cabinetman

OK, ya-all might say...here we go again with one of cabinetman's wild rants. Not so fast my woodworking friends. This is your chance to face the truth. That means you can reply to this thread. If ya-all don't ya-all know that makes me wonder why thousands of people sign up on our forum and don't say a peep. When they don't peep, I get headaches, and in addition to my normal medications I have to take non-aspirin aspirin. I might lose my appetite, get depressed, drink too much coffee, and forget to take the dogs out.

Anyway, guess I got sidetracked a bit. I'm figuring we all have a moment of truth when we realize that there may be some things we haven't done, but want to try. Now, if I posted this before, excuse me, but it won't be the same.

Mine came several years ago when I took on a job of refurbishing an old Singer sewing machine in a wood cabinet. It was the type that the top flips over, then a plate tips open and the machine swings up and drops into an edge ready for sewing. The cabinet was basically pretty simple, and had four little ity bity drawers. The cabinet and the drawers were Red Oak.

My job was to repair some damage to the cabinet and replace one of the missing knobs, and put on a finish. This cabinet wasn't one that needed any historical promenance to follow. It was a hand-me-down that was going to be used as a sewing machine.

The knob was a simple knob...just a turning with a small bead. Well, I hunted every catalog I had, as there was no internet then. So, my moment of truth was I had to make one. My first thought was to glue a dowel in a block of Oak, and mount it in my drill press. Then reality set in and my better judgment said "stupid idea".

Actually, there were two moments of truth. One was I had to buy a lathe. The other was I had to buy some lathe tools. I ran across a cheap import lathe that was a floor model, that I got for half price. It was missing the instruction book. I also scored on the lathe tools at the flea market. It was a cheap set, in a very fragile cardboard box.

Since I've seen turning done on TV, it looked pretty easy. My first attempt the knob cracked and flew off the spur. The second attempt came out pretty good. When I remounted the knob I put it on a different drawer, and the client couldn't pick out the new one.

So, after boring you with this story, there's one more thing. I've asked myself "what's left" for me in woodworking? What I mean is, what have I not tried that I would want to try. I'm thinkin' since I have a lathe, and I've never made a bowl or a pen...that might be my "what's next" project.

So, have you had that "moment of truth" and "what's next" for you?

mranum

"Whats next" for me is the thing I've wanted to try and haven't got around too. Chairs. Specifically morris chairs, since we need some new furniture its as good a time as any I suppose.

Kenbo

"what's next?"
Definately honing my lathe skills. I want to try some hollow turnings like vases and urns once I can make a bowl without screwing it up.
I also want to try more projects on the band saw. I have 3 of them and I would like to try and make some band saw boxes.
I would also like to make one or two pieces of heirloom furniture. I don't know what yet, but something that could be passed down from generation to generation.
Other than that, at this point in time, I'm very happy with what I do. Great question.
Ken

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Gerry KIERNAN

I have been busily carving spirit faces from one to five feet tall, to the tune of about seventeen of them. It turns out that they are all bearded men, so I thought to myself, and had it echoed by my brother, that I might be in a wee bit of a rut. So, I am currently working on a relief carving of a great blue heron on a piece of found cedar about four feet high by three feet across, with an irregular shape. After that I think I will try to carve some non-bearded womens faces.

Who knows what evil thoughts will enter my addled brain after that. All I know is that I am having fun, and enjoying the living daylights out of being retired, or retarded as I like to put it.

Gerry

rcp612

What's next ???
I wont know until I figure out just what tool I "desperately" want next. You see, I choose my projects very carefully so I HAVE to get a certain tool in order to complete it.
I guess when there are no new tools,, I'm done.

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Do like you always do,,,, get what you always get!!

John in Tennessee

With the new TV season starting next week Mr Cabinetman felt the urge.. to get us to return to the same channel later to find more.

Now as the lurkers. It's the same in every group, club and ganization The majority watch wile 10%+ do all the work.

