71b: The story of the table
One of the most popular features in our meeting room is our fancy table. It was hand made especially for us, designed by the lovely guys at &made.
We wanted to create a highly sustainable table that would use the highest quality craftmanship, and in doing so support local businesses, make use of traditional practices and create something that we were sure would have an impressively long life ahead of it.
It was designed to either work as a long, single table or be split into two, and in doing so reveal the inner workings of its construction.
A crucial part of the table is the documentation of the process of its creation and the story of how it made its way to our meeting room, which is laid out here. Part of the table’s design is two QR codes which are fixed to each end of the table, linking to this story.
The people behind the table
Dave Dalby, Wood turner
How did you get into the business?
My Dad was a wood turner and I opened business on my 18th birthday
What year did you start?
1984
Your favourite and most useful tool in the process?
Woodturning chisels
Number of people involved in processing the table?
Three
Number of employees?
Four
Jason Munelly, Joiner
How did you get into the business?
I’ve always loved making things and workshops for as long as I can remember. I got into it seriously after graduating from uni, with a BSc in Engineering Product Design, and realised I did not want to be stuck at a desk staring at a computer screen… I like getting my hands dirty! I started doing freelance making work such as model making, set building (for TV and theatre) and cabinet making in both commercial workshops and my own. I’m now in my third workshop since 2003 and specialise mainly in cabinet making- fitted and freestanding furniture.
Name of business?
JJM Carpentry
What year did you start?
I started trading as JJM Carpentry in 2005. I have worked self employed as a model maker, carpenter and furniture maker since 1998
Your favourite and most useful tool in the process?
Hmm, a difficult one. I guess the Felder table saw as it is so accurate and a real pleasure to use. Favourite hand tools are my block plane and my large Sorby paring chisel.
Number of people involved in processing the table?
Myself and one other assistant
Number of employees?
It varies
Julian Rowley, Spray finisher
How did you get into the business?
We had a woodworking business which had a spray booth, and we decided to convert to a spray painting business as there was so much competition in wood working.
What’s the name of business?
Paintworks
What was the year when started?
1987
Your favourite and most useful tool in the process?
Spray gun!
Number of people involved in processing the table?
Five
Number of employees?
Twelve
