some recent work

[Ajcoholic]

I dont post a lot of work lately, that doesnt mean we havent been busy lol...

Here are a few recent jobs done in the past several weeks...

First a kitchen, all maple (veneered frameless cases with 3mm edgebanded edges, maple frame and panel doors, wood dovetailed drawers on Blum Movento slides - post cat lacquer finish).

Some of the cabinets are finished in a dark walnut stain, the main part of the kitchen is done in an ivory stain/glaze.

Still have the under cabinet lighting to go in and the valences (Monday) and they are getting granite tops put in soon as well. Ill post a pic when its comepletely done.

The old counters are on the cabinets temporarily.. the gas range went in this week as well.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0284_zpspqekszhe.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0284_zpspqekszhe.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0269_zpsxndiogex.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0269_zpsxndiogex.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0268_zps28utbauk.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0268_zps28utbauk.jpg.html)

[Ajcoholic]

A decent size millwork job I just completed today - 20+ interior doors, including some french doors (15 light bevelled glass) and closet doors, etc.

800 feet of casing, and50 feet of baseboard. All milled in house from American Poplar, and stained a very dark burgundy stain I mixed to the customers specs. Everything finished in satin post cat lacquer.

Plus the mantle.

Took three gallons of stain and about 10 gallons of finish. Looks really sharp.



http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0296_zpskobxanzb.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0296_zpskobxanzb.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0294_zpsymnltgqo.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0294_zpsymnltgqo.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0293_zpsx3lqulcr.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0293_zpsx3lqulcr.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0292_zpszojybb3h.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0292_zpszojybb3h.jpg.html)

[Ajcoholic]

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0297_zpsl2xbuuvz.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0297_zpsl2xbuuvz.jpg.html)

[Ajcoholic]

I also did some cabinet work for this customer. This is a towel storage chest/seat for the bathroom.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0227_zpszko8puds.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0227_zpszko8puds.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0226_zpsvp50u2ew.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0226_zpsvp50u2ew.jpg.html)

I have a table also under way for them, and some custom seating.

[Ajcoholic]

And this was just a memorial pladone recently for the local Italian club, to list the deceased members over the history of the club's 80 or so years here.

Cut the lettering and grape vines with the bot. Its a large plaque, almost 5' square. Solid cherry.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0248_zpsrncgnhab.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0248_zpsrncgnhab.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0250_zpsoq2aowll.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0250_zpsoq2aowll.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_0256_zpsmgmdjhc2.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_0256_zpsmgmdjhc2.jpg.html)

Funny thing is I suggested twice to do the V carved lettering in gold. They said no, do it in black. A week after it was done, they asked if I could re do it in gold. I said it isnt simple... lol.

[Tim Lucas]

All very nice!!

The Towel storage cabinet top, is that solid or ply?

Tim

[Ajcoholic]

All very nice!!

The Towel storage cabinet top, is that solid or ply?

Tim

The only ply in it are the panels (3/4" G2S maple) and the bottom is 1/4" Baltic Birch. The top is 3/4" solid maple, with breadboard ends (loose tenons except for the center few inches which are glued)

I have some press in rubber bumpers which hold the lid off the case about 1/8" - they soften the drop of the lid - which is slow anyhow due to the lid stay - but also allow some air movement around the underside of the lid. I havent had too much issues with warping in this type of situation.

Work coming up looks good for the next several months... I have another kitchen to start this week (maple) and really nice one after that in walnut! I have more railing work, many misc cabinets (entertainment units, book cases, more kitchen stuff, etc) and some furniture as well.

Always pricing more work out I can do - which is good. I guess the location I am in, and lack of other woodworking shops (that actually work in wood) tends tokeep me and the few other wood shops very steady, and most of the time turning away work.

Andrew

[dlcw]

Beautiful as always Andrew.

You do some fantastic work. I'll bet you have lots of happy customers.

Thanks for posting.

[mtylerfl]

Andrew, thank you for posting the photos and captions. Your work is always interesting, great quality and inspirational.

[Ajcoholic]

Beautiful as always Andrew.

You do some fantastic work. I'll bet you have lots of happy customers.

Thanks for posting.

Well, most of my customers are great to work for. Seldom do I have issues - in fact the last time I had any trouble with a job was several years ago. After 20 years now in business in charge of the company, I tend to read people well and will decline work for those who I think will be problematic. Usually those are the ones who say they want all this custom work,and then want to pay "Walmart" prices.. lol. Or the ones who I have heard were difficult to deal with from other trades people.

