Sawdust Bureau | Other
Sawdust Bureau
Phone: +61 432 886 513
Reviews
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25.01.2022 Come down to see our Dish Table at @vividdesigncomp as part of Decor & Design in Melbournes Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. Well be there in person at the VIVID stand 10am-5pm Thurs & Fri 10am-4pm Saturday. Come say and if you like our piece head over and cast your vote at the link below ... https://www.houzz.com.au/showcase/VIVID2019/
25.01.2022 Love this shot of ‘Jax’ - a hallway console piece made from Vic Ash and Spotted Gum. The kinked profile of the piece creates a plant shelf or a perch to sit on. @northside_studio
25.01.2022 Only 2hrs to go in the auction for our Bushfire fundraiser of this collaboration coffee table with @kingsisters_art , all of the proceeds will be split between @cfavic @wwf_australia & @redcrossau - DM us or SMS to make a bid. Auction closes 8pm AEST. Visit sawdustbureau.com/fundraiser for more information
24.01.2022 Some on set fun at the photoshoot of our latest cabinet commission today with @northside_studio. Bookcase > Whiskey cabinet Business to the left, Party to the right.
24.01.2022 After attending the Melbourne #climatestrike a fortnight ago I have been looking at making changes to ways my business can support a positive change to our environment and work towards reducing our carbon footprint. From now on Ill be donating a portion of every sale to an Australian tree-planting not-for-profit. I dont want this to be a point of difference for my business, but instead would love it if a crowd of makers got on board with the idea. Shoot me a DM if you are... interested and well chat. 1% of the sale of a Pinch Bench could equal 10 trees. Imagine if every maker globally got on board. In fact, dont imagine. Lets just actually do it. Tag a maker that you think might be interested below After all, no trees = no makers!
24.01.2022 Calling last orders on Sawdust Tees AU$35 & Hoodies AU$75 (prices include global shipping ) - Ill be placing the order with the screen printers on Monday morning so Sunday evening is the cutoff deadline to get yours. Head to the online store page on my site (link below) https://www.sawdustbureau.com/store... Cheers to all those who have already ordered and for supporting an Aussie micro business @ Melbourne City Centre
23.01.2022 Joints as hot as the Melbourne sun today Double bridle joints fresh off the table saw. We use an over the fence, shop-made tenoning jig to cut these. Tip 1 - Mark your tenons with a 0.5mm mechanical pencil = accurate layout. ... Tip 2 - Cut lots of extra stock to get the fit dialled in to perfect before cutting your finished pieces. Tip 3 - Set the blade at about 3/4 of the joint height to hog out the waste on the first pass before adjusting your flat top kerf blade to its final height. Tip 4 - avoid going too tight on the joints, youll just end up squeezing all the glue out. My rule of thumb is that you cant assemble it by hand, its too tight
23.01.2022 Brass rivers have been flush trimmed and topographic contours have been engraved into our latest coffee table commission. The final step involves embedding volcanic cores from rocks collected around the Macedon region (north of Melbourne) by the client. Each stone marks the volcano it was collected from. Stay tuned for progress.
22.01.2022 One of our customisable ‘Dish’ starmap tables off to it’s new home today. Happy 20th anniversary Michael & Tania
21.01.2022 At a loose end in Melbourne on this Grand Final holiday? Head up to Heide Museum of Modern Art and check out the fantastic An idea needing to be made ceramics exhibition, featuring our mammoth 19 metre long Frankentable, a collaboration with @johnwardlearchitects and made by us with much blood, sweat and tears. Loved every second of it! Exhibition curated by the awesome Glenn Barkley and Leslie Harding runs till October 20th, and features an array of the best ceramic artists from around the globe - make sure you dont miss out! https://www.heide.com.au//idea-needing-be-made-contemporar
20.01.2022 Our guests on the Shopstool podcast this week were the awesome Ivy and Audi aka @siosidesign who joined us live from . There gave so many great insights about how they moved from art/photography and automotive backgrounds into the world of furniture design and making. https://podcasts.apple.com//the-shop-stool-p/id1322423537 Head over to apple podcasts, stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts if you need some Monday morning listening material in your shop this week
20.01.2022 Lovely Sunday afternoon read of our write up in this months @woodreview - pick up your copy from newsagents across Aus and NZ.
19.01.2022 This week has been a tough one. The week that I lost my mentor and the man that inspired me to make and design. The memories of childhood spent in his workshop making model aeroplanes and tying fishing flies will always be in my heart. Love you and miss you already Poppa RIP
19.01.2022 Delighted to announce that I have joined up the team at The Shop Stool podcast to co-host with @robinlewismakes and @kingposttimberworks - head over to wherever you get your podcasts from and give it a listen. This week we chatted about the background of my business and The Treemaker initiative.
