Cabinets DONE

I just finished up the cabinets I've been working on since September. I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

This was such a great learning and growing experience. I've got a few new tools and jigs in my shop now. And my shop is heated, partially thanks to this project. I can now look forward to a whole winter of wood working fun.

David J. Ulschmid
Designer/Craftsman
Wisp Woods

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 Projects - Upstairs

A wise man once said, "One's mind, once stretched by an original idea, never regains its original dimensions". This is evident in our everyday life and can be a means by which you can improve everything around you. The idea need not be your own. As long as you understand the impact the idea has on your environment, as comprised by your location, state-of-mind, and relationships.

Perhaps at this point you may think I am being much too philosophical on a blog site about woodworking but, here is where I am going. It all comes back to what is commonly the last line of my posts here, "Enjoy! And look closely, please."

Look closely that your location. How did the things that surround you get there?

Look closely at your state-of-mind. Where is it taking you?

Look closely at your relationship to your environment. How do the places you spend the most time make you feel? What is missing? What needs to be removed?

I encourage everyone to explore the ideas that are affecting their unique environment and, by all means, challenge them. It is by looking within, and understanding what is there, that we can begin to move forward in a positive direction.

A common bond we share is that we all want to feel good, comfortable and safe in our homes. It stands to reason then, that we should feel these things about the items we consume, particularly the "durable goods" that will be a part of our environment for a long time to come (at least that is our hope when we put down our hard earned dollars for them).

But when we purchase items that we know are below our standards, what are we really getting? More importantly, what are we contributing, to our community, society and personal well-being? If the item was produced over-seas, you, in the case of a sub-par item, just contributed future garbage to your community landfill while taking away the work of local craftspeople. You've told society that you value low price over quality. And have potentially compromised your own well-being (can you say lead poisoning?).

Again, heavy words backing up a picture of a bookcase. I do apologize for my bluntness, but I keep my sharp tools in the shop ;).

Did you notice the differences between those two bookcases? No, I'm not talking about what is on the shelves. Is one "softer" or "smoother". Is one bigger, deeper or taller? (a description of the differences is found at the end of this post) Why are the differences there? How do they make you feel? What would you change?

Perhaps this bookcase isn't something you would want in your house, but you still need somewhere to put all your books. You need something that suits you. And only you know what that is.

Now consider this....

We all know the best tasting meals come from our own gardens. There is something special about enjoying the spoils of your labor. Sometimes the only thing better is a meal from your neighbor's garden (all the spoils, non of the toils). Think about how a simple garden can transform your environment. How it can tie a community together, and if done on a small scale around the country, can have such a large impact on society. This doesn't mean everyone has to be a green thumb and no one is obligated to do anything. I intend only to shed light on those around us, and the actions they take, that in a small, and impressively significant, way, collectively benefit the world.

You deserve something special and you have the right to get it from anywhere you please. Look closely at your options, and how they effect everyone's environment.

We've all made millions, if not trillions, of decisions that got us to where we are now. It is the decision making process within that determines our path in life. Be yourself. Make your own decisions, and know that when you pick up one end of the stick, you automatically lift the other end as well.

The two pictures above show a newel post I built for our upstairs. I also built a half-newel for the opposite wall, the base that the balusters join into and the upper handrail. This project is just part of the "fingerprint" I will leave on this house. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

I love building things, because I enjoy making people happy. I'm inspired to be, and build, my best by believing the result of my effort will be shared joy.

How can I make you smile today?

Enjoy LIFE!

And look closely, please.

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

wispwoods@gmail.com

Bookcase differences - The bookcases are the same size in every way. The feet are different and the tops-front of the side panels are different. It was an original idea of mine, to make these changes, against the urging of my wife. I'm happy I did, and she is too. Now our world is different and, as always, I can't wait to see what is next.

Shop Talk - We've got a lot to talk about.

Here is a quick update of what has distracted me from blogging.

I finished and installed our custom kitchen cabinets.


After an inspiring trip to the Minnesota woods to pick up some lumber, I decided to try my hand at carving. What a great way to relax during lunch breaks at work.



I completed the alphabet (minus the Q and W, they are so close to the O and M, and I didn't have enough board).




My favorite letter is "U" of course.

Another project is one that gives me great honor. To build picture frames for a family member who is in the military. The prototype came out great and was approved, so here is the stack of lumber ready for the rest to be built.



The Walnut spline contrasts nicely against the Red Oak.



Customizing one's home is one of the best advantages to being a woodworker, so now it is off to work on a newel post for a railing.

Best Wishes to all,

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