Q: Okay we know you like it, but how did you get into woodworking?
A: I always enjoyed woodwork at school. After I left school I attended the Melbourne School of Woodcraft and completed a two year course. I initially worked for a few furniture makers before setting up my own business.

Q: Who are your woodworking heroes/gods/gurus?
A: Don’t really have any, however I do admire Sam Maloof and the Art Deco work of Jacques Ruhlmann.

Q: What do you mainly make?
A: All sorts of things—furniture including cabinets, tables, entertainment units.

Q: Your thoughts on traditional vs ‘new’ and digital?
A: Traditional construction methods are good, however I like to use them in a new way to create contemporary works. Digital photography is great.

Q: What are you pet woodworking hates?
A: Iron on edging, chipboard, MDF, woodworkers who complain they can’t make money out of woodworking and woodworkers who should stick to making and not design.

Q: What is your desert island hand tool/ machine/ timber/ woodie book?
A: My 2” Japanese boxwood handle chisel. I could make anything with this!

Q: The best thing you’ve ever made?
A: I still have not made a really really good piece, however I do like a box I make some years back to hold a pair of chopsticks.

Q: Your best excuse for not getting something quite right?
A: I don’t have any excuses. If it is not right I fix it until it is.

Q: Your most often-made mistake?
A: Cutting one sequence matched veneered panel to the wrong size. This means start again!

Q: Your biggest woodworking disaster!!?
A: Various veneering disasters with expensive veneer.

Q: The thing I would most like to change about wood is…
A: The fact that it moves. The damn stuff never stops moving.

Q: The thing I would most like to change about woodworkers is…
A: The fact that they all complain so much about nothing.

Q: The thing I would most like to change about my own woodworking is…
A: To keep improving on my design skills

Visit Anton's website: www.antongerner.com.au