Popular Post pdjms1 Posted July 29, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 It all started way back in the year 2013… My grandmother was going to move down to Texas from California and had a nice porch she wanted to be able to sit on and enjoy the cool Texas summers (sarcasm) and asked if I could build her a bench. I asked her what kind of style she wanted and she gave me carte blanche. I had seen some benches from Matt Downer that I really liked and figured I would give it a shot. The first bench was very nice and my grandmother loves it. However, while bragging to some of my work buddies (photos on an iPhone) one asked how much would I charge to build something like that…. I didn't realize he was legitimately looking for a quote, so I spouted off some absurdly high figure based on what Matt charges. To my surprise he asked if I could have one completed by his wives birthday which was 6 weeks away! I accepted the challenge and despite having several setbacks (knotty wood that had to be epoxied, dropping the finished piece and having to make modifications to the design and refinish the entire thing, etc) I was able to complete it by the deadline. Update: I would like to clarify that I didn't find Matt's prices to be absurd but that it was absurd for me to charge in the same ballpark as someone with his reputation, skill, creativity, etc. I have the utmost respect for Matt and feel as though, with the quality of work he produces, he deserves the maximum price the market will bear. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 A really cool design! Nicely done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 SWEEEEET!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted July 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Thanks for the kind words… btw i forgot to mention that the base is made out of WRC, the top is Curly Maple with strips of Honduras Mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Very nice! I hope your buddie's wife likes it as much as we do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Very nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firehawk Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Great job. Can you let us in on the absurdly high number you quoted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 @wtnhighlander She sent a very nice note thanking me for the hard work and my wife for letting me spend so much time in the shop (garage) lol. Then they asked me to do a entry table for them once I worked through my wives honey do list. The really cool thing that I didn't realize is he is apparently a pretty accomplished modern art painter who has had work displayed at the Dallas modern art museum. I suppose i should consider this a bigger compliment to the design then just some random guy who liked my stuff but I was just happy that someone appreciated my design enough to want to buy it. @ Mark Ruggles considering i had about $150 in materials I quoted $1200 which I considered high for a bench from an unknown woodworker. This was my first "commissioned" job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Jimerfield Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Very nice. Was the curvy bit done with the cutting board technique as described in FWW magazine a while back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 I don't subscribe to any WW magazines (said after looking over both shoulders sheepishly)... I keep meaning to but never get around to it... I can tell you how I did it... 1.) Glued the curly maple boards together after milling 2.) Made a template out of MDF using the bandsaw and then finessing the curves on the Oscillating spindle sander and finally with a sand sanding plank 3.) Clamp the template to the bench top and route out the shape 4.) make sure the bent lamination (not sure what else to call it) components are the same thickness as the router bit or it can cause a misalignment. 5.) glue it all back together but make sure that you created cauls with spaces cut out to allow for the raised portion of the "lamination" and avoid interferance Hope that helps and I am curious if that is the same method they described or if there is an easier way to do it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Very nicely done and you're quite right to be proud of it. Congratulations on your first commission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Jimerfield Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 I don't subscribe to any WW magazines (said after looking over both shoulders sheepishly)... I keep meaning to but never get around to it... I can tell you how I did it... 1.) Glued the curly maple boards together after milling 2.) Made a template out of MDF using the bandsaw and then finessing the curves on the Oscillating spindle sander and finally with a sand sanding plank 3.) Clamp the template to the bench top and route out the shape 4.) make sure the bent lamination (not sure what else to call it) components are the same thickness as the router bit or it can cause a misalignment. 5.) glue it all back together but make sure that you created cauls with spaces cut out to allow for the raised portion of the "lamination" and avoid interferance Hope that helps and I am curious if that is the same method they described or if there is an easier way to do it. Thanks That's the same method - essentially. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 For what its worth, I wouldn't consider that price absurdly high at all. It is a beautiful piece that you spent many hours working on, done in a very quick time frame. It is all to easy to sell ourselves short when pricing to compete with Ikea and Walmart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieboy Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Your design sense, ingenuity and woodworking skill are to be admired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Hey Mike you make some excellent points… guess its one of those things that I would have been doing without him paying me and its not by any means a source of income for me… although when i retire in 2045 I might consider it as my retirement job . Thank you for the kind words of encouragement woodieboy, admired no, laughed at yes (event a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again. lol) but thank you for the compliments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted July 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 For anyone interested I have created an album with some of the process photos of how I did the cutout for the "inlay" and the frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MattDowner Posted August 27, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 pdjms1 - Well done all the way around. I'm honored that you liked my work enough to use it as an inspiration. You reinterpreted the design and made it your own. I'd say that's the essence of the creative process. And, you gave me credit to boot, which would have been easy enough to not do. You're a man of honor and distinction. Now that you're on the backside of the project, I'm guessing that you have a fuller understanding of the actual hours involved in doing this stuff for retail. As Mike M rightly suggested, woodworkers are famous for undervaluing their work. It's true, my prices are high, but please keep in mind that my work is featured in galleries and I can't undercut them. My wholesale prices are well below what is out there, but that's one of the tradeoffs of having other people show your work. In the end, most of us salivate at the wages that other trades (electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc) charge. Add in the years it takes to hone the craft, fine tune your style and develop a clientele, and it's no wonder that most people keep furniture making in the hobby category. They're probably the smart ones. Sorry for being just a touch defensive (I think the chip on my shoulder is giving me scoliosis!) but defending the value of making original things by hand, one at a time and in an honest way that will stand the test of time is also a part of the job, as I've come to find out. Again, well done. Keep it up. Charge what you're worth and don't hesitate to get in touch with me if I can be of any help on future projects. www.mattdownerdesigns.com 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Welcome Matt and thanks for posting. Here's hoping you continue to contribute. I get a sense you might have a lot to add to the conversations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzdadoc Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 Awesome!!! Being a gear head I like the 3rd pick that looks like a V8 upside down showing the crankshaft main caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted December 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Hi Matt, My statement about the price being a lot was because it was from an unknown woodworker (me) and was in no way intended to be a dig at your pricing. Your prices are higher then I would feel comfortable with charging for my work at this point but I don't feel as though it is absurdly high for one of your pieces that are recognized as art. I suppose at this point I consider mine (for now at least) to be just a bench with a nifty design. Perhaps in the future this will change if I develop a reputation for good work and design but I suppose I just didn't see that much value in what I brought to the table at the time I was quoting this price. I can see how my original comment could give you the impression that I thought your prices were "absurd" and if I left you with that impression I apologize it was not my intent. I truly respect your design, quality, craftsmanship, and now your maturity in dealing with what could have easily been something others would have "flamed" me for. I do agree artists as a whole are bad about undervaluing our work because we love what we do and it almost feels like cheating to get paid for it at times. However, it is important to remember that there is an opportunity cost to spending hours in our shops and we should be compensated for spending time away from our families, or other activities/projects we enjoy. I know many gallery arrangements are a result of cultivating personal relationships among other things but would you be willing in another thread to discuss some "best practices" you have found for wood workers who are trying to get into their local galleries? Finally, just saw your video for the cantilevered dining table and I always love watching an artist/craftsman in their element! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted December 4, 2014 Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 PD, I dont think you should feel sensitive at all about the price you charged. You created an amazing piece there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdjms1 Posted December 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2014 Thanks ResidentEvil for the compliment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob493 Posted December 8, 2014 Report Share Posted December 8, 2014 This is fantastic. Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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