19.01.2022 The winding rivers and creeks of the Macedon Ranges were mapped in brass inlay in our Dja Dja coffee table. Expertly shot as always by @northside_studio
19.01.2022 As my adopted homeland burns, the lack of leadership at the helm of this country is truly heartbreaking. This is an apolitical matter. It goes so far beyond left vs right, green vs capitalist, climate deniers vs scientists. Just an ounce of heartfelt compassion shown to those who have lost everything and those who put their lives in mortal danger trying to protect this land. @scottmorrisonmp do something, anything...or f*ck off back to Hawaii (sorry Hawaii, hopefully you can find a deserted island to put him on). This week we will be auctioning a piece of furniture with all the proceeds being split between donations to @cfavic @redcrossau and @wwf_australia (or a related aid programme of the auction winners choosing). Stay tuned for auction details. @mattabbottphoto @ Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
19.01.2022 Its been a long time coming but our crib build video is FINALLY ready to go, the only bonus from COVID lockdown part 2 in Melbourne is having a bit more time on your hands for editing Youtube videos! The crib was designed and made for the latest addition to the Sawdust Bureau team, our son, Xavi. It is made from NSW native White Mahogany with Red Ironbark splines and wedged tenons. It features a drop down panel side (check the rules and regs in your country or region to see ...if this complies, in Australia it currently does comply), the drop panel mechanism was created with the Shaper Origin. Hope you all enjoy the video. Cheers Bryan https://youtu.be/2t2EJoDt9lw
18.01.2022 A shot of the ‘stash drawer’ concealed within the end elevation of our Jax hallway console. Soft close, undermount and felt lined . @northside_studio
18.01.2022 When the apprentice becomes the master! Couldn’t be prouder of my fabulous intern @vivienne_l_wong forging her career as a designer maker and gracing the front cover of @woodreview Issue 111 . Pick up a copy now to read how Viv transitioned from ballet to fine woodworking. Again massive props to Wood Review for supporting independent emerging makers
18.01.2022 Needless to say it has been an EXCEPTIONALLY weird couple of weeks since our last podcast so we thought wed try to discuss the impacts of Covid-19 on our respective businesses - link is: https://podcasts.apple.com//the-shop-stool-po/id1322423537 There is usually a bit of a delay between recording, editing and uploading the podcast, so big shout-out to @robinlewismakes for getting it all done in under 24hrs after we recorded yesterday afternoon. It is hard to imagine any m...aker business that isnt going to be decimated by the various government shutdowns in different states, territories and countries around the . Just know we are all in the same boat together and if anyone is feeling like it is too much feel free to drop me a DM or a phone call . We are all suffering but hopefully we can stay strong and rebuild once the all important lockdowns are done. Perhaps for the next few episodes well look at interviewing some local makers, tag anyone youd love to hear from in the comments below. Stay safe, stay healthy and look after each other.
16.01.2022 It's been a long time coming but our crib build video is FINALLY ready to go, the only bonus from COVID lockdown part 2 in Melbourne is having a bit more time on your hands for editing Youtube videos! The crib was designed and made for the latest addition to the Sawdust Bureau team, our son, Xavi. It is made from NSW native White Mahogany with Red Ironbark splines and wedged tenons. It features a drop down panel side (check the rules and regs in your country or region to see ...if this complies, in Australia it currently does comply), the drop panel mechanism was created with the Shaper Origin. Hope you all enjoy the video. Cheers Bryan https://youtu.be/2t2EJoDt9lw
16.01.2022 Our ‘Jax’ Hallway console in full. The piece features slatted storage shelving, a plant shelf / perch to sit and a concealed valuables stash drawer. Expertly captured as always by @northside_studio
16.01.2022 A matrix of clamps help keeps everything square in this White Mahogany memory box glue-up. Band clamps top and bottom close up the mitres then quick grip clamps square it up with some light pressure diagonally. A quick measure across both diagonals ensures it is perfectly square. Next step is to add some reinforcing splines in contrasting red gum. So nice to be back in the studio working on projects, albeit small ones to start.
