Woodworking Blog

Palo Alto Remodel Project is moving right along

Wed, 23 May 2012 23:38:00 GMT

Our Palo Alto Remodeling project is moving right along. Construction is complete, new shaker style cabinetry is installed, counter-tops are in and the floors are being installed now.

Don't miss the full story and more pictures in our next newsletter which will be going out in the next couple weeks. Also included in the newsletter will be a contemporary remodel, and all the latest news from Michael Meyer Fine Woodworking.

If you would like to be added to our newsletter mailing list, just CLICK HERE

and I will add you to the list.

Thats all for now,

Patrick Miller - General Manager

Re: Spam posts to our Woodworkers Blog

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:44:00 GMT

SPAMMERS,

Regarding your Spam/posts to our Woodworkers blog -- http://www.mmfww.com/_blog/Woodworking_Blog

I really do not have time to keep deleting these postings to our blog which are trying to solicit revenue from my customers, it is wasting allot of my time and I would appreciate it if you would please just stop.

If it doesn't stop... I will be forced to disable comments all together and that would be a shame.

Not only will it stop your spams but it will also eliminate needed feedback from our customers and colleagues.

Please respect what we are trying to do here and stop posting spam,

PLEASE go bother someone else, thank you :-)

Re-Claimed Teak Cabinet

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:45:00 GMT

We just completed a small cabinet made of Re-Claimed Teak to illustrate

the quality of our work to a new potential client.

Pictures of the finished cabinet, as well as the rough Re-Claimed teak lumber that we used for material appear in our web gallery under CURRENT PROJECTS .

This was an interesting undertaking, to scan the re-claimed lumber for metal (Nails, etc...) , remove the metal, join, resaw, plane, sand, cut, layup and mill all the material to make the finished ends and doors.

Working with this material did prove to be a challenge :-)

More Pictures of the entire cabinet appear in our web gallery under CURRENT PROJECTS .

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

Quarter Sawn Cherry with Horizontal Grain

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:45:00 GMT

I just uploaded pictures and video of a Quarter Sawn Horizontal Grain Cabinetry project

that we recently completed in Menlo Park. The project consisted of a Custom Kitchen,

wet bar, laundry room, hall linen and floating vanity with bamboo vessel sink.

We are very happy with the finished product and had alot of fun with the details on this project.

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A few of the details are the Claro Walnut Accent strip added to the edge of the crown molding

as well as the light rail, Custom hand made pull-out wine rack, Grain matching horizontally that wraps around

onto the finished ends and continues around the finished inside corners.

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Check out our video link below to get a walk through of the entire project.

For more pictures of the project you can

CLICK HERE

to be taken to our "Current Projects " section in our web gallery.

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For a complete Video Walk through of the project on our YouTube Channel

CLICK HERE

Hope you enjoy the show

...........

For More Pics CLICK HERE

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

Seth Turns a George Bowl on the Lathe

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:46:00 GMT

CLICK HERE to see the New Video posted to YouTube of our man Seth turning a bowl made from "George" the tree.

Palo Alto Weekly - Story on George Jr.

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:46:00 GMT

IN WITH THE NEW ... George Jr. , Cowper Street's newest resident received a hearty welcome from city leaders and area residents this week. The oak tree that the city planted on the corner of Cowper and Homer Street stands at a spot previously occupied byGeorge, a coastal live oak that had graced the corner for about 150 years.

CLICK HERE for the full article

Patrick Miller

Solid Cherry Arched Door with Beveled Glass

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:47:00 GMT

This Solid Cherry Interior Arched Door with Beveled Glass was a fun project. We made a template of the existing arched opening and constructed a custom Solid Cherry door with side lights and beveled glass to fit the opening. Here are some before and after photos and if you

CLICK HERE

it will take you to the video of the completed project on YouTube.

CLICK HERE for more pictures uploaded on our Facebook page

Stay tuned for more completed projects in the coming weeks,

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

"George",The Tree, Blog #3 and Bowl Video

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:47:00 GMT

We were enlisted to make usable Items from an oak tree that has been part of this Palo Alto Community for over a century. The residents fondly refer to this wonderful oak tree as "George". This is the Third Blog in this series about George and we took a short video of the steps to turn a bowl and uploaded it to our YouTube Channel.

CLICK HERE for the Short Video on our YouTube Channel

Stay tuned in the weeks to come for more updates on " George "

Seth Harpending - Shop Foreman

"George" The tree -Blog # 2

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:48:00 GMT

Turning blanks cut and sealed on their way to the lathe.

George bowls starting to emerge. They are turned wet, as they dry they shrink,

deform and sometimes crack. They are not intended to be "salad bowls" but

objects in homage to a magnificent tree. They will be sanded, some carved a little

and oiled once dry which will take approximately a month.

