Joe Lambert
Active member
Here is an update on the Virginia Chapter meeting in May 18th 19th and 20th!!!!!! Anyone interested must email me at [email protected] and send a check for 35.00 to pay for the class. Please read the rest of the letter here and follow close instructions. Don's email is below and needs to know what piece you intend to bring and the type of finish you would prefer so materials can be prepared. There are several spaces left to join if you would like.
Here are requests for those who will attend the spring meeting. please respond to Dons email, @Donald Williams <[email protected]>. William Duffield has gotten a list together of places to stay. There are a number of choices. Sorry for the delay in getting this out. I know Don would appreciate a quick response on the type of peroid finish you would prefer so he can have it prepared. Please get your reservation in as quickly as you can for rooms.If interested please let Don know if you would like to go out for dinner on Saturday so he can let the restaurant know in advance. I don't think I have missed anyone on the list, but if I have please pass this email on and please let me know immediately so I have a correct count who is attending.............Joe
DON Writes ......
I am very much looking forward to our upcoming weekend together.Hopefully by the time we part company you will share my perspective that making furniture is just the filler to get to the really fun part, finishing!
Our plan of attack is this.
I will arrive late Thursday night, leaving straight from work.If you need to get in touch with me en route you can always try my cell phone at 301 395 1133.The number for my cabin is 540 468 3246, but I will only be there at the beginning and end of the day.Cell serving in general is pretty sketchy out there.
Friday morning I will continue to set up our work space, and welcome any of you to arrive and begin prepping Friday afternoon.This is when we will clean up any surfaces that need cleaning up.I would prefer that you not have the surfaces scrubbed to within an inch of their life with sandpaper.While sandpaper was a historical reality, and we will certainly have plenty on hand, it is my desire for us to rely on scrapers and burnishers to get things ready for the glories awaiting us.
If possible, please get back to me with a stated preference for the finish you are seeking to execute.Here are some viable options.
Molten beeswax, buffed with linen.In rural colonial New England this was the predominant finish.It yields a softly glowing surface that is easily repaired in perpetuity.It can help disguise lesser woods or workmanship.
True French Polish was essentially a wax ?spit polish? yielding a nearly mirror-like surface.Spectacular does not begin to describe if done perfectly.
Burnished brushed shellac is my personal favorite, and it is so sumptuous that it practically glows in the dark.
Burnished brushed colophony is a bit more brassy than the same finish in shellac, but when tuned properly it can really sing.
Padded shellac is the mystical yardstick for the finishing trades, and we will have masterful polisher David Reeves to guide us through the process to completion.
Linseed, tung, or walnut oil is a really simple finish, but hard to get completed on a weekend since it takes several days to fully harden.But, we can goose the process to make it go a little faster.
Oil resin varnishes are both historically accurate (although I doubt we will be using strict historical formulations, instead relying on my long time fave Pratt&Lambert 38 alkyd varnish) yielding durable and visually pleasing results.
Decorative painted surfaces can be accomplished by coordinating any of the previous iterations with specialized applications of dirt (pigments) or dye stains.I am hoping someone wants to make a painted blanket chest or a japanned cabinet.
Other options are possible, for example if you have your heart set on a turpentine/colophony varnish we can accommodate that.Also, some contemporary finishing materials will be available.
When you get back to me I will begin the preparations for the materials we will need to have on hand.The modest registration fee will be used to cover the costs of all the materials we will use, ranging from varnishes to rags to surgical gloves to solvents to sandpaper?
I will almost certainly be joining you by working on a veneered knife box I want to get finished and submit to APF.
If you have any favorite finishing tools, bring ?em.
Also, if you have strong opinions about vittles for lunch let me know.I generally can get by with bread and cold cuts, chips, and soda,etc.Certainly we can go into town for lunch if a longer break is desired.I will make a reservation for us to eat as a group at the Highland Inn Saturday night.Charming setting, great food.A party our size would throw them for a loop if unexpected.
[email protected]
$74 ~ $149
Laurel Point Retreat
414 Sounding Knob Road
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-3470
http://www.laurelpointretreat.com/site/Welcome.html
[email protected]
$99 ~ $195 per night
free WiFi
Arbogast Inn
364 West Main Street
P. O. Box 72
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-3278
http://www.arbogastinn.com/
[email protected]
$99 ~ $129 per night
Cherry Hill Bed and Breakfast
224 West Mill Alley
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-1900
http://www.cherryhillbandb.com/
$95 ~ $125
WiFi
There used to be another B&B in Monterey, the Trimble House. It has closed.
The following B&Bs are farther from Monterey, but you may find them to your liking. If you decide to stay at one of these, and you need directions, please let me know.