15.01.2022 Part 2 of the video covering the @augusthomeinc smart lock install on a bespoke timber door. Hope that covered it @j__ferg
15.01.2022 A work-in-progress shot of a custom version of our Dish Table. Next step is flush trimming the brass inlay and sanding to a polished finish. This star map captures the stars as viewed on the wedding date of the client from the location of the venue. Makes for the perfect anniversary
14.01.2022 Ive had a few people DM me about buying some Sawdust Bureau branded gear.....well you are now in luck. Tees AU$35 and Hoodies $75 inc GLOBAL SHIPPING I plan on placing an order with the screen printers on 14th Feb, so head to my online store and place an order before then thanks for all the support! Both are available in black or grey and sizes S-XL.... Www.sawdustbureau.com/store
14.01.2022 There might be no fancy awards ceremony at the Sydney Opera House (or anywhere given it’s 2020!) but we are thrilled to announce our ‘Dining Island’ has picked up a at the Good Design Awards. The project was a bespoke commission for a Melbourne-based client’s micro apartment. Their brief called for a kitchen island bench and 2-person dining table which could extend to seat 6/7; The solution was a sliding, docking extension on custom made rollers. View more of the project... via www.sawdustbureau.com/dining-island Northside Studio northsidestudio.com.au
14.01.2022 Looking forward to sharing a stage with this legend in the Australian Furniture scene for a couple of events at this weekends Wood Dust conference in Melbourne. For those coming along to @fab9au this weekend, Adam Markowitz (www.markowitzdesign.com) and I will be presenting 9am-10:30am tomorrow on how we keep the lights on and navigate that tricky path of turning a passion in making into a profession. Then from 11am-12.30pm well be joining a panel at the @vicwoodworkers s...tage with @ecowooddesign and Hamish hill to discuss our various design approaches. Fantastic to see an awesome array of local talent we are fortunate enough to have in Down Under will be there @bernchandleyfurniture @theladyinthewhiteute @nickrenniehfd @bricolagebuilt @olas_design @darcy.d.furniture @leesinclairdesignco @glencrossfurniture
13.01.2022 50 years ago this week man first set foot on the moon. Our piece The Dish celebrates Australias @csirogram involvement with broadcasting the images to the world via the Parkes Radiotelescope View the showing the process behind crafting the piece below. The Dish received an Honourable Mention at the VIVID awards and will be on display at Decor and Design, Melbourne Exhibition Centre today until 4pm and tomorrow 10am-3pm.
13.01.2022 A close-up detail shot of our Dja Dja coffee table commission. The stone inlays were igneous rock samples collected across the Macedon Ranges, which were mapped in the surface of the piece. Each rock collected was labelled and geographically linked located each dormant volcano that it erupted from. The stone was cut flat, cored, wet sanded and polished before being inlayed into the timber. Other features such as topographic contours were engraved and creeks and rivers represented by a brass inlay. Thanks to @nicholas_burridge for all his wonderful work on the stone and to @northside_studio for the awesome
12.01.2022 Putting some finishes touches on our new hallway piece, aka Jax Bench before final assembly. Not too much longer to go @maxreynolds1234 @jenni.reynolds1
12.01.2022 Xavi looks pretty stoked with his Starmapped table in Blackbutt timber. The brass star map inlay is tuned to map the exact time, date and location of his birthday. This one however wasnt made by me, but is all the work of his uber-talented mum @lanicush Made with love in our COVID lockdown backyard workshop. For more information or to order yours visit:... www.starmapped.com.au Thanks again for all the support during lockdown
12.01.2022 Sawdust Bureau 2019 Year-in-review wrap up - https://mailchi.mp/0ebcb/sawdust-bureau-2019-year-in-review Includes our Top 5 projects of the year and other notable highlights....
12.01.2022 Im excited to be joining a panel discussion at this years WoodDust, featuring my friends and woodworking peers Adam Markowitz (www.markowitzdesign.com) & Stephen Ziguras (www.ecowooddesign.com.au) alongside my woodworking mentor at University, Hamish Hill, for a chat about our varying approaches to design and the business of making. The first designer /maker conference of its type in Australia will be held in Footscrays @fab9au space 10-11th August. Tickets via the www.wooddustaustralia.com
12.01.2022 Weve been working flat out in the background over the COVID lockdown with the creation of our new furniture brand, Starmapped, home to our customisable, brass inlay star map coffee tables / wall art. www.starmapped.com.au 800mm diameter coffee table or 500mm side table (low and high versions) available in Blackbutt or Spotted Gum timber.... Until the 1st August we are offering 15% off - use the code LAUNCH15 at checkout. Shipping available Australia wide.
11.01.2022 I’ve had a few comments and DM’s about the leg structure of the coffee table we posted yesterday. Here is the original concept sketch - each end frame consists of two horizontal and two legs. The pair of horizontals are glued into 6mm routed rebates in each leg. NB - The lower horizontal connection ended up being removed after a prototype showed the frame was sturdy enough without them
11.01.2022 While the world isolates and quarantines we were lucky enough to welcome a smiling, giggly, farting bundle of joy into our lives. Born on 21.03.20 we wonder if he will ever believe the stories of the world shutting down as he came into it. Thank you little Xavier Stanley Jack Cush for bringing so much joy (and lack of sleep) in your first week. It will be a while before he gets to fully experience his custom crib, but I think he enjoyed the test drive.
