Another day another log

Out in the woods the other day with Paula, who was on a work placement from college. We're trying to get some wide boards from this 10ft log. It was felled some years ago, so you couldn't call it fresh, and it took a few hours before it got used to the idea that it was going to cleave.

 Then back at the workshop on a smaller, greener, easier log. 

Paula has learnt a lot this week about how to split oak. When she becomes a physicist, hopefully she will be fusing atoms, not splitting them.

Back at the joinery bench today, hand chopping mortices to take the top rails of the livery cupboard.

Using the rebate plane to take down the leading edge of the top rail.

Before adding some detailing with a straight chisel and punch.

This rebate/detailing will extend onto the stile, but not until it's joined.