Armin
Reged: May 20 2002
Posts: 352
Loc: Michigan's upper peninsula
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This project goes back a long ways, I was in my second year as a carpenter apprentice putting in my dues as framing carpenter wannabe when a friend of the family asked if I would build him a gun cabinet. At the time my tools were as limited as my experience as a furniture maker, to be blunt I knew just enough to produce sawdust and not much more. The customer introduced me to a wood carver by the name of Carl Owen. Carl was in his mid 70?s at the time and his place was full of a lifetimes worth of carved projects, everything from lamps to door knobs to furniture. This guy was incredible, and for some reason took a liking to me, I will always be indebted to this man. At the time I didn?t even know where to find the oak I needed for the project so he set me up with enough to get started.
It took Carl about 4 months to finish the carvings and I must have worked on the cabinet for another 6 months, nights and weekends, using mostly beater hand tools and a Delta contractor saw my parents gave me for Christmas. The final finish consisted of wood filler rubbed into the open grain oak followed by oil stain and top coated with 5 coats of brushed on varnish rubbed out with water and 600 grit wet & dry paper between coats.
Several years ago I had occasion to see this cabinet and after all these years it still looked good, nothing came apart and the finish stood up very well.
Sorry about the poor photo, see next post for detail shots.
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www.northernsunwoodworks.com
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Armin
Reged: May 20 2002
Posts: 352
Loc: Michigan's upper peninsula
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Detail photo of panels
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www.northernsunwoodworks.com
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Armin
Reged: May 20 2002
Posts: 352
Loc: Michigan's upper peninsula
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After I finished the gun cabinet I was inspired by Carls work to try my hand in carving. Unbeknown to me at the time oak is the worst wood to carve, I don't recall how long it took me to do this piece all I know is I didn't want to do another one after that.
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www.northernsunwoodworks.com
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Don
Reged: May 13 2002
Posts: 8
Loc: Norht central Illinois
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I like that cabinet ,Armin . I always wished that i could carve like that . Don
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Armin
Reged: May 20 2002
Posts: 352
Loc: Michigan's upper peninsula
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Thanks Don, Yes I know what you mean I have several friends that carve, one does it for a full time living, I'm amazed at how fast they go. I guess it's like anything else, do it long enough and you get better at it, at least that's how it's supposed to work.
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www.northernsunwoodworks.com
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Ken_Fisher
Reged: May 27 2002
Posts: 83
Loc: Bonita Springs, Florida
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Nice Armin:
I'd be there forever trying to do work like that.
Beautiful!
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Garry
stranger
Reged: Jul 31 2006
Posts: 1
Loc: Engadine, Michigan Upper Penin...
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You make some great products Armin.
Have been on your website. Maybe someday our paths will cross. I take a trip to Timber Products on occasion.
I live in Engadine and would like to see your work someday.
Garry
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http://superwoodworks.com
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Armin
Reged: May 20 2002
Posts: 352
Loc: Michigan's upper peninsula
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Thanks Garry, I checked out your website as well. Beautiful work and what a cool shop. Be nice if we could meet sometime. I live a few miles from Timber Products as well as drive pretty close to your shop on my way downstate.
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www.northernsunwoodworks.com
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