In "Progress" and in the "Works"

Welcome Back!

I have a few projects that I am currently working on.  The first would be a Mission Sideboard (Buffet).  I started this project as a final for a class at New England Tech.  My mother's been after me for quite some time now to complete it but it's just one of those projects that tend to sit there and never seem to be finished.  I am determined however to get going on it one last time to get it COMPLETED! We decided to use the species of wood most commonly used for a project like this, Red Oak.  As of now, the drawers, doors, and basic frame of the buffet are all put together.  It was definetly a larger project than I anticipated but by working step by step it's slowly taking shape.  

Another project that I've been pluggin' away at is a remodel at my grandfather's house.  Unfortunatly there was water damage when a frozen heating pipe split open in the attic thus sending hundreds of gallons of water throughout the home.  The house is rather old so "old school" construction was used.  The use of 2x3's for studs and floor joist's cut to make room for an old bathroom remodel made for a rather time consuming job.  To be done: The gutting of a few rooms including a full bathroom gut job (including sub floor),  the pulling of old fiberglass insulation, replacing the old hardwood floors with new and adding new fixtures for lighting and bathroom.  After slowing down for some time, things are starting to pick back up and I'm hoping to be done within a month or so.  Check back in for before and after photos and some helpful hints if you decide to take on a project like this.  

Some other projects "in the works" include some finish work to my parents bedroom.  My mother wanted to add some character to the room and we agreed that by adding wainscoting she could achieve this.  As of now we are estimating the work to be done and looking at different ways to accomplish this project.  My father has already started sanding down the walls to make way for paint.  They originally had wall paper and the only way to really get rid of the glue was to use the good ole random orbital sander.  When the project gets under way i'll be sure to add some photos of the step by step process along with some hints and more information on wainscoting.

Also, I've been asked by a close friend to build a bookcase for her room and I'm currently working out ideas for a computer desk for my girlfriend.  

Right now I'm converting a room in the basement for a complete woodshop.  Over the years my father and I have invested in many woodworking tools and just need an organized space to use them.  I will post before and after pictures and again, I'll be posting them along with some helpful shop ideas.

Thats basically whats happening right now.  As mentioned in a previous post, my father and I are currently forming a company to produce and sell furniture and cabinetry as well as doing some finish carpentry.  We haven't really decided on a name yet but once it's official I'll make a post with a link to our website.  From there you'll be able to learn more about us as a company and be able to take a look at some of our products.  From our site, you'll be able to view this blog and take a look at current projects, upcoming projects and upcoming events for us.  

Stay posted!  I'll be adding pictures throughout the process of these projects as well as different posts regarding tips and techniques.  I'm hoping to add a "Tip of the Week" which will be a short tip or idea for a quick day or weekend project.  If you have any tips, tricks or ideas you can let me know by emailing me at jus.prescott@gmail.com.  Please feel free to comment or let me know how you made out on a particular project or using a tip or trick.

Thank you again for stopping by.  I promise that these posts will get more interesting over time.  

-A Custom Carpenter

Past Projects

To start with, here are a few pictures of some projects that I've done in the past.  Sorry about the lighting in some of these.

Here's a picture of a project that me and my friend completed when I was in high school.  This is a Cherry storage bench.  We finished it for our teacher who had started it a long while before we came along.  We used Cherry wood stock for the outside and finished off the inside with cedar.  

This here is the top.  Our teacher wanted a floral design to be routed out.  We used a stencil to trace it on and then, using a router, cut the design out, finetuning afterward with a wood chisel and some sandpaper.

We decided to add some detail in the front by adding these grooves.  We used a dado setup on the table saw to achieve this.  Again finetuning afterward with a sharp wood chisel and some sandpaper.  We also added some moulding to the front to accent the "box" shaped front. (We did the same on the sides).

Side Profile

Back.  Notice the moulding on the side to accent that "box".

Inside.  Again, we used some tongue and grooved (T&G) cedar boards to finish off the inside also adding small moulding in the corners to give it a finished look.

The other side.  (Boy, do I wish I had a shop like that.)

Here is a checker board that I also made in the high school workshop.  I used two different species of wood for this, Maple and Walnut (maple being the lighter of the two).  These two species of woods compliment each other very well.  (This board is placed in front of my old Oak Chest)

Here's a front shot of my Oak Chest.  This was one of my first major pieces of furniture.  Made with Red Oak wood.

Side Profile

Here's the front view.  (Sorry about the lighting)  I finished this off with just polyurethane but it would look very nice with a dark stain to really make the grain "pop". 

The otherside.

(Click on any of the above pictures to see larger view)

These are just a few projects that I happened to have pictures of on my computer at this time.  Over time I'll add more photos of past projects and updates of new projects and one's that are in the "works".  

Thanks for stopping by again!

-A Custom Carpenter

First Post

Hello all! Welcome to my new blog. Here you'll be able to find different tips and techniques I use or just learned and want to share about woodworking. I plan to have pictures following the steps I take to complete a project. Most of my projects will be furniture and/or cabinets. I'm in the process of starting a company with my father specializing in furniture making, cabinetmaking, and finish carpentry. Later I'll post information on the business when it gets up and going. I also work for a theater company and help build the sets we use for our summer season. I hope to be posting at least weekly. I subscribe to many different woodworking magazines that offer many tips that I'll share as they become available. I hope that you'll all come back from time to time to check in. Please leave feedback with comments and/or questions you may have on a particular step, tip or technique.

Hope to see you back!

-A Custom Carpenter