The 3 that I have turned so far measure 15", 12" and 7" in diameter.

We are currently taking orders, Stay tuned for more updates ....

Seth Harpending - Shop Forman

"George" The Historic Palo Alto Oak Tree

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:49:00 GMT

My friend Urban Cummings, who's with Canopy, recently asked for my help in honoring a magnificent Palo Alto oak tree that had to be removed because it was in danger of falling. The entire interior of the trunk had rotted away such that it could no longer support a tree of its large size.

The tree, "George", was located on Cowper street in the University South Neighborhood near Homer Street.

We're in the process of salvaging
parts and pieces including the base of the

hollow trunk, a bunch of round "cookies",

and limb-wood for turning blanks and small slabs.

Various local folks and organizations will be putting them into service

once they've been properly dried- probably one to two years..

Stay tuned...
Michael

Octagonal stained glass window project

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:50:00 GMT

I love stained glass. I have a collection of pieces that I have acquired

through the years- some modern, some antique. Our current remodeling project

on College Ave. in Palo Alto will feature a couple of custom pieces that will be

mounted into custom octagonal window sashes made in our shop. The house

presently has some beautiful units that are visible from the street and are

extremely eye-catching.

The new units will be installed in the upstairs bathrooms which each

have skylights as well. I'm looking forward to checking out how the sunlight

lights up the bathrooms over the course of the day. Our client is in the process

of selecting an artist for the glass-work.

Here are some Pictures of our current project - Stay tuned for updates.

Michael Meyer

Completed Palo Alto Remodel with 2nd story addition

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:50:00 GMT

VIDEO AND PHOTO LINKS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE
This Complete Palo Alto Remodel consisted of:
*Adding a complete second story to the home
*Built in custom cabinets and custom closets
*Adding a deluxe spiral staircase
*Shoji Screen's in several locations
*New hydronic radiant heat throughout
*A combination of hardwood and dyed concrete floors
as well as ....
*Custom decks and staircases on the exterior
*New custom doors and windows throughout
*Trim moldings and finish carpentry throughout
* New drywall and paint throughout
*Custom skylights
*Sunken Japanese Style dining area
*Installation of a Jacuzzi Spa
and the list goes on...
Our Architect for this project was Tali Hardonag and the video is compliments of DeLeon Real Estate

.... we hope you enjoy this walk-through

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETED PROJECT VIDEO

on our YouTube Channel

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STILL PHOTOS IN OUR GALLERY

Bowl Turning by Seth Harpending

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:51:00 GMT

The small lidded vessels are made from remnants from the custom cabinet shop. The lids and finials are made from recycled flooring taken from a construction site. The other bowls came from urban trees that were cut down by a fellow that keeps his trucks and equipment next door to our shop. All were turned wet (freshly cut) and allowed to dry. Most of the time as they dry they shrink and deform, sometimes cracking. The woods include pittosporum, live oak, cherry and avocado.

Seth Harpending - Shop Forman

Custom Furniture in Black and Red

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:52:00 GMT

I just got back from taking the finished pictures and video walk through of a project that we completed for Fibre Arts Design Studio in the hills above Cupertino. I posted the Pictures to our Photo Gallery and posted the video Walk through to our YouTube Channel . The Furniture consisted of 4 - Black Coffee tables with red lace wood tops, 1 - 16 foot black couch with leather upholstered front panel and grey cushions, 1 - black stereo cabinet with red lace wood inlay, a complete Bedroom set-to include: a platform bed with grey lacewood inlay on headboard, 3 black dresser/armoirs with grey lacewood inlay, and two floating 16" deep nightstands with drawers.

Also added was a black bar cabinet with 2 glass doors, 2 stainless steel doors, stemware holders, wine rack and a very interesting counter-top/sink combo. We enjoyed working with the designers at Fibre Arts Design Studio to create this truly unique ensemble of contemporary furniture pieces. For more pictures click here ... For Video Click Here

We would love to hear your feedback on our new blog ... just hit "comment " below, Thanks

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

A Blast from the Past

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:53:00 GMT

My dad recently sent me my boyhood .22, an Ithaca Model 49 single-shot. The ejector was having problems and required taking the entire gun apart in order to fix it. Since it was all apart anyway, I decided to make some upgrades. The new stock is longer and shoulders lower than the original. I used a couple of nicely figured pieces of walnut that I found in the rack. I reshaped and polished the trigger, the lever and the front sight. It now fits me perfectly and feels great in the hand.

Michael Meyer

Starting the process, Cleaning, re-tooling & polishing It was fun to restore this little piece of my past

Wood Steamer/Bender - Easy to make

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Here is an easy way to make your own home made Wood Steamer/Bender.

