Today, many people are looking for a way to get “back to nature”
right in their own homes. They want a down-home appeal with furniture
that is made right here in the U.S.A. Not always easy to find, that’s
for sure. But just what is it about Rustic Furniture that so many people
are enjoying today?
For one thing, many of people are drawn to furniture that is not only
aesthetically appealing but also has a look that makes you want to
reach out and touch it. That’s what rustic furniture is all about. Each
piece should be handcrafted by a local artisan, not mass produced in a
machine shop. And while there are many companies who manufacture rustic
furniture, only a few go about it the right way. Starting with the
logging process.
Montana Woodworks® logs are harvested in the Kootenai National Forest
via a very selective process. Lodge pole pine is chosen due to its
superior strength versus weight ratio and because it is generally
straighter, thus easier to work with. Skilled woodmen select each tree
with an attentive eye toward the quality, straightness and size of each
specimen. After felling, each piece is hand carried to the road to
ensure that it remains undamaged and that its removal does not scar the
landscape. As a measure of their commitment to the environment, Montana
Woodworks prohibits the use of heavy equipment in the harvest their logs
as the equipment and machinery would damage the surface texture of
their products and most importantly, harm the surrounding environment.
Only
trees that are “standing dead”, that is, they have died but not fallen,
are chosen for their furniture. Conversely, trees that have died and
fallen to the ground are not used as they are subject to absorbing
moisture. Some discoloration is likely even in logs prepared from
standing dead timber. The most prolific form of this discoloration is
varying shades of blue. Sometimes referred to as ‘blue pine’ these
pieces exhibit unique characteristics often sought by customers. Montana
Woodworks prohibits the harvest and use of live trees in their
operations as trees that are alive or “green” are subject to warping in
the future. Removing standing dead timber from forests greatly reduces
the danger of catastrophic firestorms such as those recently witnessed
throughout the West. No wildlife habitat is harmed in their operations,
as trees large enough to be inhabited are generally too large to be used
in their products.
The Preparatory Process
After harvest, the logs are stored until sufficiently dry for use in the
building of their furniture. During this drying period, some checking
or cracking is likely and expected to occur. This is a natural process;
it does not in any way affect the structural integrityLog Peeling of the
log or the finished product. The Montana Collection pieces are peeled
in a process that removes the outer bark using a very sharp, hand-drawn
knife known as a “drawknife”. We choose this method because it gives the
finished product an excellent texture and color contrast, whereas
mechanical peelers only produce an unattractive, generic texture and
little color contrast. During the hand-peeling process, the craftsman
also remove some of the inner bark creating a “skip-peeled” texture. The
Glacier Country Collection pieces are finished in the unique,
one-of-a-kind look reminiscent of the Grand Lodged of the Rockies, circa
1900. First the craftsmen remove all of the outer bark while leaving
the inner “cambium: layer behind for texture and contrast. Then the
finish is applied in an intensive, eight step professional spraying
process that applies stain and lacquer for a beautiful, long lasting
finish. For those customers who desire a ‘cleaner’ look, we also offer
the option of removing all of the inner bark. This is type of peeling is
known as “clean peeled” and incurrs a slight up-charge to cover the
additional labor. Clean peeled items are special order items and must be
specified at the time of order.
Mortise and Tenon Joinery
Montana Woodworks furniture is assembled using round mortise and tenon
joinery. Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon style joint has been
used for millennia by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of
wood into a rigid and strong assembly. For the mortise, or the hole, we
use a variety of different drill presses and drill bit sizes. For the
tenon, or the peg, we use a machine called a “Log Woofer”. This machine
works much like a very large pencil sharpener leaving a tapered end or
tenon. Carefully sanding each piece of furniture before, during, and
after the assembly process to smooth the furniture’s surface and to
reduce the risk of gaining splinters is a standard Montana Woodworks®
procedure ensuring the highest quality product possible. During the
assembly process, we apply a powerful adhesive into the mortise, or the
hole, before joining the two pieces. After joining the two pieces, we
use wood screws or staples to hold the two pieces firmly together until
the adhesive sets. This drying period takes approximately twenty-four
hours.
Finishing
After assembly, the items are again sanded and carefully re-inspected.
Following the comprehensive inspection, the items are packaged to
prevent dust collection and moved into inventory. If ordered by the
customer, we varnish the item with a clear lacquer finish or stain and
lacquer if ordered in the Glacier Country style. For those who purchase
Ready to Finish items, we reccomend protecting the original color and
texture of your rustic log furniture with a lacquer or water based
varnish finish. If left unfinished, the wood will yellow over time. Most
hardware stores and do-it-yourself warehouses sell small amounts of
lacquer or water-based varnish and the tools necessary to complete the
task. We highly recommend the application of two coats of clear lacquer
or water based varnish finish to each piece of new Montana Woodworks®
furniture; doing so will protect the color and the beauty of the wood
for many years.
Why pick Montana Woodworks? They are the single largest and most
trusted manufacturer of handcrafted rustic furnishings in the nation.
They manufacture all of our log furniture items in our own factory here
in Northwestern Montana, U.S.A.
You can buy Montana Woodworks furniture at Odyssey Homestore.
They are very knowledgeable about the product and work directly with
the manufacturer to ensure you are receiving the highest quality
furniture. (888) 564 – 4744
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