10.01.2022 Next week we are starting on a batch of our Pixel end grain chefs boards ....hit us up if you would like to add a board of your own to the batch run. Starting at AU$395 customisable to any dimensions and made from 100% Australian timbers. National and international shipping also available. https://www.sawdustbureau.com/product-p/pixel-cutting-board
08.01.2022 My tools of the trade have two new, clunky additions. Nonetheless it’s a big relief to be back in the studio after 6 challenging weeks. That’s to everyone for all the support and well-wishes. Special thanks to my amazing wife @lanicush for all her patience and love. Great to be making sawdust again
07.01.2022 This week on The Shop Stool podcast @kingposttimberworks @robinlewismakes and I chat about the knock on effects of last minute changes and modifications to projects - such as having to cut up a perfectly powdercoated frame to fit through the clients doorway due to erroneous measure up . We cover when is it ok to say no to a client, and should something be added to our contracts with them to ensure we dont end up footing the bill. Whether its a last minute design change, or theyd rather have a gloss finish after seeing it in satin, these changes can drastically alter the schedule of a project. Head over to iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from and give it a listen. https://podcasts.apple.com//the-shop-stool-p/id1322423537
07.01.2022 Various people have commented that our Pinch Bench has an instrumental appearance, turn the sound up and listen to the sounds of our intern, Vivs perfectly tuned bench .
07.01.2022 The next stage in the White Mahogany memory box is fitting the Jarrah reinforcement splines. The gap between the first and second spline is 3.5mm wider than the others to take into account the width of the saw blade used to cut and detach the lid. It might be a tiny detail but it would have been enough to throw the eye and look like an error in the setout otherwise.
05.01.2022 The final 24HRS of our online fundraiser auction of our @kingsisters_art coffee table collaboration! Bidding currently stands at $2200. DM me or SMS to lodge a bid. Visit sawdustbureau.com/fundraiser for more information. thanks to everyone who has bidder so far, over 30 different people, hats off to everyone and lets keep it going!
05.01.2022 I hate to keep banging the drum, but Victoria’s sole traders need your help, who knows if a petition will do anything, but at least it is a positive step. Without swift action thousands of sole traders, artists and makers will be forced to close, decimating Australia’s cultural, creative and entrepreneurial economies. We are not asking for $30k’s worth of business grants, just some sort of assistance to help cover overheads. IF Victoria exits stage 3 lockdowns on 23rd Novem...ber that will have been 165 days of lockdown in 2020. A reduced Jobkeeper programme CANNOT be considered enough support to keep our businesses alive. Something has to change. Change fast. http://chng.it/tmRWh2R4Hj
05.01.2022 I had a great first day back in the workshop for 2021 fitting these stay-free Neat Hinge XL’s from @fine_box_hardware_ It’s my first time fitting them and I have to say I am MASSIVELY impressed. They come with a pretty hefty price tag but the quality is evident and for my most premium memory boxes these will now be my go to hardware. The trickiest stage in the setup is getting the router fence set up perfectly centred and then the climb cutting required to router the corresponding rebates.
05.01.2022 Xavi load-testing his @hydrowood Tasmanian Oak memory box. The timber is salvaged from the bottom of Lake Pieman after it was flooded as a hydro dam 30 years ago. I managed to get the box finished just in time before he grew out of it Now to fill it with memories of 2020 and hopefully slightly less mental years that lie ahead!
04.01.2022 We've been working flat out in the background over the COVID lockdown with the creation of our new furniture brand, Starmapped, home to our customisable, brass inlay star map coffee tables / wall art. www.starmapped.com.au 800mm diameter coffee table or 500mm side table (low and high versions) available in Blackbutt or Spotted Gum timber.... Until the 1st August we are offering 15% off - use the code LAUNCH15 at checkout. Shipping available Australia wide.
04.01.2022 For anyone looking for a last minute, locally made Xmas gift, we have one 11-point Bench in stock for sale at 25% off. Available to collect until 23rd December.
