Bill Howes
Bill has been a highly engaged member of the Association and a popular presenter on topics ranging from making a spokeshave horse, to wood carving. I was delighted to catch up with Bill in his woodshop this week.
Bill Howes – carving a “gout” stool.
I put our usual questions to Bill and here is how he answered:
What is your occupation? I’m a retired neurosurgeon.
How long have you been a woodworker? Pretty well all of my life.
How did you get started in woodworking? My grandfather was a woodworker – a boat-builder, actually, although he was from the prairies. I got my start working with him, although truth be told that was mostly me holding the hammer while he drove the nails from the other side. My job was to bend ’em over once they were through the plank. I worked with wood pretty well all my life, with perhaps a short break during my medical training/internship and residency.
What is your favourite tool? Oh, the handplane is one I’d have to say is my favorite. I have quite a collection of planes from all over, and have even built a few nice ones. Second favorite would probably be the spokeshave.
What is your area(s) of specialty? Depends on the day, really. I guess one thing I am known for is my chairs – most recently I have continued working on perfecting my technique in building Windsor chairs. I have built quite a few chairs – and other furniture. I also enjoy wood carving a lot.
Bill’s antique plane collection.
What is your preferred type of project? I like one-of projects. Something that is made for a particular purpose for a particular person and not intended to be copied or repeated.
Tell us about a special successful project. Mastering the Windsor chair is pretty special for me. [Editor’s Note. Bill shared with me many of the projects he has completed that are still resident in his home including some of his first Windsor chairs, a Japanese mitered table, an ornate writing desk, a side table, side chairs, wing back chairs and even a lovely old butler table. I also took away several of his recent Christmas carvings which will be available at the 2019 Seaside Christmas event in my studio.]
What piece of advice would you like to give a new woodworker? One project at a time, one board at a time. Don’t move on till that board is right . Mistakes are cumulative
Hear it in Bill’s own words below.
