Other people's great work

[shipwright]

The general concept in that piece is as old as the hills. He may have done a newish take on it and may consider that copyrightable but there are a lot of "crooked bookcase" designs out there. Without actually measuring and exactly duplicating his you would be no less a design thief than he. If it's not for sale, I see no problem anyway although there are those who become very protective if you start to sell exact copies.

Bottom line: There's not a lot new under the sun. Everyone's "brilliant design" is consciously or unconsciously incorporating ideas seen elsewhere.

Just my opinion

Paul M

[WmZiggy]

I just finished making a hutch to use as a bar in our dining room and it was based on an 18th C plan I found published in a book for woodworkers to copy or adjust to their needs, as I did. This is not stealing, and in furniture, as far as I know, designs and classic construction techniques are not patiented or "owned" by anyone. I've studied with Mike Dunbar at the Windsor Institute to learn how to make Windsor chairs and though individual chairs will reflect subtle differences, the archetype of the Windsor is 300 years old and it is not stealing to copy it. One reason to copy it, its comfortabe to sit in, aesthetically pleasing, and tough - chairs 250+ years old exist. Just an additional note: Machine made Windsors will last on averge about 20 years. Hand made using classic construction techniques many life times. In any endeavor, envy will destroy you. There is a reason its one of the deadly sins.

[BuckeyeDennis]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Here's a link to my own favorite woodworking inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cGNT-RSkEU

Should I remain healthy for 50 years after retiring, and with the (totally unfair) advantage of 3D CAD software, I just might develop all of the skills necessary to make something this cool.

But I am pretty sure that the name itself, the "Studley Tool Chest", can never be equalled.

[WmZiggy]

When the chest was on display at the Smithsonian a few years ago I spent an hour studying it. Of course it was behind glass, but there was a "wow factor" in seeing it in the flesh. It would make a worthy project.

[jimthej]

To quote Pablo Picasso: "Bad artists copy, great artists steal. Need I say more?:D

[fiatben]

I am realistic about any aspirations of woodworking greatness. I know just how much I don't know. But I enjoy doing it. Especially when I can do something for myself that even I won't judge too critically. It is just nice to be able to whip something out that makes like a little easier.

As an example, I made this footrest this morning to mount to my computer desk. My monitor is actually a 32" LCD TV, so if I'm not on the computer I can kick back and watch TV (or youtube woodworkers).

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I don't even care if the upholstery came up a bit short on the ends. It's just a couple of pieces of 1/2" plywood scrap roughed to shape on the bandsaw, then rounded on the belt sander. Added to that a board with a piece of foam with scrap material stapled over it. I suspect it will be very comfortable when I'm barefooted. It has to be an improvement over using the trashcan for a footrest.

Why I didn't do it sooner is the real mystery. I've got maybe an hour in something that makes my life better. To me, that's part of why I love woodworking.