OPERATIONAL AND METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE WORK OF RICHARD HOOPER

Studio/Workshop

My studio/workshop is a rented industrial unit in a converted brewery in Liverpool. It is 1200sq ft and has three phase electricity, natural light and a recently fitted central heating system, much appreciated in the winter and also important to maintain dimensional stability in the wood. Rent is £208 per month. Service charges are £164.16 per month. Industrial rates are £87 per month. Gas (for heating) and Electricity (for power and lighting) cost about £20 per month. Materials, publicity, administration, legal/accountancy fees, insurance, photography, travel etc. are in addition.

Materials

My work is predominantly in Birch Plywood which is laminated further into large blocks from which the work is made. The ply comes in 8'x4' (2440mm x 1220mm) sheets and is 3/4in thick (18mm). The blocks are made by gluing up the plywood sheets and pressing them in a large veneer press or with clamps.

Constructional Methodology

Many of the pieces I make employ the lathe as a means of construction, others involve the use of routers, milling machines and sanding machines. The techniques are quite similar to engineering (my great grandfather worked with Brunel I'm told). Much of the time spent is in setting up machines and in jig making to ensure accuracy of production.
Subsequent shaping may be by hand carving and finishing and is invariably a time consuming hand process.

Machinery

The machines I have include, a Wadkin circular saw, a Wadkin planer thicknesser, a Bridgeport milling machine, a Wadkin overhead router, a Wadkin spindle moulder, a Wadkin 36in wheel bandsaw, a Startright bandsaw, a 36in Wadkin double disc sander, a Zimmerman profile sander an Ingersol Rand compressor for an air line, a 12ft Wadkin lathe with retractable bed, a Wadkin radial arm saw and various portable electric and air tools and a three bag dust extraction system.

Finishing

Sanding involves the use of up to five or more grades of abrasive 36, 80, 240, 320, 600, 1000 grit aluminium oxide and silicone carbide paper. I have some 16 grit paper from USA which amounts to a load of rocks glued to a canvas backing!. Sanding is very dusty, noisy, hot, tiring, thirsty and ...time consuming! Finishing ranges from untreated to my more common use of sanding sealer (two to three coats) and bees wax, each coat requiring rubbing down prior to the next.

Maintenance

If the work dulls over time, a good quality clear beeswax can be used to restore the light sheen.
Pieces should be placed so as to avoid direct sunlight and extremes of heat, cold, moisture or dryness.