Benicia High Woodworker Wants to Design Furniture

When they are standing still, it's hard to tell Cole and Grant Friesen apart. But set them loose in the wood shop and Cole stands out. The senior is is one of three who wood shop teacher Ed Muscolino says stands out in his 34-year teaching career.

"If the teacher is busy and we need something, we ask him," said Grant Friesen, hooking a thumb in the direction of his twin.

Cole Friesen's big project this year is a 1950s-style coffee table made from jatobo, sometimes referred to as Brazilian cherry wood. 

Missing from the table are metal fasteners. The stringer attaches to the legs with dowels. The top will attach to the legs with dowels as well.  "It'll be dowels and glue holding it together," said Friesen.

The table has been sanded and is awaiting its final finish before Friesen packs it up and heads to Sacramento to enter the table in the California State Fair.

Now finishing his senior year, Friesen is hoping to study furniture design at the Oregon College of Art and Craft.