I am never happy with the work I turn out though. There is always something I wish I did better or bit differently. I think that is what keeps the job fresh and exciting. My mind is always thinking about next job and how to do better.

I will post some better photos of the kitchen when its is completed.

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew, thank you for posting the photos and captions. Your work is always interesting, great quality and inspirational.

Well MIke, thanks :) I just wish I had more spare time to do more of your projects... (for my own family). Work and having two youngsters at home just doesnt give me any free time these days.

[dmidkiff]

Andrew, I always like to see your posts. Your work is always beautiful. Keep up the good work and keep posting.

[kevin]

The doors are my favorite keeping a tradition going .I agree keep posting there very little post of job people making a living at

The kids get old fast you'll find you will have more time in the shop for trying new things

PS A shop in my area closed after being open since 81 .Tried to compete with Home Hardware

[Kyle Stapleton]

Kids do get old fast, so spend some time with them before they do not want to spend time with you any more.:)

[Ajcoholic]

Well, the kids take up ALL my time after working hours... day in the life right now is get up before 7 am, get the kids ready for daycare - leave and try and get to work by 8am.. work until 5, go get the kids, get home - make dinner and clean up. Get the kids to bed - by just after 8pm. By that time my 44 yr old body is tired. Sometimes I have paper work to try and do, computer stuff etc. Relax for an hour and its bed time! Weekends are a gong show - going back to work on Monday is actually relaxing, lol.

I know they grow up - but until they are able to be left alone, or old enough to come to the shop for a few hours at a time - I will be unable to put in more time. I really miss the days going into work saturday, and trying new chair designs, or working on stuff for myself/wife/etc. But that is family life early on, I know. Not complaining. I remember fondly the weekends my father would take mme to the shop (probably around 6 or 7) and I would build toys for myself from pine scraps and have a lot of fun, whiule he was working on furniture and cabinetry. Good memories for sure!

[Ajcoholic]

The doors are my favorite keeping a tradition going .I agree keep posting there very little post of job people making a living at

The kids get old fast you'll find you will have more time in the shop for trying new things

PS A shop in my area closed after being open since 81 .Tried to compete with Home Hardware

The only way to compete with that stuff is to import the same from Vietnam/Malaysia/China etc... its hard to do anything for the prices they sell the garbage for, at Walmart/Canadian Tire/etc...

I had a lady bring me a picture of a unit from the Home Depot - and wanted it a custom size, with a bunch of carvings and so forth. I priced it out about $2K and she was expecting about $400. Needless to say, I told her nicely it was not practical for me to try and match those prices.. :)

[kevin]

Andrew they didn't know they where competing with Home Hardware.They thought they where more advanced but there stuff looked the same .Sometimes slow to change will bite you in the ass its sometimes that simple that keeps your door open or closed.I know its more complicated then that

[Brian Harnett]

Nice work glad your busy, there is a reason for that.

[Ajcoholic]

Nice work glad your busy, there is a reason for that.

Ha, its funny but also quite stressful. I have right now, probably steady work for myself and my two guys well into July or August.

Just this week I picked up a large railing job, another kitchen, some cabinetry for a home pool/games room/bar, a few larger refinishing jobs (dining room set and a set of 8 chairs)...probably 6 to 8 weeks of work, and work seems to come in waves. I have jobs I was supposed to get to months ago still yet to be started, and I am pricing and getting work weekly.

The thing is to accurately forecast my scheduling. The first thing I state when dealing with new customers is how long the potential wait may be... but most seem to understand that for custom work that is the way it goes. There is just not too many woodworking outfits in our part of the province. And fewer that have a good reputation for good work, and no BS.

I just wish I could get more done in a day. I find the days go by so fast, and the weeks etc.

I am always looking for better, faster ways to do things too. Efficiency is key.

[David Iannone]

Ha, its funny but also quite stressful. I have right now, probably steady work for myself and my two guys well into July or August.

The thing is to accurately forecast my scheduling. The first thing I state when dealing with new customers is how long the potential wait may be... but most seem to understand that for custom work that is the way it goes. There is just not too many woodworking outfits in our part of the province. And fewer that have a good reputation for good work, and no BS.

I just wish I could get more done in a day. I find the days go by so fast, and the weeks etc.

I am always looking for better, faster ways to do things too. Efficiency is key.

