wood Exhibition committee
Brian Dawson - 0418 212 496 - [email protected]
Miko Nakamura - 02 9805 1775 - [email protected]
Peter Dunn - 0410 411 951 - [email protected]
Phil Lake - 0403 114 712 - [email protected]
Alex Springall - [email protected]
David Palmer - [email protected]
Next association member meeting
7 for 7.30pm, Monday 2 February 2015
Abbotsford workshop, Western end of
Spring Street, Abbotsford
Peter Harris on machine maintenance - more info on the website
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Chatter from the chair
I have been in Europe now for six
weeks and have been quite detached from the world of wood,
except . . . In the French Alps
there are thousands of post and
beam houses.
Association Chair, Brian Dawson
Committee members
Chair: Brian Dawson
• 0418 212 496
• [email protected]
Vice Chair: Phil Lake
• 0403 114 712
• [email protected]
This form has clearly been
around for hundreds of years and
there is an abundance of timber
available locally and many skilled
craftsmen to work it.
The accompanying pictures
show a sample.
The timber gradually weathers
and the resulting patina blends
Secretary: Steve Townsend
• 0411 477 075
• [email protected]
(Steve is also Public Officer)
perfectly with the majestic surrounds.
I stayed in a building dated
1795 (the date was inscribed on
the stone base) and the post and
beam structure can be clearly
seen on the picture of the interior. Not much change in 220 years.
Inside the building, I came
across what looked like an original
Roubo bench. It certainly looked
several hundred years old and is
being used as a coffee and cup
stand. The massive construction,
Continues next page
Treasurer: Miko Nakamura
• 02 9805 1775
• [email protected]
General committee members
John Connors
• 02 9818 4728 • 0423 989 963
• [email protected]
Frank Duff
• 02 9896 4017 • 0403 821 389
• [email protected]
Peter Dunn
• 02 4344 7806 • 0410 411 951
• [email protected]
Peter Harris
• 02 9879 3329 • 0419 164 098
• [email protected]
Phil Nanlohy
• 02 9560 7250 • 0416 022 252
• [email protected]
Assisting the committee
Membership Secretary: Gordon Joseph
• 0409 488 919
• [email protected]
Newsletter/Website: Jo Healy-North
• 0417 667 367 • [email protected]
If you’d like to join or assist the committee or be more involved in the association, call a committee member!
Life members
Richard Crosland, Phil Lake, Kim Larymore, Leon Sadubin, Richard Vaughan,
Alan Wale
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
A 1785 interior - and not much has changed since
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
16th century great hall of Stirling Castle - the largest medieval hall in the country! (Apologies for the ‘fury’ photo)
vertical vice and co-planar front
are all Roubo charcteristics.
In Scotland I saw the great hall of
Stirling Castle, built in 1567.
This was the largest medieval
hall in the country and has been
re-built recently at a cost of 14
million dollars and using 380 oak
trees. A splendid sight.
The roof style is called hammer
beam for obvious reasons. It is, of
course, an extension of post and
beam construction.
Brian Dawson
The timber gradually weathers and the resulting patina blends perfectly
with the majestic surrounds.
If your newsletter listing or advertisement is no longer
current or needs amending, please contact me,
Jo Healy-North, at [email protected]
(or call me on 0417 667 367)
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Site visit: some happy campers at Chris Nance’s place last November
Traditional Timber Framing
- you should have been there!
In November 2014, 15 association members ventured to
Buxton, to visit the home acres
of member Chris Nance, owner
of the Traditional Timber Frames
company.
Timber framing is a craft that
dates back over a thousand years.
It uses green timber and centuryold joinery techniques, with no
nails or bolts. Some joints are
simple mortice and tenon, others
are highly complex. Such frames
are used for carports, sheds,
verandahs, conservatories and
house frames. Timber species are
chosen for their natural beauty
and long life. TTF uses Australianwww.woodworkersnsw.org.au
grown hardwoods: Red Stringybark, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt,
and Grey Box and some softwoods: Cypress Macrocarpa and
Pinus Radiata, all from the most
sustainable resources. Timber is
often recycled or reclaimed. Many
Australian species, naturally durable and strong, are comparable
to English Oak.
