May 3rd, 2009 by Peter |
For quite a while now we have been wanting to produce a CD storage unit of this design for the more comitted collector. When a customer recently asked about one it was too good a chance to miss!

Just out of the workshop, the handles haven’t yet been fitted prior to it being stained and varnished.
This very compact unit, measuring just 34” x 23” x 13” will hold a staggering 480 CD’s in standard plastic cases. The door compartments are hinged on 3 solid drawn brass hinges, giving a silky smooth action with a solid feel.

When folded back through 180 degrees the shelves follow through neatly. This format also offers slightly deeper spaces to accommodate boxed sets of CD’s at the top and bottom of the main unit. In order to avoid a bulky appearance the top may appear rather unsupported without a rail round underneath. It actually has two bracing rails set into its own thickness which give it stregth and counter warping.
Unfortunately this sturdy and compact unit soaks up man-hours in production so has to be priced accordingly at £675, still a fraction of the value of its regular contents! Watch out for pictures of the finished item and news of whether we manage to get one into the showroom.
May 3rd, 2009 by Peter |
At last……back to proper cabinet work! We seem to have spent so much time on projects we are not familiar with that it feels great to be back making cabinets like this 5′ sideboard in oak.

So much of the last year has been spent making doors and gates and even hen sheds that we have been craving, for some time, to settle down to good solid furniture again. Having solved the quality issues we had for a while we are now working as a well honed three person team and producing furniture of a very high standard that we are all proud of.

Oak sideboard awaiting stain and finish. £2,700.
This is the end result before staining and finishing in a medium colour with a durable satin polyurethane finish. To my relief we are now building up several months of orders, which must be a sign that we are doing something right! Please allow 6-7 months if you are wanting to order a piece. I have struggled for many years to find a good team all comitted to pulling in the same direction. Now I have and the workshop is operating to its full potential, I don’t want to change anything, so please be patient and allow plenty of lead time for special orders; its definitely worth waiting for!
Mar 24th, 2009 by Peter |
I don’t profess to be a maker of outdoor structures so I don’t normally promote the fact widely. But I was so pleased with the result when I finished this handsome matching pair of gates for a local customer recently that I felt compelled to share the result with you.

Two iroko garden gates
Made to the customers design with hand turned dowels at the top and tongue and groove boards at the bottom, using sturdy 1¾” x 3” section timber they should last at least 30 years with minimal maintenance.

Hand carved house name.
Having your house name carved into the horizontal rail is one option but does add quite a cost[about £28 for 9 characters]. The gates shown measure 36” and 42” wide by 42” high and cost £400 - £425 each. A similar design with a straight top rail would be around £30 cheaper.
My main objection to outdoor work is the difficulty of keeping a good level of protection on timbers such as oak which crack in strong sunlight and allow water in. The use of iroko or other oily timbers irradicates this problem as these timbers will survive outdoors with no treatment for several decades and very little surface cracking.
I am happy to make gates from such timbers but can’t offer a fitting service. If you would like a quote please call me at the workshop on 01298 84467.