Greene & Greene Ebony Plugs Part Two : Pillowing

The soft gentle pillowing of the original Greene and Greene plugs can be illusive . But actually its quite simple. My method yields me 99 - 1/4" plug per hour. This is not magic - anyone can do it.
It also produces a very fine close to the surface plug that does not sink in at the corners.
A note on an original Greene and Greene drawing stated the pegs to be 1/64" proud of the surface.
Stay tuned and I will show you how....

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Another excellent explanation and demonstration. You were able to clarify the procedures. Thanks.

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

thank you, Don

[@ibmorrison]

Always good to see this technique again. The back bevel and depth of setting the plugs has always been my challenge - I need to improve that

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

A little practice will get you there

[@billpowell1614]

Great to see you making some content! I remember my G&G class out at Fort Worden, and still have my samples from the class!

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

Hi Bill - good to hear from you. I believe you moved to the east coast?

[@billpowell1614]

@@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker yes! Good memory! Living just north of Boston, just a few miles from Phil Lowe’s shop. Still woodworking and nearing retirement from my day job...

[@barryomahony4983]

Nice refresher. Signed up for next year's fall class at Fort Worden; looking forward to it.

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

Great - see you next October. I am looking forward to teaching in Port Townsend again!

[@IAmKyleBrown]

When using the disk sander (nice jig by the way!), do you go right from that to the buffing wheel or do you also have to work through the grits?

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

I go through the grits after the disc sander. - but only 220 - 320 - 600

[@megaman692]

What kind of polishing wheel did you use and where did you order it from.......

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

Hi Gene, its a Woodstock D3190 - 8" x 40 Ply x 5/8" Soft Muslin Buffing Wheel, 4,000 RPM
Got it at Grizzley

[@theofarmmanager267]

Excellent video. The UK Arts and Crafts movement (from whom people like Stickley, Greene and Greene took some inspiration) was a broad attempt to both bring back artisan skills (rather than the mass production which had become prevalent through the 2nd half of the 19th century) and to improve the lives of the artisans themselves (factory conditions were dreadful and their lives outside just as poor). People like Morris really promoted both strands.
It seems that the word socialism means different things to different people - and it seems to be used by the Republicans in the USA almost as an insult. I’m certainly not going to go into that but I’m sure that a fair society has a duty to provide opportunities for all and help for some. In that, I think that I’m agreeing with William Morris and his following.
In studying the many strands of A&C, it obviously covered just about every “art” imaginable; from houses to cutlery; from paintings to furniture; from lighting to wallpaper - all can be found in original A&C styles.
I was lucky enough also to be associated with the now-defunct Gordon Russell factory in Broadway, Worcs. Wonderful , wonderful place where you could still see some true artisans (alongside machinery-led production). Not that the original A&C espoused machinery; there are many photos showing belt-driven band saws, table saws etc. being used to produce furniture. Rather, they tried to use machinery to help the workers in producing great work rather than producing it instead of them.
If you are ever in the UK and want to see UK arts and crafts, there are quite a few places to visit. I particularly enjoy the Victoria and Albert Museum and Standen House in West Sussex.
All of this leads me to the extent to which I will accept imperfection in my A&C inspired pieces. If you are using hand forged pulls or hand planed timber, you will get imperfections; it’s used by many to judge whether something is hand made and not as a sign of quality; in fact, quite the opposite as those hand made pieces tend to be more revered.
As far as I’m aware, UK A&C did not use pillowed (we use the term cushioned) raised pegs. I think I could go as far as to say that Barnsley, Morris, Et Al. Would shudder at exposed pegs, exposed drawer sides and even the abundant use of curves that are the trade mark of G&G. I’m certainly not raising one above the other as they are just….different. It comes down to personal taste. However, a truly hand made piece of furniture will be made as well as the maker can make it but will carry signs of its maker. I’m not overly worried if my cushioned pegs differ slightly (the importance is slightly) because, I think, that shows that they were not machine made but done by me.
So, strive for perfection but keep that in perspective.

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

Hi Theo, I think you and I may be of a similar mind on socialism.
I would love to visit the UK someday and see some A&C stuff.
One of your fellow countryman, who has the same last name as me ,( if we are related it's rather remote) posts a lot of visits he makes to A&C historical sites and museums. I love following his Instagram feed.

[@theofarmmanager267]

@@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker well Darrell, you say that you are semi-retired although that probably translates to being very busy but just doing other things (I’m supposedly fully retired but have never been busier as we are converting a barn and a son and I are doing all the 2nd fix carpentry which involves oak door casings and linings, oak window details, oak coving, oak picture rails, oak skirting, some oak wall panelling and, just to be different, 4 or 5 oak doors. Yes, we’ve lost a whole forest of oak trees doing this. Most of what we are doing is heavily influenced by the A&C movement but also inspiration from the American craftsmen movement.
Bit, if you sufficiently retired to travel and come to the UK, let me know. We are about an hours train journey south east of central London. There are 4 or 5 really interesting A&C sites to see within 1.5 hours of us. And, with a barn of 6 bedrooms including a granny annexe but only the two of us to fill it, there are a more than a couple of bedrooms available

[@DarrellPeartFurnitureMaker]

@@theofarmmanager267 Thanks for the invitation , Theo! Someday my wife and I would like to make it to the UK. We don't have any current plans - but maybe someday!