Pineapple Carvings

01

The initial concept drawing for a small carving commission. The matching pineapple carvings were to be mounted onto the posts .of a pine bed.

02

Turning to size. An early prototype done for the client can be seen in the background.

03

The turnings are matched for size and curvature.

04

The initial layout and division of lines around the circumference.

05

The leaves are drawn in.

06

Carving the initial lines and separating the leaf tips.

07

Beginning to shape the segments.

08

The first pineapple is roughed out.

09

All four pineapples carved to the same stage.

10

The leaves are carved with the pineapple held in a jig at the bench where there is easier access.

11

The completed pineapples. In this case the carved portions had to be sanded to match the turned sections.

Sleigh Beds

See the finished product here.

Kitchen Table

A commission for a walnut kitchen table with a glass top.

See the finished product here.

01 – A mock up for the client who has trouble making decisions using drawings alone. The legs are held together with a strip from a tire intertube.

02 – The segmented walnut ring. It was tough finding good walnut so the pieces had to be chosen and arranged carefully.

03 – Undercutting the edge on the shaper. The pattern is separated from the top by small blocks.

04 – Gluing up one leg and a portion of the feet.

05 – Tapered laminated legs.

07 – The legs are morticed and the tenons on the feet are cut to fit.

08 – Gluing the foot section to the leg.

09 – Pairs of legs are chosen and the curves marked out.

10 – A quick look at the evolving shape.

11 – The legs are routed and sanded before the first pair are are glued up.

12 – Easier to glue on the next two upside down so I could keep the assembly level.

13 – A first look at the rim sitting on the base.

14 – Rough cutting the notches and starting to think about a sphere for the center.

15 – Set up to route the notches clean.

16 – Cleaning up the fit by hand.

17 – A final sanding before assembly.

18 – The glue-up using sticks to support the weight of the clamps.

19 – Comparing the table to the initial prototype. Shapes always change along the way.

20 – Deciding on the placement of rubber pads cut with a leather punch along the rim. They will be cut into the surface.

21 – The table before finishing.

22 – The glue–up for a sphere in the center.

Mahogany dining chairs

A great commission for a set of dining chairs inspired by the famous chair designed by Hector Guimard

01 – I did a quick prototype because I had only a picture of the chair and no dimensions. I wanted to get a feel for the chair.

02 – From there I did a second prototype working out the joinery, carving details and the back splat which wasn’t on the original chair.

03 – My prototype and the material broken out and ready to go. The commission was for a set of four chairs but I broke out for a fifth chair in basswood to keep in case I ever made the chair again.

04 – I glued up the front assembly first.

05 – While the front assembly was drying I broke out and machined the back legs.

06 – Gluing up the back assembly.

07 – The back assembly stacked neatly against one of the lathes.

08 – Gluing up the front assembly to the front end of the side rails. I decided to keep the chair in two parts for carving and clean up and then assemble fully right at the end.

09 – A first look at the chair with the clamps off.

10 – I attached a plywood spacer at the back of the rails to maintain the distance for the final assembly later on.

11 – Gluing up the stretchers.

12 – Starting in on the secondary shaping and carving.

13 –All the carving flowed from one part to the next.

14 – Starting in on the stretchers.

15 – Shaping the front of the legs.

16 – Cleaning up and starting the carving on the front of the crest rail.

17 – Roughing out the design.

18 – All the backs are clean with the splats in place. I glued up the basswood chair first.

19 – Gluing up the chairs.

20 – The first pair glued up.

21 – All four chairs glued up with the glue blocks in place.

22 – A closer look at the completed chair. I think we caught the spirit of the original.

Store Fixtures

A commission for store fixtures for a specialty grocery store.

See the final product here.

01 – Because it was such a large job I began building before the store was built. Once the building was completed I was able to work with the owner on the specialty units

02 – A base cabinet under construction.

03 – Completed cash wrap units ready to be shipped over to the store.

04 – The assembled cash wraps.

05 – The other view.

06 - A typical end unit.

07 – One of many typical storage units. Some with sinks; some without.

08 – The back of the unit showing the plywood plinth.

09 – Pairs of units.

10 – Long units.

11 – Short units.

12 – Upper storage units.

13 – Sink units of different sizes.

14 – A low unit to hold specialty breads.

15 – A meat counter.

16 – Tall heavy units.

17 – Another tall unit.

18 – The large corner units had to be built in sections.

19 – Small corner units could be done in one piece.

20 – A small kitchen for the staff built and installed.

21 – The flower kiosk was built in the shop. The joinery marked and then disassembled. Everything was quickly re-assembled onsite. The roof was added and everything was given a coat of paint.

22 – A closer look at the kiosk. Lots of nice little details.

23 – Shelving units being put in place and the shelves being adjusted for height against product.

24 – Rows of units starting to take shape.

25 – Long fruit and vegetable stands built in sections.

26 – Opening day. The store has been cleaned and the shelves stocked.

27 – Fruits and vegetables have arrived on the shelves.

28 – The flowers are brought in.

29 – Meanwhile the last sign was cut out, painted and installed.