Melamine Part 2: Edge Banding

I just finished up the video for applying edge banding to melamine. This video follows Part 1 on how to get clean cuts in melamine, which can be quite a challenge without the right blade and techniques. Once the melamine is cut, often it will need to have edge banding applied. So I cover this topic in Part 2.

I could have made a 2 minute video that shows me applying a piece with an iron and trimming the excess, but that can leave a person with a lot of questions.

In these videos, you not only get the information and a good demonstration, but plenty of peripherial information so you can dive into it with confidence for a variety of situations and knowing how to deal with imperfections.

The information in these videos is geared to the beginner and small shop or DIY individual. Because not everyone has heavy equipment like a pro cabinet shop to accomplish these tasks, but I know you can get great results with this information.

I have posted part 1 again for anyone who has missed it. The footage was all recorded at the same time so part 2 is a true continuation of the first video.

Melamine Part 2: Apply Edge Banding

Melamine Part 1: Getting Clean Cuts

I hope you find these videos helpful. 

Todd A. Clippinger

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A Visit From Andy Chidwick On The Sawdust Tour

Andy Chidwick is a good friend and fellow furniture maker. He & his family are currently travelling with The Woodworking Shows. As he travels the country, going from show to show, he is stopping to visit woodworkers along the way and recording interviews. He calls this The Sawdust Tour.

Since Andy lives in western Montana, and had to travel due east to Baltimore for the first show, he had to pass through Billings. I was honored to have him make the American Craftsman Workshop his first stop on the Sawdust Tour.

In this video we talk a little bit about my current projects and how I function in the shop. There are some gold nuggets of information on shop workflow and a peek into my life as a pro woodworker.

While Andy does the interviews, is son Tano is acting as videographer. The endeavor is truly a family event.

 Andy will be at The Woodworking Shows giving seminars and demonstrations on woodworking. To see if there is a show near you be sure to check out The Woodworking Show Schedule.

Not only will you be able to see and meet Andy Chidwick, but some other great names in woodworking will be there: Roland Johnson,Jim Heavey, and Bradley McCalister will also be giving seminars. Their names are hotlinks so you can see their profile on The Woodworking Shows site.

Follow Andy on:

FaceBook - Andy Chidwick

Twitter - @chidwicshool

Sawdusttour.com

Well, I gotta head back out to the shop to make some sawdust so I can clean it up...you gotta watch the video to get it;)

Your friend in the shop, 

Todd A. Clippinger

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Exposure in Thrillist.com

A Web Of Connections

You never know the connections that might be made from being in a show, exhibition, or getting published. It seems like it is never is a straight line in arriving to that point nor where you may go from there. It is more like a spider web of connections and interconnections. 

Since being included in the fine woodworking exhibition at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, I have all sorts of emails and contacts that have come my direction. One of them was from the executive editor of Thrillist.com. It is an online source for articles covering what's cool and happening in the world of art, entertainment, food, and products. In their own words "Thrillist Sifts Through The Crap...to find the best new spots to eat, drink and shop in your 'hood." 

People travel, and so does the executive editor of Thrillist, who lives in New York City. While visiting his family in Bozeman, MT he stopped in to see the fine woodworking exhibition at the Museum of the Rockies and was impressed enough that he had to give it some exposure in the Thrillist.com website.

I am one of the 6 artists shown in the article for my prairie chandelier. The picture included in the article was an image that shows the inspiration, conception, and final project.

Not long after the article was released, a man from Cleveland contacted me because he recognized the stairwell tower, and could not believe that it provided inspiration for such a fine project. He asked if I had contacted the architect that designed the structure, which I have not, I do not even know who the designer is. There certainly is potential to make more valuable contacts if I pursue this.

The Gold Nugget For Today

Here is the gold nugget for woodworkers that ask me "how do you do it?" This whole situation, including how I got in the exhibition, is the result of a series of connections and interconnections being made. It is the reward for a lot of effort and time invested in the shop building projects and then making connections to show people my work. It takes the ability to recongize an opportunity, and it takes effort to take advantage of it.

I will also admit, that it takes a bit of luck in making just the right connections, but that still does not happen without putting forth the effort.

What's Good For One Is Good For Us All

I thought it was pretty cool not only to be included in the online article, but the fact that the world of fine woodworking and design got a boost from a main-stream source that is not just focused and centered on woodworking, which is usually the case. It helps to spark interest in the art of fine woodworking and keep it alive.

Check out the article at Thrillist.com, and also see what else they may have that might interest you. Thanks to the guys at Thrillist for giving the craft of fine woodwork & design the exposure! 

Now it's time to get motivated and get moving out to the shop to build something!

Your friend in the shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

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