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Custom Woodwork : Furniture : Cabinets : Millwork

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Final fitting and adjustment of doors and panels before the paint starts to go on. No idea how I did this before learning to use handplanes. The cabinets have some good resonance - they're vibrating along with the bass in Filter's "Hey Man Nice Shot". I know this because I am resting my elbows on one as I type this. #randomthoughts #customcabinets #customcabinetry #customcabinetstoronto #customcabinetrytoronto #customfurnituretoronto

When I was 12 years old, I shattered the middle knuckle in my right hand. At that time, my creative outlet was visual art, and I had a large project due. So I taught myself how to do everything left-handed. Although not as ambidextrous as I once was, it still regularly comes in handy (oh, so punny!!). Even if it feels (and looks) awkward, sometimes switching hands makes things easier. In the case of this panel, it is easier to switch hand positions on the plane and go "backwards" along my bench than to reach awkwardly across it. I like having opportunities to teach my body new tricks. #handplane #handtools #handwork #customcabinetrytoronto #customfurnituretoronto #customcabinets #customcabinetry

Face frames and side panels. Getting closer to having these cabinets ready for painting. First, though, I need to build a new portable spray booth. Learned some lessons with the previous one (like, don't use plastic sheeting because the overspray will flake off at the most inopportune moments.) So let's start there and see where we end up. #customcabinetry #customcabinets #customcabinetstoronto #builtincabinets

In the evenings I've been stealing out to the shop to work on gifts. This was on my bench when I came in this morning. Playing with facets and how they can change the appearance of a block. Little bit of inspiration from the chairs @joseph_la_macchia is currently designing and building.

It's Sunday. And I am looking forward to Monday. I try to not work (on client projects) on weekends, and have been quite good about it of late. But Monday I get to finish these custom doors and cover panels. It's hard to not spend the day in the shop working on them. #customfurniture #customcabinetry #customcabinets #customfurnituretoronto #customcabinetstoronto #customdoors #cabinetdoors

Last night I got to thinking about woodworking. Right, I know, when don't I? What I was thinking about was the difference between woodworking to feed my pocketbook (and in turn my family) and woodworking to feed my soul. Why some things feed my soul, while others don't. It's not even about the finished object, sometimes it is simply the task at hand. And it's never a specific task, either. Some days (most days) I hate sanding, but others I find enjoyment in it. Some days (most days) I love hand planing, but others I hate it. What is that special thing which ends up feeding that hole in my soul? Is it everything else happening on that day (you know, life)? Just an inner exploration to figure out what makes me tick; this creative heart needs an outlet, and with limited time (because, you know, life), I need to use what I do have wisely.

Ever wonder what the inside of a Veritas marking knife looks like? I did. Now I know, and so do you. I bought a set of three of these knives before I even knew what they were used for. I think it was an introductory price of $30. Anyways, I like the ergonomics of the knife, but I hate the nylon. So, while rained out on Saturday, my curiosity got the better of me. I cut it open with a Veritas saw (appropriate, right?). My curiousity satisfied, I put the blade into an offcut of purpleheart. The two pieces were laminated together using West System G-Flex toughened epoxy. To fill the gaps where the blade sits, I mixed in steel filings. Once cured, I cut the rough shape on the bandsaw, then did the final shaping using files. Sanded to P600 and given two coats of Osmo Polyx. I have to say, it looks great, and feels great. I have some O1 steel and a variety of dense wood offcuts which I think I am going to use to make a batch of these. #markupmonday #markingknife #strikingknife #purpleheart #upcycledknife #veritasknife

Okay, so doing a #flatlay for #flatlayfriday isn't exactly my thing (after all, the masters @thedancherry, @djhinva and @jbowerengraving do such beautiful jobs). However, in working out the tool layout for my #handtoolcabinet, it turns out that I came up with a passable flat lay of my must used marking tools. This will be the most readily accessible side of the panel, so placing the tools I reach for the most made the most sense. I'm leaving room for expansion, as there are a few more doodads I wish to add. #markingtools #rulers #squares #wheelgauge markinggauge #markingknife