The Parts you will need are :

1 - Wallpaper steamer ( got mine at Home Depot + or - $40 )

1 - 4 to 10 foot Length of Black PVC pipe with one threaded end and one Capped end

1- Hose bib ( To adjust the drainage )

First - Drill a hole in the threaded cap to insert the end of the steamer hose

Then - Drill a hole in the capped end to thread in the hose bib

Then - Make a Horizontal stand to rest the PVC on

Then Fill the steamer with water and place the piece of wood to be bent into the PVC

install the threaded cap and turn the steamer on - when the steam starts flowing,

adjust the hose bib to allow for drainage. That's all there is to it. Takes about 45 minutes

until wood is bendable. CLICK HERE to see a video of the final product

This is a great tool for any woodworker.

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

Our newest completed project just uploaded to YouTube.

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT

BEFORE DURING AFTER

Our newest completed project just hit YouTube Click here to view

The project was to take an existing TV cabinet and re-configure it to accommodate a new LCD T.V. and add storage space in the process. Sorry there is no sound on this one.

We would appreciate any and all feedback, Thanks, Patrick

In response to Filomena from Belmont

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT

In response to Filomena from Belmont :

(Who commented on our newsletter post yesterday and asked about custom closets) :

Hello Filomena, yes we do also design and build custom closets to order. Here is a link to that section of our portfolio on our website: Custom Closets There you will find just a few of the closets that we have completed for clients in the past.

Please keep in mind that with our company there are no limitations, we can build your closet to fit all of your needs. If you would like to schedule a free in-home consultation just give me a call at (650) 960-3447 and ask for Patrick. We look forward to working with you on your project.

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

Our Quarterly Newsletter is here

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Hello friends -
Hope this latest issue of The Blueprint finds you well and enjoying the buildup to the winter holidays! We're busy in the shop this time of year wrapping up projects and making plans for the New Year, and wanted to bring you updates from some of our latest remodels and custom furniture projects. Click Here to read this months issue of " The Blueprint ", our company newsletter.

Patrick Miller

Project Manager

My first project when I started at MMFWW

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:56:00 GMT

My first project, some years back, when I closed my own cabinet shop and joined the MMFWW team was a home renovation in Palo Alto.

I remember being very exited to work with such a skilled group of

craftsmen and having the ability to learn more about my trade from

my co-workers as well as having the opportunity to fine tune my craft.

Here is a quick walk through of the first project that I was able to work on.

Click here for short 3 min video of the project that shows the upstairs

staircase that I completed, Bookcase/Hidden door, that was built by me and

included Redwood T&G wainscot , Redwood beams, Redwood Entertainment Center that I designed and built into the wall, Redwood Bookcases built around the couch section and all of the redwood for this project came from fallen tree's that endured the Big Sur Fires that happened back in 2008. For more pictures of this project click here.

We hope you like our new woodworking blog and stop in and say hi occasionally when you have a chance :-)

Patrick Miller - Project Manager

Paint Grade Vanity Cabinet just completed by Seth

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:57:00 GMT

Hello Bloggers, I built this Paint Grade Vanity last week and we just got it back from our finishing shop.

Built to the clients specifications. Constructed of Maple with a painted exterior and pre-finished Maple interior. A few of the nice features about this vanity are the flush inset doors, dovetailed drawer boxes and soft close under-mount drawer slides. The Custom legs were added for interest and the soft close hinges on the door add a little extra to this piece.

Seth Harpending - Shop Forman

Craftsman Style Kitchen Cabinets on YouTube

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:57:00 GMT

Here is a detailed view of a kitchen we designed with Craftsman Style Kitchen Cabinets. Notice the simple lines and minimal ornamentation. The MMFWW team followed the traditions of the Arts and Crafts movement and focused on aesthetic simplicity, talented craftsmanship, and impeccable quality.

CLICK HERE for more pictures of this project

CLICK HERE for the video of the project on

YouTube: Craftsman Style Kitchen Cabinets

Sincerely,
MMFWW team.

New MMFWW Blog

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:58:00 GMT

Welcome to our new Fine Woodworking blog. Here you can join our team on location as we craft furniture, rebuild some of the classic homes in the Bay Area, and design, build, finish and install custom bathroom cabinets, custom kitchen cabinets, entertainment centers and home theaters, custom closets, home offices, custom hand made furniture and the list goes on. It doesn't matter if you are an aspiring craftsman or a home owner wanting new insights into home construction, we are here to teach you our techniques, share stories, and we welcome your feedback. To subscribe to this Blog click the icon on the bottom of our home page

Sincerely,
The MMFWW team