Sections are massive: from
250 x 200 to 200 x 200, 150 x
200. Subsequent oiling is done,
depending on the expected
exposure of the structure. Joints
are secured with hand-riven
hardwood pegs. Deliberate misalignment of peg holes is used to
4
tighten the joints: the pegs pull
the tenon into the mortice. Many
timber elements are deliberately
not straight: Chris is always on the
lookout for curved pieces that are
ideal for braces.
Chris showed us a portable mill
based on a long-bar chainsaw
mounted on a rail and hauled
through the log using a wire rope
winding mechanism.
The resultant surface finish is
totally appropriate without any
subsequent thicknessing, planing,
or smoothing required.
Continues next page
PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
To have your work featured in
the newsletter, simply email
some photos and a few words
to the editor about the item
(or items) to
[email protected]
Members demonstrated their
varied levels of skill in making
hardwood pegs: firstly straightgrained timber is split into roughly
square-sectioned pieces.
These are then shaped into a
circular cross-section with a draw
knife, the operator being seated
on a foot-clamping bench device.
Finally, the pegs are tapered to
facilitate driving-home on site.
Because timber elements are
not necessarily truly straight,
special techniques are necessary, there being no possibility of
using designated reference faces.
Instead, Chris demonstrated the
positioning of timbers, pre-cut to
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
size, on strengthened sawhorses,
each piece being carefully located
and wedged truly horizontal.
Reference lines are marked on
faces of all pieces and joints set
out with the help of a plumb bob
(flicking a taut string line leaves a
clear mark for subsequent cuts).
Most impressive was the quick
clean performance of a portable
electric chain morticer mounted
at the marked location.
The truss being assembled was
made of Radiata Pine. Members
were fascinated to watch the
Have your work
shown on the
website
Get your woodwork showcased!
Send photos of your best pieces
with information about the
materials, tools and techniques.
Use top quality photos with
good lighting and a plain background to best show your work.
Email to
Steve Townsend
at [email protected]
Continues page 7
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Australian
Wood Review
Wood Diary
Event listings in the magazine
and website for free. Submit
your info 5-6 weeks before the
magazine goes on sale.
Doctor Wood
AWR runs a question column.
Send your woodworking
question or problem to . . .
doctorwood@
woodreview.com.au
. . . and they’ll hunt round
for the answer.
Stories
Tell them your story.
And tell them what stories
you’d like to read in the
magazine (or if you’d like to
write for them.)
Contact Linda Nathan, Editor
Australian Wood Review
Published by
Interwood Holdings P/L
P 07 3806 2288
F 07 3806 2277
woodreview.com.au
PO Box 4336
Loganholme DC Qld 4129
Quality timber stockists
144 Renwick Street
Marrickville, NSW 2204
P: 02 9558 8444, F: 02 9558 8044
[email protected]
Monday to Friday: 8am - 4pm
Saturday: 9 - 11:30am
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
assembly - during which the king
post was lifted to permit insertion
of the other tenons before the
timbers were lowered faultlessly
into place on the tie beam.
Erecting the roof truss and
other roof timbers was achieved
using a massive forklift, skillfully
maneuvered by Chris with help
from Christophe. The ridge, purlins and top plate were designed
so that metal roofing can be
attached without additional battening.
A perfect day was capped
off with a BBQ among friends.
Thanks Chris!
Chris can be contacted on
0415 111 526 or at
traditionaltimberframe.com.au
Frank Duff
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Boutique Timbers
Supplier of high quality furniture timbers.
Slabs up to 1 metre wide, boards, burls,
burl slices, blocks, hardwoods, softwoods.
Mackay cedar, Austalian red cedar, Rosewood, snakewood, Queensland maple,
Camphor Laurel, Huon pine, bluegum,
redgum, greygum, flooded gum, tallowood, blackbutt, blackwood, pencil cedar,
Hairy oak, N and S silky oaks, and more.