Ginseng Mountain Lodging
Blue Grass, VA
http://www.ginsengmountain.com/Ginseng_Project_Green_from_Debo/Ginseng_Mountain_Lodging.html
$95 for sleeping for 6
13 min. from Monterey
The Inn at Gristmill Square
124 Old Mill Road
Warm Springs, VA
http://www.gristmillsquare.com/
No rates provided online
36 minutes from Monterey
The Buckhorn Inn
2487 Hankey Mountain Highway
Churchville, VA
http://www.thebuckhorninn.com/
37 minutes from Monterey
Chestnut Ridge Country Inn
Route 1
Dunmore, WV
http://www.chestnutridgecountryinn.com/
39 min. from Monterey
Fort Lewis Lodge
603 Old Plantation Way
Millboro, Virginia 24460
http://www.fortlewislodge.com/
54 minutes from Monterey
Meadow Lane Lodge & Cottages
646 Meadow Lane Trail
Warm Springs, VA
http://www.meadowlanecottages.com/
56 minutes from Monterey
Restaurants
Don tells me that there are only three restaurants in Monterey. They are all close to one another, downtown.
Haps High's Restaurant, 73 West Main St.,
The Highland Inn Dining Room, 68 West Main St.
The Mountain Hideaway Restaurant & Tavern, 37 Potomac River Road, 540-468-1575.
Navigation
Monterey is approximately 1 hour west of Staunton, VA, at the intersection of U.S. 250 & U.S. 220.
Into Google Maps Search, Enter: U.S. 220 & U.S. 250, Monterey, Highland, Virginia 24465
If you don't know how to get to Staunton, e-mail me, and I will prepare directions. In general, from the Washington DC area, take I-66 west to I-81. Take I-81 south to route 622, the Woodrow Wilson Pkwy, which is the Staunton beltway. Take 622 west to U.S. 250/Churchville Road. Take 250 west to Monterey.
From the Richmond/Charlottesville area, take I-64west to I-81 North to Route 622
The Highland Inn is on the NW corner of US.250 & U.S. 220.
Don's home and shop are about 2.8 miles north east of Monterey. The best way to find it is to enter the GPS coordinates into Google Maps or into your navigator or smart phone. Coordinates are:
38.439733,-79.57428
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.439733,-79.57428&spn=0.002909,0.004828&t=h&z=18
1. Head northeast on US-220 N/Potomac River Rd toward Mill Alley. Go 1.7 mi.
2. Turn left onto Rte 632/State Route 647. This may be labeled The Pines Rd. Go 194 ft.
3. Take the 1st left onto State Route 647. This may be labeled White's Run Road. Go 0.9 mi.
4. You will pass the entrance to a rock and gravel quarry on the left. Bear left at the next fork. Follow a split rail fence on your left. Go 433 ft.
Here are requests for those who will attend the spring meeting. please respond to Dons email, @Donald Williams <[email protected]>. William Duffield has gotten a list together of places to stay. There are a number of choices. Sorry for the delay in getting this out. I know Don would appreciate a quick response on the type of peroid finish you would prefer so he can have it prepared. Please get your reservation in as quickly as you can for rooms.If interested please let Don know if you would like to go out for dinner on Saturday so he can let the restaurant know in advance. I don't think I have missed anyone on the list, but if I have please pass this email on and please let me know immediately so I have a correct count who is attending.............Joe
DON Writes ......
I am very much looking forward to our upcoming weekend together.Hopefully by the time we part company you will share my perspective that making furniture is just the filler to get to the really fun part, finishing!
Our plan of attack is this.
I will arrive late Thursday night, leaving straight from work.If you need to get in touch with me en route you can always try my cell phone at 301 395 1133.The number for my cabin is 540 468 3246, but I will only be there at the beginning and end of the day.Cell serving in general is pretty sketchy out there.
Friday morning I will continue to set up our work space, and welcome any of you to arrive and begin prepping Friday afternoon.This is when we will clean up any surfaces that need cleaning up.I would prefer that you not have the surfaces scrubbed to within an inch of their life with sandpaper.While sandpaper was a historical reality, and we will certainly have plenty on hand, it is my desire for us to rely on scrapers and burnishers to get things ready for the glories awaiting us.
If possible, please get back to me with a stated preference for the finish you are seeking to execute.Here are some viable options.
Molten beeswax, buffed with linen.In rural colonial New England this was the predominant finish.It yields a softly glowing surface that is easily repaired in perpetuity.It can help disguise lesser woods or workmanship.
True French Polish was essentially a wax ?spit polish? yielding a nearly mirror-like surface.Spectacular does not begin to describe if done perfectly.
Burnished brushed shellac is my personal favorite, and it is so sumptuous that it practically glows in the dark.
Burnished brushed colophony is a bit more brassy than the same finish in shellac, but when tuned properly it can really sing.
Padded shellac is the mystical yardstick for the finishing trades, and we will have masterful polisher David Reeves to guide us through the process to completion.