Gene Howe

Something new????
I can't find the time to do the things I want to do with the skills and tools that I have presently.

GeorgeC

What I want to do is build a roll top desk. Will I ever get to it? I do not know.

George

rodland

I apologize for lurking here. I do it in an attempt to learn. I would like to make dovetails. I prefer hand made but would also like to know how to make them with a router. I want to build toy chest for my 3 Grandkids.

GeorgeC

"I apologize for lurking here."

Why? Absolutely no appologies needed. Reading the mail is a very good way to learn. In no way do you detract from or cause any problems by just reading what is posted.

I understand about building for the grandkids. So far all I have done is make three rockers. I think some type of student desk is in the offing for the oldestl It has been awhile since I did dovetails and I will probably also have to relearn that skill. I have a jig if I can find the pieces.

Welcome aboard grandpaw.

George

snowi

It is true I am the #1 lurker in here. I do have some knowledge of woodworking, and have expressed some of it. I think that the reason that I don't contrubite more is the fear of making a fool of myself.

I have most tools to work with sheet goods, there inlies all my expertiese ( limited as it is ). I have some knowledge of estimating for painting, Locksmithing, Concrette work, Laminating, and alot more. Most of these subject never get discussed on here.

I do like to post, when I have some idea as to how to explain what I mean

Ralph

ACP

Hand cut dovetail drawers.

jeffreythree

I picked up a book called "Hickory Furniture" toaday at Half Price Books. Looks real interesting where you weave strips of hickory to make seat bottoms and such. Never seen it and figured it would be interesting to try.

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dbhost

My moment of truth comes still at every opportunity out in the shop nowadays. I am still relearning what I have forgotten due to too many years without a shop. (And probably a few too many beers in the interim...).

I am still slowly working up the Fine Woodworking workbench design that I believe you have seen elsewhere... This hasn't been the most mistake free project ever, but the changes I have put into the design are done to push me even further...

I have turning more or less down. I need to get some polish to that skill, but what's next...

Mortise and tenon to actually fit would be nice..

Oh, wait, should I have posted? It's not like I am a lurker or anything...

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-- Trying to follow the example of the master...

cabinetman

I do have other thoughts on what might be next. Maybe a whole new approach to putting skill to work.

Years ago every Sunday, one of the large chain jewelry stores would have a full page ad with one item that was really high priced. One Sunday I saw this ad for a $40,000 diamond tennis bracelet, and a picture of it that was huge. At that point the ad taught me two things: First, that a simple offering but grandeur in nature establishes a sense of quality and sincerity. Second, that the advertiser is soliciting a specific clientele. Each week they would have a different piece for sale, but only one piece.

So, I thought to myself, why not design and build some extravagant piece of furniture with an exorbitant price and run an ad the same way. Maybe like a carved table, or some really detailed piece of furniture with different species of woods. Put a price like $40,000 on it and just wait for the one person that may buy it. They are definitely out there.

This whole thought process had me really going. I've always admired the timeless pieces that survived fad and fashion. Like all the Louie and Henry period furniture, and lets not forget Queen Ann. And then there are the pieces that became the "trendsetters", like the Parsons table, the Eames chair, and styles attributed to Chippendale and Stickley brothers to name a few.

So there I was, working 6-7 days a week making cabinets and furniture as ordered. Being of sound mind (pretty much) and body (then) I thought why not come up with my own design in my spare time and promote the pieces just like the tennis bracelet. What a revelation that would be, to be remembered by a style, called by your own name. Well the "spare time" just doesn't happen. There is a big difference in earning a living and making money.

And now, 35 years later, semi retired from the business end of the craft, and with some physical problems, I'm considering the idea of taking that stab into the market. It would take getting pieces to the furniture and design shows and exposure to the designers.

I don't know what would have happened even if I did have the time, but making the attempt is what it's all about. At this stage in my life maybe I would advertise a custom piece for $40,000, and be up for negotiation.

rrich

Mike,

You asked "What's next???"

