Embrace scroll shelf brackets-The Reveal

Hi Everyone!

Well...here it is the finished shelf brackets! The pictures really doesn't do it justice. Hopefully my client will enjoy it a long time to come!

Thanks for joining me!

Roshaan

Embrace scroll shelf brackets-Part5 final

Hello Everyone!

Well this is it...the final part to this project! The next part will be when I reveal the finished product! So please make sure to return for the reveal.

After a trying glue-up of the bracket parts, I cut some slots in the miters for splines. These splines will further strengthen the miters. I cut the slots using a shop made sled which helps me slide the brackets safely over the running saw blade.

Gluing the splines in place. I used some of the left over oak  and sized them to fit the slots exactly. 

Trimming the splines flush using my appropriately named flush-trim saw. I love this saw!

The most exciting part is applying the first coat of finishing oil and seeing the wood just come alive (bracket on right)!  Here I'm applying a few coats of a durable Tung oil finish.

I will give the oil finish a few days to cure and then I will send it off to my client. 

Please check back in for the reveal!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Embrace scroll shelf brackets-Part4

Hi Everyone!

Well we're almost there! Today I have been busy attaching the hanging hardware and routing a small cove profile on the edges of the mitered parts.

Using a mortising jig to rout out the exact shape of the blind  keyhole hanger I'll be using to hang the brackets . I have to place two hangers for added strength and therefore the two will have to line up precisely . I added a couple of stops to the jig to ensure perfect alignment of the two hangers.

The freshly cut recesses for the hangers. Now all I have to do is drill some clearance holes for the heads of the screws.

At the drill press equipped with a 3/8" diameter drill bit, drilling the clearance holes for the head of the screws . 

Routing a small cove profile to the edges of the mitered parts. This will complement the scrolls quite nicely and it also breaks up the hard square edges of the mitered parts. Here I have butted two boards together to create a more stable base for the palm router.  

A close-up of the cove profile. 

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Embrace scroll shelf brackets-Part3

Hi Everyone!

Welcome back for part 3 of this project! I must apologize for the delay in posting, but I have a couple of projects on the go and this past weekend I gave a woodworking demo for a Culture Days event which was organized by the Richmond Arts Council. It was my first demo and I couldn't believe how much work goes into such an event. I had a wonderful time talking to people about woodworking and it just made my day to see them actually listening :) Anyway back to the project! 

Just starting my first few cuts on the scroll saw. The oak is really hard and tends to burn easily. To prevent my cuts from suffering this fate I simply placed a few strips of clear packing tape over my pattern. As the cuts are being made the heat generated from the blade will melt the tape thus acting as a lubricant for the blade.  

Continuing to cut out the rest. It was neat to see the negative scrolls coming out of the cuts.  Hmmm ...I think I will do something with those...unless my client would like them as a souvenir :) 

All the finished parts of the bracket ready for a dry-fit. It is taking shape quite nicely.

That's it for now folks! We're almost there so please come back for the completion.

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan 

Embrace scroll shelf brackets-Part2

 Hi Everyone,

I have finally started to cut out all the parts I will need for the two shelf brackets. They consist of two mitered parts for the brackets and a larger blank for the scroll design. I had to make sure that all parts are cut true and square for the shelf the sit level on the brackets. When you start with nice square parts, the rest of the project will be a joy.

Checking to see if all the parts are square before I attach the paper patterns

Not only do I make sure that the wood parts are square I also have to make sure that the patterns are cut square to align to the wood blank

To join the scroll to the mitered brackets I use dowels in the appropriate sections for added strength.  I use a dowel jig to guide the drill bit square and centered into the wood. 

The drilled dowel holes. In this case I am using 3/8" diameter dowels.

Now all I have to do is to find the position of the mating dowel holes in the bracket members. I use dowel centers to find the exact location of the holes. 

I hope you will join me next time for part 3!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Embrace scroll shelf brackets - Part1

Hello Everyone,

I love custom work! It definitely keeps your mind ticking.

My next exciting project is a pair of scrolled shelf brackets made out of oak. My client requested that I take inspiration from a wonderful print called the "Embrace" by Gustav Klimpt which will hang across from the shelf. The print is vibrant with amazing color and wild scrolls and shapes and it's just a visual playground. I lifted a portion of the scroll from the print and gave it my own twist - no pun intended :)

I gave my client quite a few options and she chose the one pictured above. From the 1/4 scale drawings I had to enlarge the chosen pattern to a workable full scale pattern. 

