Brad Holley
Brad Holley took over as Chair of the Association in March 2019. Brad always brings great talent and skill to his work as evidenced by the amazing pieces he brings to demo at our meetings.
Brad demonstrates his skill with a five-minute dovetail join.
Here is how Brad answered our questionnaire:
What is your occupation? Occupational Therapist
How long have you been a woodworker? Started in earnest in 2007.
How did you get started in woodworking? My wife went away to a wine event one weekend and I wanted to make her a wine box. So I bought some tools and built it. I was pleased – and so was she – so I started to accumulate a few tools here and there (and there again), and suddenly I had a workshop and a passion for woodworking. I continue to try and build skills, and acquire tools that help me improve my work so the workshop is always evolving.
What is your favourite tool? Hands-down, my favourite tool is my Veritas low-angle block plane. This is the Frank’s Hot Sauce of planes and I put that on almost everything I build.
What is your area(s) of specialty? Hard to say. I am still learning in many ways, but I guess you could say right now I am probably known for chopsticks (article pending in Furniture & Cabinetmaking Magazine), handsawn dovetails, and beer tap handles.
What is your preferred type of project? I like to build things that are ornamental but functional. I built a chessboard for my son, for example. It looks great but also gets lots of use, so that’s the kind of thing that I like to focus on.
Brad Brad presents some tool tips from his workshop.
Tell us about a special successful project. I built a sideboard/ cabinet for my grandfather (who is now one hundred and two years young) when he was ninety-seven. It was meant to provide utility and easy access to things he might need when he is sitting in his favourite chair (mostly watching CNN and Blue Jays Games). Built in lacewood and poplar I was particularly pleased with the many dovetailed drawers that make this cabinet so versatile.
What piece of advice would you like to give a new woodworker? There’s no substitute for practice. Building your skill means working at it through repeated attempts at mastery. Like doctors and lawyers, woodworkers can say they have a practice when they master a skill set.