03.01.2022 Install is all done on this bespoke timber and steel hybrid construction door and thought Id take you through the smart lock system we fitted. Its an @augusthomeinc brand Smart lock Pro 3rd Gen (purchased via Amazon and shipped from ) which is retrofitted to the reverse side of your existing deadlock (takes about 3 minutes to fit). Advantage is that it doesnt look like a smart lock from the outside. Optional Keypad can be tucked away anywhere within Bluetooth range, a...nd you can unlock automatically via the Bluetooth/wifi proximity sensor, a smartphone app or go old-school and just use your old key. Have to say, it is on the pricier side of premium smart locks, but Ive been extremely impressed with it so far. @j__ferg - drop me a message if you have any other questions about it highly recommended. Thanks to @vivlilingwong and @thetimbershack for the help fitting it...definitely wasnt a one person job.
03.01.2022 When life as a sole trader in 2020 Melbourne throws you the only thing for it is 2 monster G&Ts I am not an epidemiologist so I am happy to defer to the science on COVID at ALL times ahead of the tinfoil nonsense merchants out there. However I am extremely disappointed at the lack of support shown to sole traders and artists by the Victorian Government. Tailing off jobkeeper programme (which was never designed to address 8 weeks of total shutdown) and having zero busine...ss grants available for sole traders is going to leave thousands of entrepreneurs and artists unable to cover their overheads. The additional and unnecessary burden thousands more unemployed will put on the long term future of Victoria must be addressed now. If you dont have a union your cause, what options do you have but to shut up shop and go on the dole. Very sad, very challenging times lay ahead. @danielandrewsmp just remember Victoria without the arts is just the Gold Coast (without the good weather or the beaches). Cheers to everyone doing it tough out there tonight
03.01.2022 The brass rod inlay has been trimmed flush, sanded and first coat of finish applied. This custom version of our Dish table nearing completion
02.01.2022 We are auctioning one of our 'Ancestors' coffee tables - a collaboration piece with award-winning Indigenous artist, @sarritaking to support the Australian Red Cross, WWF and CFA in their efforts battling against all the odds in the ongoing Australian Bushfire crisis. Submit your silent bid (along with your name, phone number and email address) in even AU$10 increments via : 1. Social media Direct Message via our Instagram, Facebook pages. 2. Email [email protected] 3. S...MS your bid to +61432886513 Auction will end at 8pm AEST on Monday 13th January 2020. Full terms and conditions at: www.sawdustbureau.com/fundraiser
02.01.2022 https://www.theage.com.au//whittling-the-weekend-away-the- Great write up in The Age of the studio we were lucky enough to be a part of with the team from John Wardle Architects on Bruny Island. Thanks to Luke Slattery and Chris Crerar for the article
01.01.2022 The a great response to our tree-planting / carbon offsetting programme last week we have worked up an online resource guide for what we are coining The Treemaker Initiative. Tag a furniture maker, carpenter, builder, cabinet maker or architect down below, get them to head over to www.sawdustbureau.com/treemaker and join us in pledging 1% of their business income to a local tree planting / protection charity. Lets do this link is in my profile. https://www.sawdustbureau.com/treemaker
01.01.2022 We are auctioning one of our Ancestors coffee tables - a collaboration piece with award-winning Indigenous artist, @sarritaking to support the Australian Red Cross, WWF and CFA in their efforts battling against all the odds in the ongoing Australian Bushfire crisis. Submit your silent bid (along with your name, phone number and email address) in even AU$10 increments via : 1. Social media Direct Message via our Instagram, Facebook pages. 2. Email [email protected] 3. S...MS your bid to +61432886513 Auction will end at 8pm AEST on Monday 13th January 2020. Full terms and conditions at: www.sawdustbureau.com/fundraiser
01.01.2022 Wishing my Poppa @stanrob2 a very happy 95th birthday today. Hes been mentor and inspiration in making and woodworking from as far back as I can remember. Gutted we cant get over to NZ but well be toasting you remotely with a glass of in Melbourne tonight. X....and yes 95 and he and my Nana have an Instagram account. Legends
01.01.2022 As we are enter 6 weeks of full COVID lockdown and curfews here in Melbourne we are trying our best to focus on the positives, despite all the negativity. The financial and physiological struggle will be tough but we will do everything possible to battle on and keep Sawdust Bureau alive and kicking. Massive props to all the other Melbourne makers out there doing it tough and unable to claim business grants due to the exclusion of sole traders from the grants process (I wont... get into any more politics than this I promise!). Anyway, we still have one of our 440mm L x 375mm W Pixel chefs boards available for purchase from our last batch, who knows when well next get the chance to get into our workshop to make the next one! It is made from Australian native timbers (Red Ironbark and Blackbutt) and is available for $449 (shipping in Victoria is $20, shipping rest of Australia is $40). DM us if youd like to purchase. Thanks again for all the support weve received during this tough period from clients, friends and family. Cheers Bryan.
