Skip to content
Lowfat Roubo, Derek Jones woodworking, tools, courses, news
Menu
  • about
    • About Derek Jones
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • All items
    • Courses
    • Cricket Tables
    • Tool Boxes
    • Tools & Equipment
    • LFR T-Shirts
    • Gift Items
    • Free Plans
  • Blog
  • Instagram
  • Contact

lowfatroubo

Full time furniture maker, tool maker, writer and Furniture Lead at London Design & Engineering UTC
Permission to rant. Permission granted. Tourist f Permission to rant. Permission granted. Tourist for the day, I found myself in St. Mary’s Church — a deserved stop on any Rye itinerary. What stopped me in my tracks were the carved screens set between the arches in the chapel. Intricate, confident, beautifully resolved work. Craftsmanship of the highest order. Naturally, I wanted to know who made them. So I asked. Nobody knew. Back home, I did a little digging. Still nothing. Well — not quite nothing. The monogram in the top left corner? Most likely not the maker at all, but the patron or church warden who commissioned the work. And that’s where my patience ran out. How can that be? No — how the fing hell* can that be? I wondered if perhaps work of this quality was once so commonplace that it didn’t warrant attribution. But then I realised this isn’t some medieval quirk — it’s a pattern. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit 10 Downing Street. The tour was excellent: anecdotes about Prime Ministers past and present, detailed attributions to paintings, artworks, objects. Yet not a word about the furniture — pieces just as original, just as skilfully made, just as culturally significant. Again. How can that be? And then we get to more recent history. I won’t name names — many of the people involved are still very much with us — but it’s striking how often the makers of exquisite objects disappear from the record, while patrons or designers are celebrated indefinitely. So yes. That’s my rant for today. If we value craft — truly value it — then crediting the maker shouldn’t be optional. It should be the starting point. #givecreditwhereitsdue
My T Level Furniture students head into their fina My T Level Furniture students head into their final assessment window on Monday — a design-and-build challenge followed by two make-to-spec projects, all against the clock and to set briefs. To prepare, we took our foot off the learning gas this week and did what makers do best: we made. What you see here are 15 chairs made from bulls%$t — from the Pocket Book series by @lostartpress — levelled and ready for assembly once the dust settles. The next five weeks will be intense. There will be pressure, probably tears along the way — but they’re a hardy bunch: resilient, capable, and they look out for each other. Oh, and they get s%$t done. 💪🪑#tlevelfurniture
I really love this little woodworking / tool-nerdy I really love this little woodworking / tool-nerdy / furniture-designy community. Whenever I can, I try to put a bit back in the pot—something that might contribute to a fellow practitioner’s development or simple enjoyment of the craft. I can’t do it as often as I’d like (far too many plates spinning at the moment), but this one couldn’t wait. Most unusual sale today at my local auction: tools, tools, and more tools. All very reasonably priced. Valuations can be wildly off sometimes and don’t always reflect what something is actually worth—which, in reality, is only what someone is willing to pay on the day. So, community announcement 📣 Hop over to @gorringesauctioneers and check out these lots. Sale’s on Monday 19th January, so I guess that’s your weekend taken care of. Have fun. D
I turn away most restoration projects these days — I turn away most restoration projects these days — simply not enough hours in the day. But I’m a sucker for a truly special piece… and this one was impossible to refuse. George I bureau, c. 1720–1730. Mahogany, original handles, a beautiful original lock plate, and original bracket feet — all in excellent original condition. Even complete with an early 20th-century depository/storage label. Funny to think this nearly 300-year-old piece will eventually sit in the foyer of a brand-new college of furniture making. It’s already been a great conversation starter — even in this dilapidated state. Massive wide back boards, a stunning sweep of mahogany veneer on the fall, and those trademark skinny oak drawer linings. It’s a beauty. #georgianfurniture #georgeI #antiquebureau #mahogany #furniturerestoration #heritagecraft #traditionalcraft #furnituremaker #antiquefurniture #historicinteriors #crafteducation #lowfatroubo #ldeutc #elfi
Been up to my ears in exam literature recently and Been up to my ears in exam literature recently and quite frankly pulling my hair out over the quality and imprecise nature of a lot of the content. These few paragraphs on the other hand are a joy to read. Great technical writing turns complex processes into simple actions. These Wealden Tools instructions are a masterclass in clarity — precise, practical, and genuinely useful. In a world of rushed manuals and vague diagrams, this is how it should be done. Top marks to @wealden_tool_company for documentation that’s as well made as their cutters. Outstanding products, outstanding customer service. 👏 #technicalwriting #wealdentoolcompany #thankyou
