I stumbled into custom furniture and now it痴 what I know best.

I stumbled into custom furniture and now it痴 what I know best.

My introduction into woodworking and custom furniture, was what I call barnyard architecture. I've danced around the shop changing a bit here, tossing a board through a planer, smearing some glue and sanding a fine peice made from woodworking plans I have sketched. Offering woodworking tips comes naturally to me now. Of course I am better at showing than describing. I値l do the best I can here!

I learned woodworking the hard way. Then again is any way easy? I never sat down and read a book on woodworking. I didn't take any woodworking classes in high school. In fact my first exposure to a wood shop was when I walked into a shop wanting to buy it.

This short video on custom furniture outlines some of the considerations of custom furniture & woodworking projects.

The custom furniture cabinet and /or furniture design process provided by New Boston Furniture and Sean McAde is tailored to your requirements. People that can benefit from this service are:

• home woodworkers that want a set of instructions to follow,
• homeowners and business people that want to shop a custom plan
• customers in the market for custom furniture or cabinets that want a one stop solution

The process begins similar for for each project and adds services as requested.

A. Provide pictures of styles.
B. Provide custom dimensions.
C.Pay $15 sketching fee.
D.Receive jpg of sketch within 48 hours.
E.Phone consultation concerning sketch.
F.Pay detail concept fee that will range from $25 for individual pieces up to several hundred dollars for large projects
G.Receive information/recommendations on tools, production processes and/or manufacturers.
H.Receive sample jpg or pdf of detail.
I.Negotiate specification fee.

The results of the service:

Craftspeople making their own custom project receive working drawings and cut lists for $65 to $100.

People that have an idea and sense they know who might be able to build it get a sketch and some specifications to ponder and present for bid, for as little as $40.

Clients that want to be involved in the selection of a design but not in the procuerment, revision and logistics can employ New Boston Furniture and associates to provide and oversee production of custom designs for negotiated fees. Total fees for this service start at $115 and go up depending on the project.

Project plan example for do it yourselfers:

This plan for a trash bin provides all the details for an intermediate woodworker. I was supplied with the size of the trash can and the box dimension of the trash bags that needed to be stored in the drawer. I scaled out the lower area to make sure there was clearance to remove the trash can. Once basic dimensions were established I drew a sid section and a front elevation. Because this was a small project I was able to fit the construction details on the same page. This plan also includes a cut list with basic notes that refers back to the parts noted on the drawing.

This page would cost $40. The cut list will cost an additional $25.

There are some areas of furnituredesign that still require a combination of skills before any dimensions can be entered into a computer such as this settee.

For more examples of custom furniture plans.
See this page for an over view of the custom furniture process.

And if you're interested in doing your own woodworking visit WoodTip.

Return to the furniture page.

Here is a bonus that was in the data file as I uploaded.
How I stumbled into custom furniture and an intro to WoodTip

The banks laughed at me and would stilll laugh at me today if I proposed the idea of obtaining a loan to purchase a furniture shop. After 29 years of woodworking I am convinced that it should either be viewed as an industry or a craft. I知 here to help you enjoy it as a craft.

I had a lot of reluctant teachers over the years. Preparers of woodworking plans I used early on were architects and interior designers. The strange thing about working from plans is that they are often drawn by someone that has never worked with wood. They expected the crafts person to know how to build what they drew. As a crafts person, part of, your job is to be able to interpret and or create woodworking plans.

Most of my teachers were business owners that were interested in an additional income or some help from myself. For years I rented or bartered shop space. The first space I used was a operated by a Greek that also slept in the shop. The next was a shutter manufacturer. The third was a waterbed manufacturer. The fourth teacher was a sculptor, and this was actually a job, who did not let me rent time or space. So I rented space from a woodworker who dealt with architects and designers.

I learned a bit from each of them. In some of the later shops learned more from the machines than the owners who were business men, not woodworkers. I値l caution you up front, the learning is what I like - not necessarily the woodworking.

Over the years I have found a wide variety of reasons for people taking up woodworking. The most common theme is to be able tostep back and view something that was made with their own hands. Some people like small wood crafts such as carving, scroll sawing or intartia. Other people like to see turnings or tables that they have created. Still others want to be able to step back and admire the house with beautiful woodwork that they have built.

People entering woodworking as a profession should take into account that the income to be made is proportionate to the size and in reverse proportion to the skill. Or at least it seems to work out that way. Framers (or the barnyard architects) make the most money. The trim carpenters are in about the same category. The furniture and cabinet makers generally make a lot less. If you池e into the small stuff you値l starve unless you make a name for yourself quick.

So do woodworking for the love of it. (I知 not good at taking my own advise - I do it because it痴 a convenient source of money.)

I have seen a lot of woodworkers invest major money into tools and then realize that woodworking was too technical for them. Start out slow. Try to get a grip on your ability to grasp details. Are you good at math? Then modifying woodworking plans may not be a big deal. Do you observe intricate variations and visualize well in three dimensions? Then woodcarving may be just right for you. Do you find repetitive tasks relaxing in between chatting with people? Consider a making simple items that require a lot of sanding and selling them at flea markets.

When you are starting out and even when you consider yourself professional not every tool needs to be the best. I have seen posts recommending that you start with top brand tools. My advise is to invest where needed and to try less expensive tools until you know what they can do. When you find yourself using tools over and over then invest in better quality tools, if they are called for.

You値l enjoy working with wood initially more than I did if you absorb some of the information I値l share with you on the following pages.

Wood - The Basics I値l explain why colors vary, how wood moves, how to make it square and where to use it.

Wood - The Variations Here you値l find information on different species, common uses and different grades.

Wood - The Composites Learn how wood works, looks and reacts when it is made into veneer, particle board and other variations.

Woodworking Industry A brief explanation of why it is hard to compete as a craftsman with a woodworking manufacturing plant.

The Big Tools For The Small Shop Stationary and power Tool sources and recommendations for the small shop.

Woodworking Tools Tool sources and recommendations for the small shop, crafts person and hobbyist.

Shop Suggestions Tips, stands, and jigs for making limited space useable. Sources to help plan your shop space.

Woodworking Hardware Cutting to the chase. What to use. Where to get it. Basics that make sense.

Woodworking Getting into your project. What to look for. How to organize. What needs to be done quickly.

Woodworking Plans Selecting plans based on your abilities and requirements. Learn to modify or create plans.

Woodworking Tips Most of them reside in the far reaches of my mind. When I need them they池e there. I値l recall as many as I can.

Finishing Knowledge Become knowledgeable of the three primary finishes and the multitude of variations available for wood.