A glimpse of what I do for a living

[Dan in Pasadena]

Milt,

At the risk of pi$$ing you off by re-upping this old thread, I had to in order to respond to your message. You realize I was just razzing your a$$ on the tea house thread, right? You're a true craftsman Milt and I don't say that lightly.

I am the Construction Quality Manager on a billion dollar heavy civil construction project here in L.A. so I think I have some qualifications to recognize real skills when I see them.

It may make you uncomfortable to be complimented here on OT where you have a slightly different rep, but you've got real chops man. That siding, door hanging, and casing fit up is first cabin. Big congratulations to being true to the craft, so few are anymore...AND all too sad that few are willing to pay what it takes to get it anymore either. Best, Dan

[Zeke]

I wasn't offended in the least, Dan. You missed my point, or once again, I'm misinterpeted. I did PM you, however, so that this sleeping dog could lie. But now that it's back up, it's all good.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

If I ever get into doing custom residential again, I'll definitely refer the owners to you. Great craftsmanship!

[Fidalgo911S]

Nice work. I can empathize. My brother and I put on each cedar shingle of this house. We started in August, working sporadically ever since. With expert help from our builder we were able to do the shingles, window trim, and soffet. The column is the last bit to be covered. We're going to pop a bottle of Champagne when that is finished.

[Zeke]

Beautiful home! That miter work on the column is really excellent.

Never seen Reeder door jig, or at least I don't think so. An old Swedish carpenter had something that fit in a door jam, but we never used it. I think it was like a stair gauge but with two more pieces to fit the 3 sides of a jam, plus the floor line. I wonder...

[SlowToady]

Man, you have some kind of talent. I suck at building things, so guys like you sure do amaze me.

Hope you're doing well.

[masraum]

I've done some simple stuff. Hopefully I'm getting better with each project, but I don't think I'll ever be in your league. My grandfather was into wood working and building things. My father hated working in wood and prefered cars and mechanical things. I wish I had gotten a chance to work with my grandfather before he died. I'm teaching myself everything that I do. It's unfortunate that craftsmen like you are being slowly replaced by the crap that Home Depot sells.

[lisa_spyder]

Milt,

simply beautiful work...and I think the teahouse is amazing; again simple and beautiful.

Best of luck with your surgery - I hope you fully recover speedily and quickly.

Cheers,

Lisa

[livi]

Milt,

That is fantastic craftsmanship! I might have to force you to come to Sweden anyway!

On the subject of hernia surgery. Depends on where your hernia (bilateral?) is located and what kind of hernia - but most will come out much stronger in the surgery area after operations. Meaning there is no absolute cause you will have to give up what you are doing so well. I developed hernias from heavy power lifting that eventually required surgery. Took a couple of months after surgery but after that I have been able to go back to lifting without problems and this was over twenty years ago.

[azasadny]

Milt,
You're a very talented and skilled craftsman. Unfortunately, craftsmen of your caliber are rare these days, but my next-door neighbor is also a fine woodworker and finish carpenter. I really admire the work you guys do and wish you the best with your physical ailments and hope they don't keep you from doing what you love. Then again, it may be time for a less physically demanding profession. yu'll apply the same level of quality and care to anything you set your mind to!

[typ550]

Milt,

Let me know if you ever need a middle-aged apprentice.

[porsche930dude]

im a carpenter. unfortunately though i dont get to much real wood working . We do pretty much everything residential. I usually do bathrooms ,windows ,siding, kitchens ,roofing, and additions. Anything we do with windoes and siding is with vinal windows and siding wraped with aluminum which i absolutely hate. Id much rather do it in wood or stone or somthing. I do enjoy occationally building furniture on the side. Nice work

[kach22i]

Originally posted by RoninLB
Look up "Hurd", it's what I use... although some prices are high because of the designer aspect.. how about getting the weght of different mfgs. especially for wood windows

I'm drawing up house plans now using Hurd windows. The reps came by with samples, quality stuff the alum clad is actually alum extruded-thick (not thin brake metal). I'll have to look more closely at the all wood stuff, what ever the owner wants is what they get-provided they have the checkbook for it.

The free lunch by the reps was good too.

Nice work Milt, too bad it gets painted over all to often.

[RickM]

Never saw this thread before tonight...beautiful work.

I'm having a hard time mastering the fitment of molding. I've tried both the coping method and using a Delta miter saw to get the angles right. So far I do better with coping. I'm getting ready to do base board molding in my kitchen and purchased a Hitachi 15ga nailer....just so much easier than hammering. Any thoughts or advice on coping vs angled cuts?

[john70t]

I'm doing crown moulding now, mostly using the coping method (the POS plastic HarborFright miter box is almost unusable).

Getting the prominent 45deg's was the most important part.
A few times I cheated and pre-made left and right coping pieces a foot or more longer. Then used a block to help line up for final nailing, then it was spackled, shaved with a box cutter, and sanded to line up.

Not the best professional technique, but it worked and looks better. Only problem is that the wavy walls are somewhat highlighted when sighting along the line of trim.

(edit- people that paint gloss white over stained old wood trim are to be taken out back at dawn)