Shit you built with your own two hands (picture thread)

**RootSkier** · 05-11-2008, 02:58 PM

It's actually more like 4 5/8".

Code is 5"...and the rule with cable railings is that if you hang a 30lb weight from the center of the span, you must not be able to pass a 5" sphere through.

I could probably get the cables tight enough....maybe...or not.

**BenWA** · 05-11-2008, 03:48 PM

Just a few examples...all built many years ago at the ripe young age of 20:

cherry topped Springfield extension table:

Sheraton tall post bed:

tiger maple slant front secretary (terrible photo):

tiger maple tavern writing desk:

cherry corner cabinet:

**Caucasian Asian** · 05-11-2008, 05:05 PM

I didn't build this, but I did the masonry work on this a few years back.

not much, but I don't have any pics of the other stuff i did back then.

**mikemcee** · 05-11-2008, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by RootSkier

Total cost: $86

For $86 you probably added a couple of grand to your resale value. Huge upgrade. Nice work.

**wicked_sick** · 05-11-2008, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Caucasian Asian

I didn't build this, but I did the masonry work on this a few years back.

not much, but I don't have any pics of the other stuff i did back then.

Where is that DQ? I really like Grill and Chills

**booner** · 05-11-2008, 05:47 PM

Double sided, dry stacked with pillars. Got done with the first one and couldn't even grasp on to the fact that I had to do it all over again on the other side of the road

**BenWA** · 05-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by doughboyshredder

I am proud of these pedestrian gates.

Beautiful! You have a great eye for design. The style complements the overall scene very nicely, but at the same time they scream "KEEP THE FUCK OUT!"

Perfect!

**Caucasian Asian** · 05-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by wicked_sick

Where is that DQ? I really like Grill and Chills

This was back in Kamloops, circa 2002.

Delta, Sun Peaks. We did all the cultured(fake) stone for the hotel.

The Fairways at Sun Peaks. You can't tell in the picture, but this fireplace was 25' tall and wrapped around 270 degrees on the main floor.

**wicked_sick** · 05-11-2008, 08:06 PM

Cool, I figured that's where it was. Nice work at Sun Peaks too.

**Caucasian Asian** · 05-11-2008, 08:08 PM

Thanks. We did some neat stuff, but it's tough to find pics of it on the interwebz.

**BigDaddy** · 05-12-2008, 02:59 PM

Some fine craftsmen on this board! Root, nice railings, but not sure what was wrong with the original set? (just kid'n...) Are the new ones electrified?

Ben Wa, that is some sick woodwork! Are you still crafting or was that a previous life?

CA, your resume runs the gamet! DQ to the Ritz!

I just built a sterio cabinet last week that had to incorporate an alarm juction box, electric panel, various poorly thought out outlets and wiring feeds... lots of fun, though and if I could do it full time, I'd be happy.

**karpiel** · 05-12-2008, 04:52 PM

My little bunny.

**BenWA** · 05-12-2008, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

Ben Wa, that is some sick woodwork! Are you still crafting or was that a previous life?

Thanks BD. Pretty much a previous life. It's one of my very favorite things in the world to do, but unfortunately there's just no money in it to make a living.

And now that I'm living in the PNW, there's hardly any market (i.e., none) for colonial reproduction furniture out here, which is pretty much exclusively my furniture building interest.

I used to crank out runs of 8 to 10 pieces at a time like the ones pictured in my above post when I lived in VT, but I sadly haven't built anything in years.

EDIT: I just saw your pics of your cabin (I hadn't previously looked thru the whole thread). Beautiful!! Is that in the Waitsfield area? Very impressive renovation. Looks like a VERY cozy place to build a fire, make some hot chocolate, and play some chess.

You must be very proud.

**ColMan** · 05-12-2008, 06:00 PM

Wow, some really impressive work in this thread.

No where near the skill/hours as previous stuff, but here are a few pics.

**BigDaddy** · 05-12-2008, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by BenWA

Thanks BD. Pretty much a previous life. It's one of my very favorite things in the world to do, but unfortunately there's just no money in it to make a living.

And now that I'm living in the PNW, there's hardly any market (i.e., none) for colonial reproduction furniture out here, which is pretty much exclusively my furniture building interest.

I used to crank out runs of 8 to 10 pieces at a time like the ones pictured in my above post when I lived in VT, but I sadly haven't built anything in years.