This is Greg. Greg is building a bed as a gift (quite the nice gift). He reached out to me through Instagram asking for help with the joinery. Turns out he lives less than 5 minutes from my house, so we brought his material to my shop. And what beautiful material it is. The bed rails rift sawn and the grain is almost ruler straight. They're also 12-1/2" wide and 1-7/8" thick. Greg was feeling daunted by the joinery he wanted to use, and I have to admit, so was I. Got it all cut and fit for him, though it took far longer than I thought. Working on this scale, I had to use some different techiques than usual. The router and handsaw played a large role. Greg was amazing to have in the shop - he knew which tool to hand me before I even asked, and when there wasn't anything immediate that I needed his assistance with, he was cleaning. I'm looking forward to seeing Greg finish his bed. #community #woodworkingcommunity #liveedgefurniture #largejoinery #dovetailthroughtenon #walnut #liveedgebed #walnutbed #throughtenon

Another set of tools now have homes in the handtool cabinet. The design for my Veritas router plane holder is based on one made by Michael Brindle of Little City Workshop, and shared by @leevalleytools. Walnut and brass offcuts (this is why I have buckets of small pieces of scrap.) Handplane finish and coated with Osmo Polyx. The brass rods holding the plane are a tight fit; so tight that the plane took some shavings when first placed in its holder. The brass bar holding the cutters has a slight angle, using gravity to add some extra hold. I like the look so much that I said "screw space savings" and placed it front and centre. #routerplane #routerplaneholder #planeholder #handplaneholder #routerholder #handtoolcabinet #walnut #brass #walnutandbrass #veritasrouterplane #veritas #veritastools #madewithosmo

I love these handles. After seeing the set Keith @kjsawdust made for his walnut liquor cabinet (which is just stunning), I jokingly (only partially) told him that he should send them to me. He then made me a set for my handtool cabinet. After months of seeing them inside everytime I opened the cabinet, they are on the doors. They look and feel great. Thank you so much, Keith. ❤️ #woodworkingcommunity #handtoolcabinet #walnuthandles #walnutdoorhandles #customhandles #toolcabinet

So, I made a thing. I really couldn't bring myself to drilling holes in the legs or stretchers of my #mattsmonsterworkbench, so I made this thing. It holds my bench accessories, plus the deadblow mallet used with the holdfasts. It can also be placed along any of the four stretchers. Yup, I made a modular thing. #workbench #workbenchaccessories #accessoryholder #holdfast #mallet #deadblowmallet #toolholder

Since I'm still cleaning (and clearing out) the shop, here are some (total overkill) doors for a garden shed. Made from cypress. The handles were from tree trimmings which I dried in the oven (pretty sure it was apple, based in the aroma). If any one in Toronto is looking for firewood, let me know - I have lots of hardwood scraps. #gardenshed #sheddoors #customdoors #customdoor

It's Monday morning. Woke up early because my wife got a part as a Martha on the Handmaid's Tale. So, now I'm sitting here, drinking coffee, enjoying the birds outside and the quiet of a house with children still asleep. Going through some old photos, I came across this light fixture I made. The aluminium and glass housing was pulled from a dumpster some twenty years ago. The box was a test and the first time I did any veneering. Right now it's packed up, and in storage, though eventually I'd like to find a home for it. For the right offer, I may even part with it. #customlamp #customlight #walnutveneer #industriallight #walnutlight #customfurniture #customfurnituretoronto

Returned the day after install to take some pictures of this shelving unit. Unfortunately, it was a dark and rainy day, so I'll have to try again. The great thing is that as soon as I left, the boy who's room it is in immediately started loading it up. The client wanted to hide the electrical panel, yet still remain easily accessible. After consulting with a master electrician, the removable shelf and panel was the answer. The shelf is supported by aluminium angle top and bottom, recessed into the shelf, and bolted into wall studs. The father is so happy with the shelf that he's now considering swapping rooms with his son. #balticbirchplywood #balticbirchshelf #balticbirchshelving #customshelf #customfurniture #customcabinetry #customfurnituretoronto

Looking back at this closet I built last year. I love these doors (and want to make a set for my shop cabinets) and the tie in with the drawer faces. Funny how looking back, I remember all the good things about the project, and even the challenges didn't seem that bad. Except for the issues with the finish. Those issues are why I switched back to the Valspar waterbourne precatalyzed varnish after trying the Lenmar Duralaq system. Even there, those issues are what led to some new friendships here on IG (looking at you, Tim and JC @oakvillecabinetry @woodworking_by_jc) #monstercloset #artdeco #artdecodoors #artdecocloset #customcloset #customstorage

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