Andrew,
I gotta say, glad you chose SB. I have read your posts and your upgrades to your machine as you progressed. Thank you for documenting YOUR progress with pics and descriptions.

It is tough today to float a business. But with guys like you sharing your success with thier SB is why this forum will continue to be the best.

Dave

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew,
I gotta say, glad you chose SB. I have read your posts and your upgrades to your machine as you progressed. Thank you for documenting YOUR progress with pics and descriptions.

It is tough today to float a business. But with guys like you sharing your success with thier SB is why this forum will continue to be the best.

Dave

Dave, I just posted some of my philosophy on work in the mdf doors thread. Again, I really do enjoy all kinds of work, not just one thing or the other. For that millwork job, we processed about 1400 board feet of American poplar (bought in rough, I always mill my own stock) and for several days we were just jointing/planing then shaping and assembly etc Not "fine" furniture, but it is a good paying work and I love to see how efficiently I can move that stuff through the shop. Similarly for other work. Some days I might be cutting up sheets on the saw, others doing finer hand work and others stuck in finishing. I guess since I grew up in this same environment, I enjoy doing the variety.

As long as I can continue to keep things going, that is what I will do. My father started the company in the early 70's and I took over in 97' at age 26. Im going to be 45 years old this year, but I am always learning new things almost every day I go to work. I think by retirement age I will probably know enough to consider myself "good" at the trade, lol. SOme days I wonder!!

[Ajcoholic]

In regards to the deleted posts - I would like to repost what I had written, since it does have relevance to my business and work...


----------------------------------------
In regards to the kitchen, the crown molding was supposed to sit as it does on the off white section. On the dark section the customer did not want the trim to go past the bulkhead. When I made the units, I made them the same side as the old kitchen - but my crown (what the customer chose) protrudes further. I offered to make a new crown with the similar profile but less protrusion - they suggested just set it back 3/4" and it was fine with them. If its fine with them, its fine with me. Regarding the clearances, all the doors and drawer fronts will have the final adjustment after the granite tops are installed, and the cabinets have had a few weeks to settle, loaded up. There are no issues with the door handles interfering with opening of drawers etc. I do not use a raised panel to "cap" the gables, unless requested to do so. Generally the exposed gables are finished as part of the cabinet, ie in the same stain and lacquered. No real need to "cover" them up with another panel - unless I am requested to do so.

As for the millwork, I did not install the work - I generally make the doors and trim, and supply the finished items to a general contractor does the installation. The customers absolutely love the work done, and that is what counts. The mantle replaced an even smaller one in pine that was there - proportion is like colour - everyone has a different opinion of what they like and the customer liked & wanted this, so, they get it. I rarely try and influence my own likes & dislikes upon my customers. It is not going in my home, so why try and tell them what they think looks good, does not? Unless it is way out of kilter, I just oblige. Personally I think it looks just fine.

The piano hinge is solid stainless steel as not to rust in the bathroom. The lid stay is more than likely chromed steel, a quality Japanese made item, which I like due to the smooth fall of the mechanism.

In our part of the country, the general style is quite plain. I would say this kitchen is one of the "fancier" styles I have done in a while. A lot of work done is very straight lines and not too much elaborate carving. What you tend not to see here, all the heavy carving and reliefs. At least not in a private residential setting.

Most of my work is based upon cost (as most are) and if someone wants to pay for perfection, I can certainly provide that. However, most jobs are always somewhat of a compromise to give the customer the most bang for their buck - and it is always the smaller details that take time and add a lot more cost to the job. Not making excuses, but if someone wants a $30,000 kitchen but their budget is $18,000 - them some compromises have to be made.

Similarly with millwork, I am usually working to a cost set by the customer or the contractor - and again, I try and give them the best value for what they want to spend.

Bob, in regards to your deleted post - No issues - I think I explained myself. Work here is very much working to a set cost. Sometimes I get a job where the skies the limit and you can spend days on small details etc. But I think most of the cabinet and furniture guys understand compromises are always made in 99% of the work. Like I said, you need to be realistic from a business stand point. I honestly try and give my customers a quality product, that looks good, is functional and is a good value for $$ spent. Being in business for 45 years now, with myself at the helm for close to the past 20 - and with many very satisfied customers - I think were doing something right? I think!

Criticism is fine. I can take it. The only ones I need to please are the people writing the cheques to pay for the work, lol. That doesn't mean I am not always trying to do better work.

[gundog]

Very nice work!!