Preview: Sailmaker’s Bench at Nathaniel S. Wilson Sailmaker
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March 7, 2014
Email this Video to a FriendA tour of an antique sailmaker’s bench with the tools-of-the trade explained, sets the stage for our video series on traditional sailmaking techniques. Sam Upton of Nathaniel S. Wilson Sailmakers talks about his century-old bench.
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10 Responses So Far to “Sailmaker’s Bench at Nathaniel S. Wilson Sailmaker”
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Jonathan Mc Donald says:
What do you use for stock to make the needles out of?
David Foote says:
I found this a very informative video, but it should have been titled “sailmaker’s bench tools”. Given the introduction about the history of the bench itself, I was left searching in vain for “part 2” where I could actually see the 100-year-old construction and design of a New Bedford’s sail loft sailmaker’s BENCH.
Jonathan Mc Donald says:
This is one of my favorite videos on OCH. It would be nice to see more about sail making.
Thanks for the fantastic video.
Steve Stone says:
Hi Jonathon. Did you see the 4-part series on sailmaking in Nat Wilson’s shop?
And Carole Hasse’s video on sailmaking?
Walter Allan says:
As always, a very informative video with great narration by Sam Upton. For those of us who wish we could have spent a life making sails (or boats, or designing boats, or…) you can’t beat the insights from OCH. Thanks for thinking this series up, Maynard, Steve, Erik & company. And of course, the coffee!
[We had a set of tanbark Nathaniel S. Wilson sails on our Stonehorse Innisfree built by Lance Lee’s Apprentice shop in the old days in Bath.]
Joe Guttentag says:
SO GOOD TO SEE NAT’S SHOP AGAIN AS I HAVEN’T BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME. MY HOUSE IS ACROSS THE DAMARISCOTTA RIVER FROM NAT IN SOUTH BRISTOL. NAT BUILT SALES FOR MY VERY OLD BULLSEYE WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE RIVER SINCE IT WAS LAUNCHED BY PAUL BRYANT OVER FIFTY YEARS AGO. I BOUGHT IT FROM THE FRANCES PERKINS FAMILY WHO LIVE FARTHER UP THE RIVER. I WAS INTRODUCED TO NAT BY MY GOOD FRIEND AND HIS COUSIN, MIKE WILSON, WHO IS NOW A PRODUCER OF THE JAMES BOND FILMS. ANOTHER EXCELLENT OFF CENTER PRODUCTION!!!!
Peter A. Viau says:
Gentlemen,
Fantastic subject and expertly shared. Thanks for the inspiration. Pete
Carolyn & Ron Pease says:
Wonderful, very interesting !! Before I had watched this video, I had been working on investments, RMDs and consolation of wills etc. My brain was very tired. But then I watched this video on sail making and the hand tools that were used ti repair and make these beautiful sails and how they were used. My thoughts were softened and I was able to relax. I suggest that anyone looking for a gift to give an older person,look no more you are watching the very best gift. Ron
David Tew says:
Oops. I see that Maynard mentioned the Morgan’s sails project….
David Tew says:
I worked building boats downstairs from Nat when he opened his first loft in Maine, 1975 or so. He made a cotton gaff sail for my Cotuit skiff. It was always nice to visit with him a bit after work. He was so knowledgable, pleasant and helpful. Fun guy to be around. Now he’s making all the new sails for the Charles W. Morgan and her next voyages!