Cheap Camphor boards and slabs for
benches, bars, tables, cutting boards or
food display boards.
Delivering to Newcastle, Central Coast and
Sydney Metro. Small orders can be collected from Cremorne, Maccas Heatherbrea
or Wyong.
256 Spokes Road, Ballengarra
16km west of Pacific Highway, turn onto
Rollands Plains Road at Telegraph Point.
Follow road for 16km, turn left at Spokes
Road and travel 2.5km of gravel road. Visitors welcome from 7 to 7, 7 days a week.
Exhibiting at the Kiama woodworkers
display in March and the Sydney Timber
and Working with Wood Show in June.
Timber auction: September
Contact Mal or Greg
02 6585 8296
0416 096 827
Sydney enquiries:
0407 613 002
View the website for timber types and
photos or stock and completed furniture
boutiquetimbers.com.au
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
The finest furniture from Van Treight
the history of J Van Treight & Company 1947-2001 - Part 2, by Alan Perry
In the previous edition, Part 1 of this series took us up to and including the 1960s, when the Van Treight factory worked long hours preparing for the release of new styles at the Guild Furniture Exhibition in May each
year, and produced the much anticipated customers’ coloured brochure. Part 2 picks up the story in the 70s.
The 1970s
Van Treight took a larger space
at the annual Guild Furniture Exhibition, easily able to be recognized by visitors by the bird cages
with multi-coloured birds, which
were Red Factor canaries, hired
from Featherdale Nurseries.
and stretchers called the Boston,
Jamestown, Cape Cod and Ranch
group.
The 1970s catalogues reflected
the influence of Drexel in Van
Treight designs. The catalogue
showing Van Treight made
furniture in settings with Drexel
imported cabinets and occasional
furniture. The Esperanto group of
wall systems, Etagere, low tables,
credenzas, dining tables and
chairs buffets and twin column
dining tables fully assembled
were all imported from Drexel.
Continues on page 11
Well known as leaders in quality lounge furniture in the latest
fabrics, they continued to produce more traditional furniture
with the Louis group: Louis legs,
scalloped top shapes and beaded
rails, and Queen Anne with
Cabriole legs. The Dorchester and
Delaware were both fully upholstered designs.
They continued to produce
Scandanavian/Danish furniture
with bottle turned leg bases
in Blackwood solids and Teak
veneers with a selection of wall
units called the Kalmore, Viking,
Form and Norseman group. They
also sold an American Colonial
group with turned angled legs
1980s Van Treight Phillip Regency Group sideboard
About the author
Curriculum in Furniture Trades and visited Industry as
much as possible being involved in employer groups
and education in state high schools.
Alan G. Perry, B.Ed.(Tech), Dip Teach.(Tech), Cabinetmaker/Designer/ Restorer/ Teacher
Alan started at Ricketts and Thorp P/L, Furniture manufacturer of Sydney in 1954 as an apprentice cabinetmaker, working in the sewing machine section and
cabinet shop.
Alan retired from TAFE in 1998 and is a founding member of the Furniture History Society (Australasia) Inc.
He is also a member of the NSW Woodworkers Association and has a special interest in late 19th C Arts and
Crafts furniture.
He then became a draughtsman and eventually Furniture Designer, Estimator and Site Supervisor until joining TAFE in 1973 to teach cabinetmaking to all ages of
apprentices and tradesman in colleges in Sydney, and
for a year at London College of Furniture.
Alan has published the history of a few NSW 20th century furniture manufacturers and gives talks to societies and interest groups about the furniture industry
and specific woodworking skills.
He became Head Teacher of Cabinetmaking at Lidcombe TAFE in 1989. Alan was involved in the National
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
Alan can be contacted at [email protected], or
on 02 9520 8382
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
dale, Edwardian and Regency
styled dining chairs and buffet/
china cabinet with drawers.
The Regency, Maracay, Banquet,
Macquarie and Plaza apartment
dining group reflected the move
of clients to smaller premises
such as apartments and villas.
