De'ja' vu

Last year I built a Shaker Bench for one of our favorite local charities. I was not going to make the deadline and Brian Havens flew out at a moment's notice to help me build & deliver the bench just in time to be fashionably late rather than just late. (See blog entry here at LJ.)

This year I started my project a couple of weeks early but things did not go as smoothly as I would have liked on the project nor my schedule. As a professional contractor my schedule is very dynamic and even with the best plans, things pop up and I get squeezed. Sometimes work gets added but deadlines do not move back to allow for the extra work to be done in a normal work day, so that means I work extra long days to fit it in.

Introducing Mike Pasini

So this is where local woodworker, designer~craftsman, and good friend Mike Pasini steps in. He offered to bail me out and I very humbly accepted his help. Mike is a talented woodworker and designer~craftsman himself and I was so glad to have him join me in the shop.

Working with Mike was a real joy and moral raiser for me since my schedule was overbearing. He brings good energy and creativity to the shop.

Use Your Woodworking To Support A Cause

I highly recommend finding a local charity or cause that you believe in to support with your woodworking talents. It is very satisfying knowing you helped someone with your skills. (I will have to cover this topic more in the future.)

Bookcase is made of black walnut and curly, ambrosia maple.It brought in $600 at auction for one of our favorite local charities.

Special Thanks Goes To...

A&H Turf & Specialties of Billings, Montana for providing the final two boards of black walnut to complete the top of the bookcase. I was short this material and their support was appreciated. I always do a full donation of time and materials and it can get pricey.

The name may not reflect it since their business has evolved over the years, but they are a great source for cabinet hardware, tools, and lumber. I buy all of my cabinet hardware and most of my material from them. Be sure to check them out, they are competitive and available on the internet now.

If you call in an order, you are dealing with the same guys at the desk that serve me everyday since they do not outsource to a call center. Be sure to check them out - A&H Turf & Specialties.

Your Friend in the Shop,

Todd A. Clippinger

Share the Love~Share the Knowledge

Old handrail and bookcaseOne of my current projects is not a full remodel, but a replacement project for a handrail, bench, and bookcase.

The house was built in the 1920's and the original design elements expressed much of the Arts&Crafts period. Many of these elements have been replaced over time as the house has been remodeled. Most of these changes occurred in the 1960's and 70's.

The clients wanted to do something new that would brighten the room. They wanted to replace these items, not get rid of them, and they wanted the look to be more period appropriate. I gave them some ideas and even went shopping with New handrail and wall.them to look at handrails.

The job progressed in a couple of stages. First, I tore out the handrail, bench, bookcase, and plywood wall. Then I replaced the handrail and installed sheetrock in place of the plywood.

We had talked about the bench and bookcase and I had given them rough ideas, but I did not get out any solid ideas until a few days ago. I presented a couple of ideas in SketchUp and they made a decision. SU makes an impressive presentation.New handrail and bookcase.

Today I will be working on an Arts&Crafts inspired bench that should look more like an original part of the house design instead of something uninspired that came from Oak Express.

So you will have to stay tuned and catch the progress photos as I step into the next phase of the project.

This project has been a fun one. Handrails are always technical with the angles and every cut is critical. This job has been calling on all of my woodworking skills to achieve a successful installation. I am looking forward to completing the bench and getting it installed.

I also start working on the Scott Morrison videos again. Since my schedule hit a big crunch I have not been able to sit down and edit the footage. Sorry to hold you guys up on these videos, but once I take money from a client, there is an impending obligation to fulfill. I went almost a week without posting anything at the ACW or LumberJocks, after getting sick I have been laying catch-up and I have not had the time to sit down at the computer.

That's all for now, I need to head out and cut some wood.

Your friend in the shop, Todd A. Clippinger.

Share the Love ~ Share the Knowledge