With every hardwood (as apposed to veneered sheet goods) project I like to acclimatize the wood to my workshop for a couple of days before I make my first cut. Keep in mind that it's coming from the lumber yard to my shop and then to my clients home - so it's travelling through various temperatures. 

I have a nice wide piece of oak selected for the scroll and and a narrower board for the mitered brackets. 

I can't wait to get started, so please join me next time for part 2!

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

New Belt Buckle Series

Hello Everyone!

Yes, I'm still here! Sorry for the big gap in between postings. I have been feverishly working on a series of new belt buckles and it's been quite exciting! I explore a couple new techniques in the buckle creation one of which I'm quite familiar with, i.e. bent lamination. I used bent lamination extensively as seen below in my graduation chair project from the Fine Furniture Program offered at Camosun College in Victoria, BC.
The second technique that I employ in the buckles is the use of colored epoxy resin inlays. It sounds like a difficult process but once you achieve the right mix and color it is actually quite a fun process. Now I'll share a few pictures of what I have been up to these past few weeks. So hope you enjoy!

PS...these belt buckles are available for purchase at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/mokajadedesigns

Chou Chair-grad project a true labor of love!

The curve adds dimension to an otherwise flat piece of wood.

The buckle back hardware is attached using epoxy and is also screwed in place for added strength

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan    

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - The Reveal

Hi Everyone,

Here are the completed frames! I think they turned out great! The mat that the client will use will be different since she wanted to match the mat to the photos that will eventually live in them. A lighter color mat will make the interior orchid stand out more.  This is just an idea of how the vertical will balance with the horizontal. I hope she enjoys them for a long time to come. 

Thank you for joining me for this exciting project! I hope you will join me next time for more adventures in woodworking :)

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part final

Hello everyone,

Well this is it folks! The final part of the custom orchid frames. I had a great time with these and I hope my client will enjoy it just as much. 

Dipping the orchid in a rich walnut dye. Dipping the piece allows all the edges of
all the cutouts to be stained evenly. I had to make a shop made container to hold the dye,
since the piece was so large.

To get rid of all the excess stain, I simply place it face up onto some shop towels. This also prevents
excess stain from pooling and drying up in the corners of the cutouts.

I also stain the back of the frame and make sure to stain the interior orchid. 

After the stain has dried, I get the pieces ready to be glued. To ensure perfect alignment,
I made a simple right angle alignment jig.  

To finish off the frame, I veneer the edges. I simply stain the edges afterward to complete the frame.
To protect the frame I apply 3 coats of a spray polyurethane finish.

This completes the project. I hope you will join me for the reveal.

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 4

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back to part 4! We're almost there!

 

Here I am getting ready to rout out a recess for the key hole picture hanger.  I choose to  use one hanger
instead of two since it will be easier for the client to hang on the wall. I made a template out of mdf to get
a nice tight fitting recess. 

The routed out recess...we're not done with it just yet.

The recess cleaned up with the template removed.

To complete the recess, I drill some clearance holes for the head of the screw when hung on the wall.

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 3

Hello,

Welcome back for part 3! I am having so much fun with these frames! 

Now that I have cut the interior orchid and the window of the frame, I carefully remove the top cut-out with
a putty knife. This is a slow process, but it is the safest way I can think of.

I then use the table saw and miter gauge to cut miters on the back parts of the frame. These parts will help to  provide clearance of the picture turns

I glue the mitered parts to the back of the frame, making sure to use cauls to fully adhere the parts. To make the glue up 
go smoothly, I first glue each opposing corner, then complete the glue-up by bringing these two corners together at a later stage.

A detail shot of the miters.




Thanks for looking!

Roshaan

Custom Orchid Picture Frames - Part 2

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back for part 2 of my newest project!

I attach the top cut-out to the bottom part of the frame using double stick tape.  I use some simple right angle alignment jigs to perfectly align the parts. 

I rout a recess on the back of the frame assembly where the interior orchid  is situated. I  do this so that the orchid will sit directly on the glass. I then fill in the recess with shop scraps to make it level with the back.

I then use the scroll saw to carefully cut out the orchid and the window of the frame. 

Using an mdf template made to fit the frame precisely, I rout the recess or rabbet on the back of the frame which will house the glass, matted picture and back panel. 

Thanks for looking!

Roshaan