Barry Daniel and I were quite fortunate today being invited guests at the Hobb's place in Hertford, NC. Cal and his clan are in the process of a 1 week power build of a Perquimans County desk(page 5 on the Philadelphia Slab Table play by play), actually they are building 5 of them! What an experience! Cal's parents, Ben & Jackie, offer furniture making classes on their property and what a beautiful property it is. Take your next vacation in NC and spend a week with the Hobbes. In addition to taking home a beautiful piece of furniture and the knowledge of how to build it, you will be taking home an experience you'll treasure the rest of your life.
http://hobbsfurniture.com/

Enjoy the website and enjoy the pictures!

Hey Cal- don't forget to post pictures of the finished desks!!

Chris

The experience was something I will not soon forget. I didn't expect to see 5 walnut secretaries being built when I walked into the shop. I thought they would be working on one desk, silly me .

That much walnut floating around made my mind go crazy with the ideas for projects that ran through my head. Especially since they got the wood from Irion. I need to make a road trip to that joint. The "showroom" was crazy!! Everything in the room except for a secretary was made by Mr. Hobbs (about 10 pieces, maybe more). The Showroom had a Charleston Chest on Chest that was incredible! all fiqured mahogany, it also had a beautiful pediment.

But the best part was Lunch! Mrs. Hobbs cooked up a nice rabbit stew. Yes, I said rabbit. I've never had rabbit, and it tasted like chicken or turkey (no lie!). It was very, very nice. after lunch we sat and had a very nice discussion on furniture styles and how NC furniture compares with some of the furniture from Newport (look in the Bivins book if you don't beleive me).

I think I'll be taking a chair making class in May. Mr. Hobbs and Calvin suggested I start with the Queen Anne chair, eventhough I'm partial to the Chippendale.

Chris and Barry,

Enjoyed meeting you both and I'm glad you enjoyed the visit to Dad's shop. And for the record that is the first time I have had rabbit, too! It was good though.

Although we really humped it for 7 straight days in the shop, there is still much work to be done on the desk. I got back to my house in Kansas City around 2:30 central time Sunday am. After a couple of days my hands, forearms, and legs are recovering a little bit.

I will try to post a few photos of the week's production when I get a chance.

Make sure you take the class Barry. And if you want the chippendale chair, by all means, sign up for that one. Cal

All,

Here's a quick picture of where we got by the end of the week. Thanks for looking. CH

Cal,
Not only does it look like will take home some nice starts to their projects, it apprears that they had fun and made some good friends.... Lucky men.

Cal,
Ernie is regretting wearing that t-shirt!!

Ya'll got alot done. What's the story with the blocks screwed on the bottom of the cabinet? they weren't there when I saw them. those fall fronts are awesome!!

Barry,

Sorry I missed this one earlier. Yeah the fall fronts are incredible. It's another lesson for me to not scrimp on materials. This stock turns a nice desk into a stunning desk.

The blocks are to protect the delicate corner during transport back to our own shops. In final configuration there will be a molding there but for now it is susceptible to damage. CH

cool lids....colts..HA!

Wearing a "Colt's" T-Shirt might be the reason he had his eyes closed when the picture was taken.

At least those desks are Super Winners.

Cal,

I am absolutely AMAZED at how much you all were able to accomplish in a week. Your dad must run a tight ship over there! Also, the lid material is phenomenal. I like how everyone's are booked out. That is going to a cool, cool picture one day.


Whit

207ers....

I intend to resurrect this thread from over a year ago. Now I know none of you have ever had this happen(swedishiron), but the desk I started last year is still languishing in a very incomplete state. Since last year I have built the feet and (mostly) carved them, I have dovetailed the drawers, but not fitted them or put bottoms on them.

So - this years Hobbs trip for me is to work on last year's desk. I have cleared several projects off the docket since then and now plan to focus on it until it's finished. I am hauling the stuff to NC and will work in Dad's shop all next week, and hopefully put a major dent in the remaining work.

And, for the record, Dad and Matt are complete with their desks. I am the slacker.

Look for updates coming. Cal

Cal,

First have a safe trip to NC. Second, congratulate your dad on his Cartouche honors. Third, congratulate Matt for his winning table at the WoodExpo. Next year we expect your to uphold the Hobbs tradition and submit an entry. Oh, and be there to present it as well.

Have fun with the Hobbs Power Build.

Bruce