PLease help ALL

[dedee]

It's a great looking piece, if I were buying it I would want to know how it was put together, wood type and jointing methods.

Andy

 

[tim]

It's a great looking piece, if I were buying it I would want to know how it was put together, wood type and jointing methods.

Andy, please don't think I'm having a go :


Bear in mind though that we are all woodies and as such are more interested in this sort of stuff - most consumers aren't and if they were are not often able to distinguish between elements anyway eg machine cut dovetails are seen as a quality indicator.

Cheers

Tim

 

[dedee]

Tim, fair comment

Bramers, can you tell us more about it's construction anyway?

Andy

 

[bramers]

side panels are attached with a sliding dovetail (i think thats what it is called), i cut the legs on a bandsaw and then with a spokeshave and cabinet scraper and 200grit glass paper.

i have included a picture of it in construction in my shop, remember i am only 16 so my shop is nothing to special but i am lucky to have one.

 

[engineer one]

i think it is always difficult to offer advice about buyers when we are more interested in the construction. both andy and tim are right.

however you have made a really good start, but i wonder whether painted finish is the right way to attract customers. painted finishes are too similar to those produced in a factory situation, thus i would suggest that unless a customer particularly request paint, you should go for a stained finish, it immediately makes the product look more hand made, and thus more likely to be more expensive.

congratulations on producing such a nice piece, and take no prisoners about your age, you obviously have a skill, maybe now is the time to think about a college course, or become an apprentice to enhance your ability.

i think another thing to do is make a couple of pieces to show people, so that they can see your skill, and more easily determine its value.

it is a shame that in the same month that the Jimmy Carter Foundation in America sells a cabinet made by the ex-President, for over $1million, woodworkers in the UK would rather make built ins because they are not then in competition with the retailers. Saw a nice outside looking cabinet in John Lewis recently for about £600.00, but the inner details were real rubbish, and that is where we should score,if only its pointed out.

keep on making and showing us (up?) you will get the plaudits you deserve. must say wished i'd had such a workshop at your age.

all the best
paul

 

[Offcut]

Very nice indeed. Not sure how much you could charge though. What's it made from?

Andy

 

[bramers]

go on my website its is www.freewebs.com/bramley7/ it is still under construction, i just started to make it 15 minites ago because so many people want to see what i have made.

i am a college doing joinery, i do furniture at home because where do you put spare stair cases and windows?

 

[dedee]

Brammers,
thanks for the WIP pic. The other tables on your web page look PDG to me too.
Well done and keep it up.

Andy

 

[bramers]

have a look now in the tools album.http://www.freewebs.com/bramley7/

 

[JFC]

Very nice work :shock: I think the area your in you could be selling something like that for £350 - £400 i know i would be and im not to far from you .Ok i have overheads etc where as maybe you don't but that shouldn't make a difference to the price . I too wouldn't go for a painted finish and if it was to be painted i wouldn't use solid timber .

 

[DomValente]

Well done Bramers, I agree with Tim and Engineer One, yes the handle is wrong but as you gain experience and look around at other works you'll soon get the feel for what's right and what's not.
Don't worry what your workshop looks like it's what you turn out that counts.
Good luck
Dom

 

[dedee]

Brammers,
the longest journey starts with just a single step - Confucius I think.

You woodwork, tools, workshop and web building skills do you proud.

Looking forward to seeing more.

Andy

 

[devonwoody]

Be careful.

Home insurance might not be adequate. Even machine tool regulations might start rearing the ugly head.

I know of a music teacher (piano) using her home who had trouble with the planning laws and even a water board might start wanting a higher rate?