Each week we bring you a round-up of interesting and entertaining woodworking content from the Woodworkers Institute and the web, including handy tips to help you get stuck into your next woodworking project.
Did You Know?
Antonio Stradivari, the iconic 17th-century violin maker from Cremona, Italy, created violins that have captivated musicians and collectors for centuries. Stradivari’s choice of wood played a significant role in the sound quality of his violins; he meticulously selected spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides, possibly sourced from trees that grew during the Little Ice Age. This colder period produced slower-growing trees with a tighter grain, resulting in denser wood that has ideal resonance properties.
Each violin Stradivari crafted was carved by hand, using small planes, gouges, scrapers, and knives. He achieved an exceptional level of precision, and his instruments were uniquely shaped, with exact arches and carefully designed thicknesses that allowed them to produce a rich, balanced tone.
Musicians who play these rare instruments — valued in the millions — often describe a distinct, almost mystical quality to their sound. Many believe that Stradivari’s hands-on approach and extraordinary attention to detail imbued his violins with a soul of their own, creating instruments that are not just tools for music but living pieces of art. Stradivari’s legacy has elevated woodworking in instrument-making to an art form, reminding us of the profound impact that hand tools can have art and society.
Videos of the Week
Woodworkers Institute Articles of the Week
Next Week: Making a Mid-Century Coffee Table a Little more Contemporary
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