EDIT: I just saw your pics of your cabin (I hadn't previously looked thru the whole thread). Beautiful!! Is that in the Waitsfield area? Very impressive renovation. Looks like a VERY cozy place to build a fire, make some hot chocolate, and play some chess.

You must be very proud.

Yes, we're in the Waitsfield area... actually in Granville which is 15-20 mins south. We love it there and just had our first weekend without child two weeks ago. We cozied by the fire and instead of chess, played scrabble. It's only 850 sq. ft. but, I've got plans for building a barn/garage/guest house out back, but who knows when that will happen... next summer?

I'm surprised you're not building, but realize how much work it is to just set up... maybe in retirement you'll be cranking out priceless one of a kind pieces!

doughboyshredder · 05-12-2008, 07:14 PM

I really love this thread.

BenWa that is some great woodwork. I especially love that bed.

Also, thanks for the compliment.

Here are a few more pics of that job after being pretty much finished, and a couple others I completed recently.

**G. Gordon Liddy** · 05-13-2008, 09:52 AM

Hey Col Man,
I love those wine storage racks. Did you build those your self? if so, did you use plans or just wing it? I've been wanted to add those to my wine room for a while now. Currently I'm just using an old book shelf and it's a bit wobbly. I'd hate to loose my wine because of a shitty bookshelf.

**ColMan** · 05-13-2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by G. Gordon Liddy

Hey Col Man,
I love those wine storage racks. Did you build those your self? if so, did you use plans or just wing it? I've been wanted to add those to my wine room for a while now. Currently I'm just using an old book shelf and it's a bit wobbly. I'd hate to loose my wine because of a shitty bookshelf.

The racks were in the basement when we bought the house. They were poorly built and flimsy as the middle joints were cut too deep. I ended up replacing several sections with new 1x10 pieces and reinforced most of the joints. I also bolted them to the wall studs.

I found decent free plans here - http://www.van-vliet.org/dempseywood...winerack.shtml

**G. Gordon Liddy** · 05-13-2008, 10:30 AM

Thanks, I had looked for plans in the past, but these look pretty good. I don't know if this is something I can get to this summer, but it could be a cool winter project.

**ColMan** · 05-13-2008, 10:47 AM

If you want to spend more $$ (about $1.20ish per bottle), the modular (esp with the curved corners) redwood racks are sweet:

**G. Gordon Liddy** · 05-13-2008, 11:18 AM

Nice... Thats a great site for racks. Heh heh... racks.

**LaBelle23** · 05-13-2008, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

Hey BigDaddy, did you find the plan for this on Architectural House Plans or did you use what you had in the old building as a guide to floor plan? I had been looking at that plan quite a bit (at least until I found out what it's like to try and build in Boulder County).

http://www.architecturalhouseplans.com/home_plans/141

**BigDaddy** · 05-13-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by LaBelle23

Hey BigDaddy, did you find the plan for this on Architectural House Plans or did you use what you had in the old building as a guide to floor plan? I had been looking at that plan quite a bit (at least until I found out what it's like to try and build in Boulder County).

http://www.architecturalhouseplans.com/home_plans/141

No, I just dealt with what was there on the property. The place was a wreck that I completely gutted (down to bare studs) and added on to. It's the pic before the one you quoted. What's the prob in Boulder County?

**LaBelle23** · 05-13-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

No, I just dealt with what was there on the property. The place was a wreck that I completely gutted (down to bare studs) and added on to. It's the pic before the one you quoted. What's the prob in Boulder County?

Since I haven't gone through the process and I have gotten info 2nd hand I can't speak for all of the issues, but one of the main ones is getting a permit. They have lines of recommended and approved fixtures/materials etc, but then don't approve them. The restrictions are very tight and getting tighter all the time.

In the mountains they are trying to pass a building code that would prevent people from building more than ~2000 sq ft home (they claim they took the average of all homes in the mountains and added 12%), but here's the kicker...if you pay a few hundred thousand more to open space funds then you still can build your McMansion.

You did some great work on your place. I would like a home just like that but a little bigger for my primary house.

**BigDaddy** · 05-13-2008, 02:37 PM

Thanks. It's only 850 sq ft, so yes, it's small. We may retire there, though. I love small, well designed homes. That sounds lame, but Boulder sounds like our town in Mass. On one hand, it feels restrictive, but on the other hand, it's how towns can maintain their "character".... In VT, though, I didn't have to apply for any permits, go through any inspections or adhere to any zoning codes. I felt like a homesteader in the wild west, but I built it to last, anyhow!