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Victorian Window Head

For the last six or seven years, I’ve included some type of architectural trim presentation during my Finish Carpentry Clinics at Katz Roadshow events. For most of that time, I’ve built a fancy pediment with raking molding joined by a transition piece—a Greek Revival design common throughout the country. You can read more about that pediment in “Greek Revival and Italianate Trim.”

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(Note: Click any image to enlarge)

But for the last few years, Ive built a much simpler, classical head so that I could focus on specific techniques that are critical components of production carpentry.

I dont think production carpentry is a negative or pejorative phrase. On the contrary, learning to work efficiently while simultaneously improving the quality of your work is a good thing. In the process, you learn more about the work you do, which provides more opportunity for growth in your trade and improves your ability to handle more challenging tasks.

The Victorian window head I use at many Roadshows today is not a pediment. Its a classical straight entablature.

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In this classical head presentation, I focus on two primary fundamentals of trim carpentry: how to identify inside and outside corner miters by short points and long points, and how to move your material in only one direction at your saw while cutting running molding (baseboard, crown molding, and chair rail).

Comments/Discussion

6 Responses to “Victorian Window Head”

  1. Dan Ackermann

    This is a wonderful video, very inspirational. Makes me want to re trim my front door!

    Reply
  2. David Tuttle

    Gary! so ONE, this you’ve driven into our heads with your DVD’s which are SO 2012, and this is a bit if you had 3D… is this your Halloween special?

    I do know it’s an introduction for Newbs… but if YouTube had 3D, it’d make the top 10 of B video’s….

    Reply
  3. David Tuttle

    I did not mean for my comment to sound negative… I still make stupid mistakes… so I listen and watch… I was going for the “funny guy mode”

    Reply
  4. gary irwin

    Technique and process…technique and process. Thanks for reminding us. I used to enjoy watching David Marks as well and particularly took note of his methods. It truly is the simple things we tend to forget.

    Reply

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