Company Name: gehlsen architectural woodworks incThis set of cabinets took 2000 hrs to get to this point. They are preped and primed ready for the paint and gild.
They are fashioned in a Viennese Baroque style and are to have mirrored back and beveled glass.
I designed them including all molding profiles. Everything was milled in my small shop. 90% of the carvings came from Decorators Supply. The rest were carved by me including the feet.
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| Posted By: | Alex H. |
Awesome work Paul. What materials were used? Were you close on your bid?
--Alex H.
| Posted By: | Robert Eckles |
very nice ,is it wood or flex molding
| Posted By: | Dave S |
Very nice!! It is obvious you did your homework and it paid off. There are not many folks that could conceive of such a project, much less pull it off. Not my style, but very cool because of its extreme nature and execution, especially in the jointed cornices and returns. You have definitely raised the "classy" bar in this gallery.
| Posted By: | paul gehlsen |
The majority of the mat'l is poplar. I used West System epoxy for the majority of the glueing. This was req'd since the paint job will be a high glass "piano" type finish and any creeping of the gluelines will be undesirable. No flex moldings, except for the small detail mouldings, which are from Decorators Supply and are steam bent. I did all the curved and straight millwork on my shapers. The base ovolo detail was 13 inches tall and was done with four seperate knives and shaper set ups.
The entire project was one big challenge after another. I did all the layouts full size in 1/4 inch MDF. This was the only way I could predict how the large crown moulding would relate to each other. I used no CAD for this project.
Budget? Well, there was no way to even get close, thus time, material and tooling was it.
One of the biggest issues were the doors. The frames had to look delicate, but hold 3/8 beveled glass. (Not my idea)
Thus, I had each frame made from 1/2 aluminum plate, waterjet cut the inner and outer profile. Then clad both sides with 13 ply apple-maple ply. The channel bead was then added. The hinges were then fastened with machine screws.
Overall, it was probably the most satisfying yet scary project I ever attempted...especially since I do this part time.
| Posted By: | cgoostree |
From what I have seen from photos out of a garage, for your work on this project, is not something you neen do part time! This project will sell your future in custom cabinetury.
| Posted By: | Sean Benetin |
Holy Moly!!! You got some serious skills Paul. I am soooooooo happy you do this part time out of your garage. You would be a serious threat to the greatest craftsmen out there doing it full time.
Smart move going with T&M too. Man where could you even begin coming up with a proposal like that?Paul to customer "Uh yeah. It should cost you more than $100,000 and less than $300,000. Just sign here and leave your left kidney as a deposit"
I hope you will post finish shots when it is installed. I am sure there will be a professional photo shoot done. Again hats off to you for a job WELL done.
Couple of questions. What do you do for your full time job? Where did you learn your abilities? And why did you decide to not do this full time?
| Posted By: | paul gehlsen |
Sean,
Thanks for the "holy moly". It's been great to see people's reactions over the last year. They go from that is grotesque, to holy moly and eveything in between.
As far as my "day job" is concerned, I am a mechanical engineer and design machine tools for the aerospace industry.
I enjoy my job. I enjoy woodworking, and at this point in my life I feel I have achieved a great "balance". I have, of course, mulled over woodworking full time.
But, I do not feel I can do this kind of work full time and stay sane. Maybe I am just chicken. Who knows what the future will hold. I would love to do this kind of work full time if I knew I could get it.
Other than four years in H.S. woodshop, I am completely self taught. Never worked in a commercial shop. Just read lots and was alway comfortable around machinery.
I was alway up for the challenge when it came to new ideas and jobs. If someone told me me it can't be done, I would not believe them until I exhuasted all possibilities. I have however, learned the difference between can't do it, and shouldn't do it.
I have been studying Baroque architecture for about 5 yrs now. I have quite a few other pieces that I will be posting in the near future. Thanks for your interest.
Regards
PG
| Posted By: | Chad Lutsey |
Paul, because of this project I had to disconnect the internet at my house so my wife wouldn't see it. Now, I see you are going to post more projects. Have some mercy for us mortals. All kidding aside, I stand in awe. Thank you for providing one more 'target'. Well done, no, fantastic job, no, words just don't cut it. -C-
| Posted By: | Larry Haws |
Paul,
Simply outstanding! Thanks for showing us this work. It's great to see that a modern American craftsman can pull off this level of work. Congrats, please show us the finished pieces if possible.
Larry Haws/Woodskills
| Posted By: | phil |
I think you should have cut a poplar tree down laid it on a 5 axis cnc and came back in a month. WOW!!!!
i made a cabinet door once.