The 1990s
During the 1990s, Van Treight
started doing contract work for
State and Federal governments as
well as hotel/motel and apartment installations with more
commercial designs in Sydney,
Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Moresby and Queensland.
1980s Van Treight Phillip Regency Group sideboard
The finest furniture cont . . .
Et Cetera was a range of octagonal and oval occasional tables
imported from Drexel capturing
the warm sunny flavor of the
Mediterranean, the elegance
and artistry of the 17th and 18th
century with its graceful architectural shapes, deep mouldings and
decorative lattice inserts on doors
1980s Van Treight catalogue cover
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
and mirror frames. Deep inset
paneling and decorative cut-outs,
cane backs to chairs, metal Spanish style stretchers and scalloped
overlays were also used.
The 1980s
In 1981, Van Treight Furniture
was recognized for its achievements, receiving firstly a State
Award for small business achievement, followed by being named
winner of the National Small
Business Award together with an
Advance Australia Small Business
Award. John was presented with
award by the then Minister for
Trade and Commerce, The Hon
Phillip Lynch.
John’s design inspirations
looked to the great designers of
the past: Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Sheraton, Adam and others. The 1980s catalogue showed
the very traditional furniture in
the Phillip group, D-ended twin
turned, column dining table with
splayed Cabriole legs, Chippen11
Australian overseas missions
were furnished by Van Treight in
Asia, South East Asia, Japan, New
Zealand, South Africa, Pacific,
Brazil and Korea to name a few.
Work was done at Government
House Sydney and the Lodge in
Canberra and Family Law Courts
and St Mary’s Cathedral Presbytery in Sydney.
Van Treight provided employment for many tradesman and apprentices, several of whom won
State awards. Past employees say
it was the best place to be trained
and many went on to start their
own businesses and to teach the
trade at TAFE.
A number of Van Treight’s
skilled craftsmen were with the
company virtually from its beginning. They included many with
European backgrounds and family
traditions of brilliant workmanship. The longest serving member
retired in 1995 after 48 years
service.
More than 75 per cent of staff
provided the company with more
than 15 years service, with many
working there for 25 to 30 years.
The whole staff was part of the
family and shared an understandContinues next page
PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
The finest furniture cont . . .
Van Treight Furniture and cease
trading in November 2001.
In June 2001, John Van Treight
wrote to the many clients and
suppliers of the company:
After 54 years of producing
and selling high quality furniture,
we have found that in the recent
years the demand for our product
is diminishing, whilst the cost of
producing it has increased.
Although the financial strength
of the company is not an issue, we
believe that the future of operating in this market is uncertain and
the risks are high.
From left to right: the Chiswells, the Parkers and John and Helen Van Treight
ing of quality and pride in the
finished products.
They celebrated 50 years in
business in 1997 with a dinner for
all past and present employees
and some customers. In 1988,
they also celebrated Grace Brothers 150th Anniversary, with an
exhibition of their furniture with
replicas of furniture from England
and Scotland.
John Van Treight invited Viscount
de L’isle, former Governor Gener-
al of Australia, to open the exhibition, attended by representatives
of the furniture industry such as
Tony Parker and John Chiswell.
John’s son Pieter Van Treight
was president of the NSW Furniture Guild, being elected Vice
President in 1992 and President
in 1993 and 1994 and he served
on the Council together with John
Chiswell and Ross Parker.
After advice from financial advisors it was decided to wind down
Their furniture is well loved by
many people especially younger
people looking for mid 20th century or retro furniture.
Van Treight furniture can be
found on eBay, Gumtree and
Retro Heaven, but the prices do
not reflect the fine craftsmanship.
A seven-piece dining suite has
listed at $600, extension dining
table at $300, two-seater sofa
at $300, and a display cabinet at
$500.
A ‘t’ in a ‘v’ - Van Treight labels
The Sydney Woodcarving Group
The SWG meets regularly at four locations. Beginners are welcome. Tools and timber supplied for learning projects. Groups meet at:
Southside (Lilli Pilli): First Saturday of the month and one weekday evening
Epping: Second and fourth Wednesday of the month
Chester Hill: Second Saturday of the month
Shellharbour: First Monday and third Saturday of the month.
