Today, we have Keith Newton on the show. Keith has been a woodworker since his early teens. Over the course of a lifetime, he has honed his skills. He always strives for harmony with the wood and the piece the wood finally becomes. Keith chooses his logs carefully and orients them on the sawmill for the maximum benefit the log will yield. The cut slabs dry for three and a half years. Logs are urban salvage and farm field pull-outs. It is important to him that the wood he chooses has been saved from a trip to the biomass plant.
Always driven to try new things, he taught himself to make violins. It was in that self-imposed tutelage he perfected his finishing techniques. Over the course of many years, Keith has accumulated many machines and tools instrumental to his woodworking. Sanding and surfacing machines, elbow grease, and a fortune in sandpaper are the formula behind his smooth finishes. Keith also has outstanding veneer and pressing capabilities for lovely panels, chests, and cabinets. His work predominately incorporates live edge.
He is inspired by the beauty in nature and wants to bring that natural feeling that the outdoors brings.
Keith works from his studio/shop on 2.5 acres in Fresno, CA. His many dogs are his constant companions and will greet you at the gate.
Books:
Understanding Wood: A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology R. Bruce Hoadley
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