Linseed, tung, or walnut oil is a really simple finish, but hard to get completed on a weekend since it takes several days to fully harden.But, we can goose the process to make it go a little faster.
Oil resin varnishes are both historically accurate (although I doubt we will be using strict historical formulations, instead relying on my long time fave Pratt&Lambert 38 alkyd varnish) yielding durable and visually pleasing results.
Decorative painted surfaces can be accomplished by coordinating any of the previous iterations with specialized applications of dirt (pigments) or dye stains.I am hoping someone wants to make a painted blanket chest or a japanned cabinet.
Other options are possible, for example if you have your heart set on a turpentine/colophony varnish we can accommodate that.Also, some contemporary finishing materials will be available.
When you get back to me I will begin the preparations for the materials we will need to have on hand.The modest registration fee will be used to cover the costs of all the materials we will use, ranging from varnishes to rags to surgical gloves to solvents to sandpaper?
I will almost certainly be joining you by working on a veneered knife box I want to get finished and submit to APF.
If you have any favorite finishing tools, bring ?em.
Also, if you have strong opinions about vittles for lunch let me know.I generally can get by with bread and cold cuts, chips, and soda,etc.Certainly we can go into town for lunch if a longer break is desired.I will make a reservation for us to eat as a group at the Highland Inn Saturday night.Charming setting, great food.A party our size would throw them for a loop if unexpected.
[email protected]
$74 ~ $149
Laurel Point Retreat
414 Sounding Knob Road
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-3470
http://www.laurelpointretreat.com/site/Welcome.html
[email protected]
$99 ~ $195 per night
free WiFi
Arbogast Inn
364 West Main Street
P. O. Box 72
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-3278
http://www.arbogastinn.com/
[email protected]
$99 ~ $129 per night
Cherry Hill Bed and Breakfast
224 West Mill Alley
Monterey, VA 24465
540-468-1900
http://www.cherryhillbandb.com/
$95 ~ $125
WiFi
There used to be another B&B in Monterey, the Trimble House. It has closed.
The following B&Bs are farther from Monterey, but you may find them to your liking. If you decide to stay at one of these, and you need directions, please let me know.
Ginseng Mountain Lodging
Blue Grass, VA
http://www.ginsengmountain.com/Ginseng_Project_Green_from_Debo/Ginseng_Mountain_Lodging.html
$95 for sleeping for 6
13 min. from Monterey
The Inn at Gristmill Square
124 Old Mill Road
Warm Springs, VA
http://www.gristmillsquare.com/
No rates provided online
36 minutes from Monterey
The Buckhorn Inn
2487 Hankey Mountain Highway
Churchville, VA
http://www.thebuckhorninn.com/
37 minutes from Monterey
Chestnut Ridge Country Inn
Route 1
Dunmore, WV
http://www.chestnutridgecountryinn.com/
39 min. from Monterey
Fort Lewis Lodge
603 Old Plantation Way
Millboro, Virginia 24460
http://www.fortlewislodge.com/
54 minutes from Monterey
Meadow Lane Lodge & Cottages
646 Meadow Lane Trail
Warm Springs, VA
http://www.meadowlanecottages.com/
56 minutes from Monterey
Restaurants
Don tells me that there are only three restaurants in Monterey. They are all close to one another, downtown.
Haps High's Restaurant, 73 West Main St.,
The Highland Inn Dining Room, 68 West Main St.
The Mountain Hideaway Restaurant & Tavern, 37 Potomac River Road, 540-468-1575.
Navigation
Monterey is approximately 1 hour west of Staunton, VA, at the intersection of U.S. 250 & U.S. 220.
Into Google Maps Search, Enter: U.S. 220 & U.S. 250, Monterey, Highland, Virginia 24465
If you don't know how to get to Staunton, e-mail me, and I will prepare directions. In general, from the Washington DC area, take I-66 west to I-81. Take I-81 south to route 622, the Woodrow Wilson Pkwy, which is the Staunton beltway. Take 622 west to U.S. 250/Churchville Road. Take 250 west to Monterey.
From the Richmond/Charlottesville area, take I-64west to I-81 North to Route 622
The Highland Inn is on the NW corner of US.250 & U.S. 220.
Don's home and shop are about 2.8 miles north east of Monterey. The best way to find it is to enter the GPS coordinates into Google Maps or into your navigator or smart phone. Coordinates are:
38.439733,-79.57428
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.439733,-79.57428&spn=0.002909,0.004828&t=h&z=18
1. Head northeast on US-220 N/Potomac River Rd toward Mill Alley. Go 1.7 mi.
2. Turn left onto Rte 632/State Route 647. This may be labeled The Pines Rd. Go 194 ft.
3. Take the 1st left onto State Route 647. This may be labeled White's Run Road. Go 0.9 mi.
4. You will pass the entrance to a rock and gravel quarry on the left. Bear left at the next fork. Follow a split rail fence on your left. Go 433 ft.