About the wood

[grayhane]

My bench is clean, tools sharp, and the brand new 1990 510 is finished being refurbished and waiting to cut something.

I have a set of plans for a Mission style coffee table and a cut list now my last thought is what kind of wood do I use ?

I first thought of pine, I believe the cut list calls for 1x4's and I didn't want my first effort in wood to be with anything exotic but now I am curious what else I might find at the home builder store that would look better than pine and not cost as much as gasoline.

Any input ?

[rdewinter]

Mission style is mainly defined by Oak. A good hardwood and not too expensive. Another option would be popular, but oak is what would make the Mission style look good.
Good luck.

Bob
San Diego

[jg300da]

Specifically quarter sawn white oak known for it's distinctive rays and flecks. Many good woodworking magazines have ads showing where this wood can be purchased. Also, research the proper finishing materials and techniques to highlight the woods unique characteristics. Mission furniture is also highlighted by the extensive use of mortise and tenons and through tenons. Having a dedicated mortiser helps or else plan on a lot of hours chopping out mortises by hand.
Good luck.

[RobertTaylor]

definately oak

[Nick]

Gustav Stickley, the first American to manufacture Arts & Crafts style furniture in quantity, set the standard. According to his catalog, "White oak, the wood chiefly used, is selected not only for its strength and durability, but on account of a capacity for taking on various shades and tones of color."

The Arts & Crafts style had begun in England where it echoed earlier Gothic forms that had traditionally been made from oak. Stickley visited England in 1895 and adapted the style for an American audience when he returned. He added many of his own ideas, but kept the oak. Later practioners, such as Greene and Greene, used oak as well, but also worked in walnut, mahogany, ash, and coffee wood -- all strong-grained wood species.

Whenever the subject of Arts & Crafts/Mission furniture comes up, I just can't resist sharing this piece of trivia, part of a personal crusade to dispel woodworking myth-conceptions: Despite its name, the Mission style didn't originate in Spanish missions. The misunderstanding apparently began when Joseph McHugh, a small-time manufacturer of Arts & Crafts furniture, advertised a new line "designed along the lines of old mission chairs." Actually, the chair that inspired McHugh was only a few years old, built for the Swedenborgian church in San Francisco in 1894. Although McHugh's line had little success, the name "Mission" stuck. No one since has been able to set the story straight.

With all good wishes,

[charlese]

Very informative, Nick! Thanks! I had a problem seperating G. Stickley from "Mission" - also I had read a little about McHugh, but did not realize the differences.

[jg300da]

If this is your first woodworking project then I would suggest something a bit less demanding. White oak is not an inexpensive wood and the type of joinery called for in a Mission style piece requires skills that the average begining woodworker may not have. If you feel you're up to it then by all means try it! Properly done this style of furniture is very strong and should last generations. And it gets better looking with wear and age.

[dickg1]

If this is your first woodworking project then I would suggest something a bit less demanding. White oak is not an inexpensive wood and the type of joinery called for in a Mission style piece requires skills that the average begining woodworker may not have. If you feel you're up to it then by all means try it! Properly done this style of furniture is very strong and shouild last generations. And it gets better looking with wear and age.

grayhane,
jg300da makes a good point about trying the project however, as pointed out, the joinery is more than simple. If I were taking this on I would make some practice joints using pine or suitable scraps until I had the confidence to move to more expensive wood. Ultimately, there is no greater feeling than having two pieces of wood that you machined fit together like they belonged that way and that is most often achieved with practice.
Dick

[Nick]

If this is your first woodworking project then I would suggest something a bit less demanding.

As a long-time woodworking instructor, I strongly disagree. If Mission furniture has taken your fancy, pursue it. Something simpler may not be nearly as as challenging or as soul-satisfying. "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" -- Robert Browning

With all good wishes,

[wgander]

The first serious project I made was a cedar lined foot chest of hard wood.
It was all mortise and tenon work - no screws or nails - and raised panels.
I still remember thinking I was in over my head before the end of my second evening working on it. That was about 30 years ago; we still use that chest and we've moved three times since then: I still get a grat feeling of satisfaction every time I pause to admire it.
SO, tackle whatever project you want. Just take your time and learn - don't get frustrated.