Ideas for projects come from many difference sources. Sometimes I need an item for a specific purpose and I need to design the item out of thin air. Other times I may need a common item, but need to configure it to fit into a unique space. Often, I have something in the workshop that is taking up space but is too nice to discard. My favorite solution is to design something around the item. This could be decorative and whimsical or utilitarian and stark. There is also the rare occasion when someone comes to me with a personal item and a vague idea of what they want. No matter the source of the idea, turning those ideas into something that can be touched is a very rewarding endeavor.
Here are some examples:
Under-Shelf Storage Trunk:
This project was a true design challenge. It needed to fit under a shelf with a mere 1-2 inch clearance, had to pass around the shelf supports while still being as long as the shelf, and allow for access to an electrical outlet directly behind it. All of this while matching the "white" wood of the shelving and incorporating reclaimed barn wood into the panels that made up the top, bottom and sides of the trunk.
Bow Saw:
I scored a huge chuck of a Red Oak tree trunk that was taken out by Hurricane Irma. Its diameter was larger than any saw I owned. Solution? Design and build a custom bow saw just for this massive piece of hardwood. The wood is still curing. It won't be ready to be milled until 2020. In the mean time I drew up some plans to create the tool I will need when the time comes.
Noah's Cabinet:
When my grandson Noah was born, his parents were living with us. Having a baby in the house created the need for some specialized furniture. The one thing the kids wanted for the nursery was a storage cabinet that would also temporarily serve as a changing table. They showed me several pictures they found on the internet and told me what they liked and didn’t like about each.
I measured the space available for the piece, sketched out the basic design, and headed to the lumber yard to get some construction grade boards. I used mortis-and-tenon construction to create the basic cabinet, using only eight screws to ensure stability.