For more information and location details, phone Rosemary Mackie on
0419 607 489 or visit www.sydneywoodcarving.org.au
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Liberon Products
Australia Pty Ltd
Liberon products have been
known around the world since
the early 1900’s initially
created in France. They have an
enviable reputation for high quality restoration and the finishing
of wooden
furniture and antiques.
We were known previously in
Australia as Liberon
Enterprises, but with a new
owner and new name, we are no
longer at Fyshwick
in the ACT.
For a full colour catalogue, email
Carol at address as below.
Woodworkers’ NSW members
received our products at
wholesale prices,
plus postage/freight.
PO Box 306, Eumundi QLD 4562
P 07 5471 1028
[email protected]
www.liberon.com.au
Turning teacher wanted
It’s a Durden L500 mounted on
a sturdy bench (built by John
Kirkwood).
There are some basic tools for
it, but we may need to buy some
extra chucks and other parts. We
need an expert to tell us what’s
needed.
If you have the necessary skills
and a desire to pass them on
to fellow members of the association, call our secretary, Steve
Townsend on 0411 477 075.
Also call him if you’re interested
in learning to use the lathe.
There’s a wood lathe in the
workshop, generously placed on
permanent loan with the association by John Kirkwood. There
are a number of people who
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
are interested in learning to use
the lathe, so are there any good
turners interested in running a
few classes and passing on their
knowledge?
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
Member discounts
• Allwood Cabinet Timbers, Nowra, 4423 3295 www.philipgould.com.au
• Anagote Timbers, Marrickville, 9556 6444 (10% discount)
• Feast Watson, H/O Scoresby Vic. 1800 252 502 www.feastwatson.com.au
• F&K Electrics Power tools, Stanmore, 9519 7997 (10% discount - varies)
• Henry Bros Saws, Vineyard, Saw blades, knives, cutters, 9627 5486 (trade prices)
• Howard Products, Tamworth, orange oil, wood care products, 1800 672 646
www.howardproducts.com.au
• HNT Gordon, Alstonville, classic plane makers, 6628 7222 www.hntgordon.com.au
(10% discount)
• Laminex Industries, Caringbah, NSW, sheet products, 132 136
• Liberon Products Australia Pty Ltd, Eunundi, SE Queensland, 07 5471 1028 [email protected].
au www.liberon.com.au (wholesale prices)
• Major Woodworking Equipment, Padstow, 9708 3233 www.majwood.com.au
contact Ryan, (5-15% discount)
• Mathews Timbers, St Marys, 9833 3100
• Nover & Co, Eastern Creek, NSW, sheet products, kitchen hardware, 9677 3200
www.nover.com.au
• Roger Gifkin’s Dovetail Jig, 6651 9513, www.gifkins.com.au (10% discount)
• Trend Timbers, Mulgrave/Windsor, 4577 5277 www.trendtimbers.com.au
• Veneercraft, Padstow, wood veneers, 9533 4294 (10% discount)
• Warringah Timbers, Dee Why, 9981 3733
• AngleMag saw guide
$75 for members, $100 for
non-members.
Contact a committee member
for more information. Contact
details listed on page 2.
Inner west workshop
space available
by the hour
Call Jo on
0417 667 367
• Terry Gleeson’s
School of Woodwork
1191 Old Nothern Road
Middle Dural NSW 2158
P: 02 9651 1012
F: 02 9651 1341
[email protected]
• Richard Crosland’s
School of Fine
Woodworking
Learn with the master
Richard Crosland’s school
provides small, hands-on
classes for students of all
levels. The friendly, creative
atmosphere fosters progress
and many beautiful pieces are
the lasting result.
All tools are provided and
work in progress can be
stored at the Alexandria
workshop.
Call Richard at the school
02 9313 4142, or visit
www.crosland.com.au
www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
15
PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046
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www.woodworkersnsw.org.au
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PO Box 3282 Wareemba NSW 2046