What is "fine" woodworking? from Woodworkforums

This conversation opened with a woodworker quoting another woodworker regarding the level of quality in woodworking -- and asking for opinions' regarding others' definitions of what, exactly, constitutes "fine" woodworking. - Editor

"'Anything less than exact, and this is not fine woodworking.' The above quote comes from another thread and a comment made by Derek. I'm sorry if I have taken it out of context, but it did make me want to clarify my mind as to what is woodworking and what is 'fine woodworking.' Woodworking is something we all do. It involves a fallible person (the woodworker) using a material that in its natural form is unstable to some degree or another (wood) and attempting to change it into another form, whether utilitarian and/or aesthetically pleasing. This is accomplished using tools that may be more or less adequate for the purpose. To my mind, a woodworker attempts to minimize the effects of the above vagaries through skill and craftiness. I'm sure we've all hidden our less than perfect efforts by making sure that, after the final glue-up, they don't catch the eye. Where along the learning curve does woodworking become fine woodworking? Does a piece of work not deserve the description fine woodwork if all its measurements are not exact? Any thoughts?" - Jim

It seems that this is one of those areas where many different woodworkers have many different definitions. - Editor

"Somewhere in the world, probably in China, there is a machine that takes in a freshly felled log at one end and 30 minutes later spews out a dining table, six chairs and a buffet and hutch . All of them beautifully finished and millimeter perfect. But it ain't fine woodwork. Surely fine woodwork must have a level of artistry in both design and execution that takes it well out of the realm of just simple measurement. In other words, the woodworker must display some individual talent. I reckon, with the right set of tools, I could follow a plan and instructions to produce a piece of furniture that would be near perfect, but then I would just be mimicking the machine I described earlier." - Avery

"I think the term reflects the current zenith of woodworking, whether or not it appeals to the masses. It's a fashion label." - Woodwould

"Fine woodworking, to me, denotes the material rather than the craftsman. A 'quality butcher' doesn't refer to the blood-spattered brute behind the counter, it refers to the meat he is offering. So, too, when it comes to woodwork, I think of the fine timbers as used in quality handcrafted furniture. When describing the person, we would be more correct to think of him/her as a master butcher or master craftsman. Or in some cases, the former could apply to both trades." - rustynail

"To me, a fine piece of workmanship is when it is done all by hand. That is no power tools and only the old methods of woodwork. It is too easy now to buy a jig for this and for that to create the finish you want. My brother was a craftsman in woodworking and he would not even consider putting something together that was not perfect. But then again, what is fine? Some of the roughest pieces thrown together can be fine for someone and not for another. It is the end user that determines that." - cookie48

"In my view, the definition is any job where quality and craft is more important than cost and time. That does not necessarily mean that 'fine woodworking' has to be slow and expensive. An item that is fit for purpose and exploits the quality of tools and materials by use of developed skill and attention to detail would be pretty fine to me...even if it was just a club for bashing fish over the head. But a similar club that could have been made better with only a little extra effort or time would not be fine" - soundman

"Maybe when it gets to the point where if it was any better it would be worse. - Hugh

"To me, fine woodworking is anything that makes me go, 'I wish I had made that.'"- Master Splinter

"'Fine woodworking' is synonymous to me with 'heirloom' quality work. This may embrace many styles of, say, furniture, but the design is considered a excellent example of its type, with high quality construction and finish (not restricting the methods), such that it ends up as a piece that is something destined to outlive us all." - Derek

"I can't define fine woodworking, nor do I intend to, but I don't believe it requires perfection. I like the Japanese school of thought where perfection is seen as arrogance and the maker will sometimes make a deliberate mistake as a sign of humility. My work shows many signs of humility/" - Corbs

Of course, there's always a wise guy ... - Editor

"Fine woodworking? That's where you sand all the way up to 80-grit, isn't it?" - underfoot

... along with a few more serious responses. - Editor

"I've always taken the 'fine' in fine woodworking to refer to the degree of measurement/accuracy involved. There's no such thing as 'perfection,' but fine woodworking is anything in the closest, say, five to 10 percent to it. Whether olde worlde or melamine. Whereas rough woodworking is the furthest 20 percent at t'other end of the spectrum and my own is somewhere between." - Skew

"I think that 'fine woodwork' is not so much to do with the design but the 'engineering' that's gone into the article. By engineering, I mean the skill [with which] the individual pieces are joined together; the execution of properly spaced dovetails (for instance), the way different species are used to accent a design. I don't think that shape and size are as important as the execution of good joinery. I think it is more of an appreciation of the methods used and the finish that separates 'fine woodwork' form 'Oh! Did you make this yourself?'" - chambezio

"You can have a piece of furniture where all the measurements are exact, but the piece will not necessarily be 'fine Woodwork.' It is my belief that there is far more to fine woodwork than just measurements. Things to consider are composition, balance, finish, fit, timber choice, as well as the execution and selection of correct and appropriate joinery techniques.

"An example would be the humble drawer. If correct fine woodworking construction is demanded, then half-blind dovetails on the drawer fronts are used and through tails on the back, drawer slips, a solid timber bottom with and expansion joint for the changing seasons. Changing the dovetails to a lap joint negates it from the 'fine woodworking' category no matter how accurate the measurements. Likewise, replacing the solid timber drawer bottom with plywood has the same detrimental effect.

"Having said all that, if you are proud of your accomplishments in the woodworking arena, who cares what others think? If you think it's fine woodwork, then more power to you, and may you continue to experiment and excel in the noble art of fine woodworking." - Stephen

"For most people, fine woodworking is looking at something they see but cannot achieve, either by hand or with all our modern gizmo tools. The finest wood working you can achieve, in my opinion, is, 'Well, I could not have done a better job.' The funny thing is that, next time, you probably will do a better job because of your previous experience." - Paul

Finishing Woes from woodworking.com

This woodworker was looking for a quick fix to a family finishing accident. - Editor

"OK, my daughter spilled acetone on the dining room table. I sanded the whole finish as directed by Minwax [polyurethane semi-gloss finish]: 220-grit, tack cloth first, then also between coats, put three on, and I still see sanding marks in the glare and it's not glassy smooth. Haven't waxed it yet, will on Monday. Did I do something wrong somewhere? Should I have thinned it? Directions didn't mention it. Any thoughts?" - kuhndog

There was a request for clarification. - Editor

"I hesitate to mention it, but you did sand in the direction of the grain didn't you? You can also go to a finer finish with a 320 or more, or after the finish is applied, work the streaks out with XXXX steel wool." - Dal300

Plus, some respondents shared some general thoughts on finishing -- or even ran some test pieces "just for fun." - Editor

"Some thoughts on finishing. #1 The finish is only as good as the surface that it is applied to. #2 Always sand lightly in between coats and dust. #3 An even gentler buff than 0000 steel-wool is a brown paper bag. Take a paper grocery bag and wad it up and buff the wood with it. Also ,when the type of finish starts with poly, it is another term for plastic." - buroak

"OK, I tried some different tests here, just for fun, (waiting for my thumb to heal where I nailed a piece of plywood to it!) MinWax Poly Semi Gloss seemed to have no only brush strokes but did show sanding strokes even when I was using 320G. My normal poly is Minwax Helmsman Satin finish. I brush it on with a foam brush or cut it 4:1 with mineral spirits when I spray it. With the satin, you can get a higher gloss by buffing with a good paste wax. The one I use is Johnson's. I think I would sand the piece down - completely! - re-stain to your desired darkness and use any finish you like. Depending on the age, and that acetone took the finish off, I would think that you didn't have a poly finish on there to begin with." - Dal300