Shop Talk - Cabinet Parts

Red Oak is a fabulous wood. Amazingly strong with grain ranging from simple and straight to dynamic arching. One of the great advantages to Oak is that Oak plywood is readily available. Below is a shot of the side pieces for the cabinets I am currently building. Most are Oak, but some are Birch. All the visible side pieces will be oak, but for the hidden interior pieces, we decided to go with Birch to save some money.

Here is a picture of some face frames pieces prior to glue-up. The chalk markings on them are called "Cabinet Maker's Triangles". These keep the pieces organized and properly oriented during the milling and joinery stages.

This has been my first project using loose tenons. I built my own horizontal mortising machine (more on that below) to make the matching mortises. This has been working great. It is so much fun to learn new methods of joinery, and I know I will be using this a lot in the future.

Here is the machine. The router is a Craftsman model and is the exact same one that is in my big router table. The lower table moves toward the router on ball bearing drawer slides. These have plenty of travel, and are smooth and secure. The upper table moves left and right on aluminum track riding in grooves cut in the bottom. These are tight fitting but slide nicely when waxed.

Enjoy!

And look closely, please.

David J. Ulschmid
Designer / Craftsman
~ Wisp Woods ~
Arlington, SD 57212

wispwoods@gmail.com

Shop Talk - Rough Milling

The first tool I pick up when starting a new project doesn't have a cord or a motor. It is the dullest tool, yet it never needs sharpening. And I bought it in the children's isle of a craft store. What is it? It is a piece of chalk.

With all the lumber laid out and grouped by color and figure, I begin the enjoyable task of marking out the parts. Guided by the cut list, I search for pleasing part combinations that make the best use of the wood in an aesthetic, efficient and structurally sound way.

This step, performed with the humble stick of chalk, has tremendous bearing on the appearance of the final product. It requires vision and is a skill that is improved upon with experience and thoughtfulness.

I am proud to say that this step is what sets my work apart from the mass produced home center and discount store offerings. Those who look at the finished product closely will notice immediately. Those who don't have a trained eye will be bugged by something in that value piece that just isn't quite right. When it is done right, it feels just so harmonious that, again, you might not notice right away, but it will feel right from the very beginning.

This stack of lumber is the beginning of something great. I can feel it!

Enjoy!

Don't look too closely, the shop is a mess ;).

David J. Ulschmid
Designer / Craftsman
~ Wisp Woods ~
Arlington, SD 57212

wispwoods@gmail.com

Featured Project - Oak Cabinets

Wisp Woods is going BIG!

A recent commission takes Wisp Woods to new places. Daniels Olsen hardwood suppliers in Sioux Falls for starters.

Here is a Google SketchUp model of kitchen cabinets I am going to build.

I can't wait to go pick up the lumber!

As much of the building process as I can capture, will be on here for my client, and all of you, to follow along with.

Stay tuned.

David J. Ulschmid
Designer / Craftsman
~ Wisp Woods ~
Arlington, SD 57212

wispwoods@gmail.com

Featured Project - Two Step Stool

This Two Step Stool is a useful as it is sturdy. The classic design is accented with details that truly make a difference.

The solid wood construction brings life and strength to the entire piece, especially the wide steps which ensure stable footing.

The reinforced, two board wide sides have a small arc cut in the bottom.

The chamfers along the step edges prevent slintering.

The stetchers are notched into the sides, which provides great mechanical strength. I wouldn't put my trust in anything less.

This solid oak stool is covered with multiple coats of polyurethane. Grit is added to the step sections for safety.

Order your own Two Step Stool by emailing me, the cost is $100.00 plus applicable sales tax.

David J. Ulschmid
~ Wisp Woods ~

wispwoods@gmail.com

Featured Project - Home Accents

Welcome to Wisp Woods

Artisan Crafted ~ Real Wood ~ Home Accents

Below are a few images of projects I enjoy, and I know their recipients enjoy them as well.

This serving tray has finger-jointed corners and a solid 1/4" thick bottom which captured in a groove. These features combine to make is durable and long lasting. The small amount of wood above the finger cutout gives the piece a dainty feel, yet provides a firm grip.

Who wouldn't like to wake up to a stack of pancakes served up on this tray?

And what better to stir up the batter to make those flap-jacks than a solid wood spoon. The compound curves on this spoon fit your hand like a glove. The stock for this spoon was selected for its unique grain pattern which is most prominent in the tip of the handle. The oil finish is food safe, and easily to repair.

Since we are in the kitchen mood, let's talk about mushrooms. These hardwood mushrooms were turned from fallen limbs. The lichen is still intact on the bark, which gives them a natural look. No two are exactly alike, and they seem to look best in groups of at least three.

What everyone wants out of life is a place to hang their hat. Imagine coming home after a long day to be greeted by this coat rack. The finest select grade lumber provides the stunning grain pattern and strength to withstand large loads. The polished finish protects the beauty of this piece from scratches. The curve along the top edge just makes you smile.

For prices on these, and many other, individually crafted pieces, click on the Price List link in the More Information section at the left.

Send order emails to wispwoods@gmail.com

David J. Ulschmid
~ Wisp Woods ~

Featured Project - Step Stool

This solid oak and mahogany stool was a Father's Day gift for my Dad.

It's through wedged mortise and tenon joints make it stronger than nails.

The grain patterns were carefully selected to showcase the difference between quartersawn and riftsawn wood on the top and the flatsawn stock on the legs and stretchers.

To avoid splitting the wood as the wedges are driven, the wedges were driven perpendicular to the grain direction.

The stretchers are joined to the legs with a twin tenon, reinforced again with wedges made form mahogany.

There are absolutely NO screws holding this piece together, yet I am confident that it will be standing for decades to come.

The rubbed oil finish of this piece emphasizes the beauty that lies within the solid wood. It is a feeling that cannot be conveyed with plywood or other engineered materials. The colors in this piece will become more variegated with time, since the finish also allows the wood to age naturally.

David J. Ulschmid
~ Wisp Woods ~

To order a reproduction of this piece for your home, contact me at wispwoods@gmail.com. You too can have an heirloom quality stool that will last generations. Call for prices and wood preferences.