First, no lathe! I have avoided being sucked into that vortex. Besides it would be a metal turning one if I ever bought one. Besides no space in the shop. However when I build that grand shop, 40 x 60 feet with an attached garage............

A table and six chairs is some where on that list, however.....

First is a shoe station. Y'all with mud rooms understand. It is just a bench to sit on while removing shoes with a storage place for the shoes.

Although we don't have mud issues in Huntington Beach, we do try to keep a "no shoes inside home". It started with a new White Carpet, but let's not go there.

LOML saw it in SkyMall on a recent trip to Hawaii and asked me to build it.

Then next is a computer desk for ME.

Then the table and chairs. I think that the chairs will be first. BTW - on the chair thing, an instructor friend suggested building the first one or two chairs out of 2x4s to learn how to do the joints etc. and then build the actual chairs with hard wood.

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Use the right tool for the job.

Rich (Tilting right)
Huntington Beach, California
Remember that when we have the "BIG ONE" everything east of the Rockies falls into the ocean.

The Everyman Show

Cabinetman very thought provoking question and I’ve really enjoyed reading the postings to date. I’ll try to make this as brief as possible, but forgive me for any perceived verbosity.
Without too much thought it would clearly be lathe work as my next true woodworking venture. I have really enjoyed and marveled at the postings people put in the Turning section of this forum. I will refrain from naming the names of people’s work that I admire more than others in an effort not to offend somebody who I may neglect to mention, but I’m impressed by everybody’s skill and talent who posts anything for others to look at. I’ve only been a member of this forum for a few months and I guess you could say I’ve lurked in the turning section more than anywhere on this forum.
As for my previous experience at lathing, or as a lather or one who lathes or whatever the heck it’s called; here goes. When I served my apprenticeship (indentured, 5-years, three days of night school per week, the whole kit and caboodle) I was given several smaller ‘gimme’ projects to turn on a lathe, but being young and impetuous I clearly didn’t have the patience or the appreciation for the skill and after a few near misses my boss took me away from the lathe before I hurt myself or hurt the lathe or even worse, hurt somebody else. I never saw another opportunity for 12-years.
I then tried turning again about 15 years ago. I had free access to a commercial quality lathe and all the tools I could imagine. I only made one segmented bowl just because I had a bunch of small pieces of Maple left over from a project and I just had the thought of “what if?” It ended up a very nice piece and I was more than a little surprised. My ex-wife thought the segmented bowl would be a nice present for somebody she worked with and that was that and I never saw it again. I didn't even take a photo of it. I often think of that bowl and what happened to it, almost like the one that got away, only I gave it away, or my ex did. I don't even get a Christmas card from it.
So now I am ready to approach the lathe with a measure of maturity and appreciation that I didn’t have before. Seeing the amazing things that people on this forum can turn out just makes me drool with anticipation. But before I can start on getting a lathe I have to finish the bedroom set for home that I am in the middle of. I only have two dressers and one high boy to make and I think I could justify a lathe. So basically I’m a year away from my next woodworking adventure – I just hope I can wait......

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John.

You'll never make yourself taller by standing on another mans shoulders.

Handyman

Well some of you remember I built (for the very first time) New kitchen cabinets. They came out great. However the cabinets have been built for almost 2 years and I still dont have doors. I want to make my own cabinet doors. I have a plan, I don't know what the style is but rails have a full tenon and the styles have a full mortic. Outer edge is a 1/2 round over, and the inside has a lesser round over. I have a beaded paneling to go in some of the doors and Old hand poured glass in the rest. I know what I want to do, I just cant bring myself to get started.

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nzgeordie

For me it's carving - simple stuff like rosettes and leaves so I can embellish cabinets. That said, it will probably lead me off into a whole new world

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Pete

Nate1778

I would love a CNC router, but right now its not in the cards. Would be cool though...........