Yr 13 T Level Furniture students get an impromptu Yr 13 T Level Furniture students get an impromptu sliding tapered dovetail masterclass with @strazzafurniture today ahead of next weeks courses @london_iwf #furnituremakingschool
My worker bees are flying! Our 2nd year T Level F My worker bees are flying! Our 2nd year T Level Furniture students are smashing it — building cabinets for the brand-new East London Furniture Institute #elfi They’re conscientious, reliable, and full of good energy, working hard and playing hard. Outstanding individuals who come together as one team. ✅ 18 cabinets down and installed 🔨 30 still to go Proud teacher moment right here. Couldn’t ask for a better crew! 👏✨ #TLevel #FutureMakers #FurnitureStudents #CabinetMaking #EastLondonFurnitureInstitute #Teamwork #CraftAndDesign #MakerMovement #FurnitureMaking #ldeutc #lowfatroubo
It’s official - Mother Nature’s autumn fruits isle It’s official - Mother Nature’s autumn fruits isle is open for business #sloegin
Site day today, two down two to go #furnituremaker Site day today, two down two to go #furnituremaker #fittedfurniture #bespoke #builtin #lowfatroubo
Last week: cricket tables in Covington. This week: Last week: cricket tables in Covington. This week: shed surgery. Chop wood carry water #ChopWoodCarryWater #FurnitureMaker #CricketTable #CraftAndGraft #WoodworkWisdom #WorkshopLife #lowfatroubo
Final day at @lostartpress and the Universe now ha Final day at @lostartpress and the Universe now has 8 more cricket tables to add to its collection — some upright, some flat-packed for travel. It’s been a week of tenons, tapering, tea breaks, and top-notch company. Thanks to everyone who joined the class (and indulging in my little obsession)and venturing into the world of cricket tables - hopefully not for the last time. @oeioops @sloan_pe @cb.woodworking @jason_k_melin Safe travels everyone✌️ #lowfatroubo #crickettable #peggedtoperfection #lostartpress #handtoolwoodworking #drawboretenons #woodworkworkshop #thegoodlife
Today’s episode of Man vs Table is called The Good Today’s episode of Man vs Table is called The Good Life — a wholesome day of glue-ups @lostartpress. Pegs are being made by hand, Piggly No Wiggly glue is bubbling on the stove (thanks @1snugthejoiner), and the drawbored mortise and tenons are going together with a deeply satisfying clunk. All very self-sufficient - but with fewer goats. #lowfatroubo #crickettable #thegoodlife #drawboretenons #wholesomewoodworking #lostartpress #handtoolwoodworking
In today’s episode of Man vs Table @lostartpress — In today’s episode of Man vs Table @lostartpress — it’s leg tapering time. We’re deep in the weeds debating the finer points of rake vs splay. On a three-legged table… when does one become the other? Are they the same? Does it even matter? 😅 It’s gonna get nerdy real quick. Look away if you’re after a relaxing weekend — or grab your geek specs and dive in. 🧐🪚 #lowfatroubo #crickettable #rakeandsplay #lostartpress #woodnerdsunite #handtoolwoodworking @jason_k_melin @cb.woodworking
Day two @lostartpress and we’re deep into traditio Day two @lostartpress and we’re deep into traditional joinery — mortise and tenons, the old-school way with mortise chisels and hand saws. It’s quick work and noisy but seriously satisfying. We also got the tops glued up yesterday, so today we’re shaping those lovely cherry boards into… well, lovely cherry circles. 🍒🪚 #lowfatroubo #crickettable #mortiseandtenon #lostartpress #handtoolwoodworking #traditionaljoinery #woodworkworkshop #pigsticker
Greetings from Kentucky! 🇺🇸 Over @lostartpress thi Greetings from Kentucky! 🇺🇸 Over @lostartpress this week, teaching a five-day workshop on building the joined version of a classic Cricket Table. Day one is underway — we’ve got freshly machined cherry parts, great company, and seriously good pastries to keep us going. More soon as the tables (and the crumbs) come together! 🪚🍒🥐 #lowfatroubo #crickettable #lostartpress #furnituremaking #woodworkworkshop
For the last 88 years these windows have been keep For the last 88 years these windows have been keeping the outside outside and the inside inside. It’s time for rest guys, I salute you, you’ve done us proud. Let’s have a big round of applause for quality #joinery 👏👏 The threshold is oak, probably English, has a fresh coat of #buttonpolish. And before you ask, yes it’s up to the job 👊 Some new door furniture and a little making good on the inside and we’re done #stainedglass #artdeco #restorenotreplace
Follow on Instagram

Basket

Policy links

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Shipping Information
  • Refunds & Returns
  • Privacy & Online Security
  • Cookies Policy

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest news from the Lowfat Roubo workshop including courses and availability, free downloads from the website and future events. We won't inundate you with spurious offers and you can always unsubscribe.
Copyright © 2026 Lowfat Roubo – OnePress theme by FameThemes