Conceptual Woodcraft by Marc Ponte

11/14/2023

Here is a picture of my grandfather and myself at 15, 22 (give or take) years ago. This is one of the very few pictures in existence of me with long hair. My grandfather was an extraordinary man, and it wasn’t until after he retired at 62 as a butcher that he went on signing up for classes and learning new skills just for the sake of doing fun new things that he had an interest in, some of which were furniture making/restoration and chair caning. I suppose I unintentionally followed in his footsteps.

(Also, take a look at that Bird, what a beauty of a bandsaw—once used for processing meat/quartering animals—what I wouldn’t give to get my hands on that thing for my shop now!)

09/20/2023

Just refinished this customers entire basement, and installed a movie theatre sized screen and projector, why not build him a concession stand too?

This bartop started as a red maple burl slab, which had a gnarly bow in it. I meticulously hand planed and surfaced the faces of it until it was flat enough to fill in with 10 gallons of epoxy resin. What a fun project!

09/05/2023

Different pieces of equipment produce differing amounts of sawdust. But one shop tool is the undisputed champion of making a mess. No other piece of equipment is able to make a 4 foot pile of sawdust 6-7” high in less than 20 minutes.

Any guesses?

08/15/2023

Haven’t made a post lately, because I’ve been too busy on a basement remodel job to even work in the shop. But not today! Today I’m sanding down a 6 foot red maple burl slab for a customers bartop, and there’s two things I wanted to share:

1, red maple burls produce some awesome coloring and figuring, this thing is going to look stunning when it’s finished.

And 2, this is my first time using my new pneumatic sanding set up, and guys, let me tell you, Hole. Lee. Schidt. Now I see why people swear by pneumatic over electric all day. Little higher on the vibration (but not much, and I also haven’t shopped around much for palm sanders yet either, so I’m sure there’s something better out there than this 100$ husky) but other than that, I have nothing but compliments over complaints. Removes material quickly and quietly, and it seems like with far less swirl patterns, I would imagine because it actually produces a “random” orbital pattern, as opposed to what seems like random, but is just a repeated sequence of movements.

Anybody have any recommendations on pneumatic palm sanders, or do you prefer electric?

05/29/2023

To say that this project was a learning experience is an understatement. There hasn't been a build that I've completed as of yet that I've spent more time, energy, and focus completing than this one.

This chessboard was commissioned by Taylor for her partner Antonio, and she gave me pretty much full creative control of the project. The two sides/woods are spalted Maple, and Cherry burl. Some of the detail work is also black walnut.

I couldn't just leave this as a normal photo post, it really required and deserved its own "making of" video, so here it is! Music is “Falcon Jab” by Ratatat.

04/30/2023

Another project wrapped, with the best results any maker could ask for — an elated customer rendered speechless with the final product.

Also, check out Tristate Crystalcollective for any and all of your fine gemstone needs, it’s founder John Missovoulos supplied this Namibian amethyst from his personal collection.

04/30/2023

Between my health issues and me having obligations to other customers I was doing work for, Majik Mike waited a longer time for his staff back than I typically like to keep anyone waiting. It was a relief to hear him say that it was “well worth the wait.” I think it’s safe to say even Mike experienced a little magic tonight!

I’m so happy that you love it, Majik Mike!

Shout out to John Missovoulos of Tristate Crystalcollective who supplied the Namibian amethyst from his personal collection.

04/29/2023

Majik Mike is a prominent figure among the local music festival scene, and was one of the first people to help make me feel accepted and included when I first started coming around and playing music at them. If you know him, you also are familiar with his walking staff, which is legendary in its own rights. So when Mike asked me if I would replace the stone that was previously atop his staff with a new one—a gorgeous smokey amethyst scepter with hematite inclusions from Namibia, that came from Johnny at Tristate Crystalcollective’s personal collection—and said that there are few that he would trust with the job, of course I was honored to do just that.

Unfortunately for those reading this post, you don’t get to see it just yet, because Mike hasn’t seen it. But that’s about to change very shortly, and I will be sure to update you with his reaction. Stay tuned!

12/31/2022

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