From coffee table to cupboard...

     If you go back to the beginning of this blog you will find a post about a coffee table. The table in that post had been in the store for sale for a little over a year without being purchased so to make room for newer pieces I decided it was time to bring it back to the workshop. After moving the table around a few times to make room in the shop I knew something had to be done.

     What to do? Chop it up and toss it on the scrap pile? The thought had crossed my mind. Then, while shuffling the table from one side of the shop to the other for the last time it was chop time! Some pieces of the table would not end up on the scrap pile though. The pieces that could be reused were transformed into the cupboard pictured above.

     With a fresh cut off wheel on the grinder I started dismantling the coffee table and separating the usable parts from the scrap. The 3 inch channel base and the 1 1/2 angle frame of the top were the only pieces that made the transition into the new cupboard. The remaining parts were set aside maybe to be reused in a future piece of my furniture or to sold off and turned into a new air conditioner, toaster or whatever scrap metal gets turned into.

     I have had the idea of a large cupboard floating around for a while and with the leftover steel from the table this seemed like the perfect time to get started on a new project. A few rough sketches were drawn up and then the process of cutting, forming and welding began. The frame of the cupboard is steel angle covered with 18 gauge sheet metal that has been step rolled to add some design flare. To finish the steel a rusting solution was used and then sanded off. Black stain was applied next to darken the metal with a final hand rubbed waxing to help protect the finish.

     The wood that I used for the shelves was salvaged from a local feed storage barn that was being torn down. A light sanding was all the boards needed before a coat of Briwax Tudor Brown was applied. The dark color contrasts well with the metal and also allows the character of the wood to still show through. I like being able to see all of the saw marks, nail holes and bug holes that the old wood has earned over the years.

     At 80 inches tall, 4 feet wide and 2 feet deep at the base this cupboard is an attention grabber. Stop by the Black Falcon Fabrication booth inside Antiques In Milton to see it in person. Located at 109 Union Street in Milton, Delaware the store is open 7 days a week 10 till 5 Monday through Saturday, 12 til 5 on Sundays.

    

Brass tags

From the start all of the furniture that I have built has had a serial number stamped on the framework. Now, along with the stamped number each piece will have a custom etched brass tag. Due to the etching process each tag is unique just like the furniture that I build.

Just out of the shop...

     This is the latest piece from the shop. All of the usual goodies are included. The steel frame with bead rolled panels, barn wood top and aged patina get your attention first. Grab the hand built handle and swing the door open to find two adjustable and removable shelves. The steel frames of the shelves hold thick barn wood slats and are ready to hold whatever you can fit through the door of the cabinet. Standing 40" tall and 16" square this latest offering from Black Falcon Fabrication is built to last for generations.

This cabinet has been sold. Please inquire about having a piece of furniture custom built to fit your needs.

Store display

 Here is the finished display piece that I teased a photo of the other day.

   Starting with some inspiration from the world wide web I headed to a nearby flea market to gather some time worn supplies. Once the dust settled from digging through the piles of  Linda's treasures I had found the perfect items for this project. An old door with the lower corner missing where some critters had chewed through, a pair of louvered closet doors and an old church pew with cracked paint along with a few other finds were stacked besides the truck waiting for a deal to be struck. As soon as the money changed hands the truck was loaded and I was on my way back the shop.

   After a quick stop at Lowes for a few more supplies I was at the shop and work began. The church pew was dismantled and the wood was used on the sides of the door and for the deck of the "porch". The closet doors make up the end walls and some rusty tin from my stash of goodies finished off the roof. I had to make the shelves from new wood but with some paint work and added distressing they blend in nicely with the older items.

   With the help of my wife Anna and two friends Chris and Steven the new display is in place and stocked full of items ready for purchase. A big thank you goes out to them for taking time out of their day to help me get this in place and ready to go.

Hmmm, what's this?

A tease photo of one of this weeks projects. I am hoping for some better weather so I can get some pictures of this outside.

Shots from the shop...

Fresh Finds

A few pics of some recent finds.

 The Huffman oil can is really cool. It has an adjustable spout that can be moved all the way straight down. There is a stopper in the bottom of the can with a lever so nothing pours out until you are ready.

The red hand truck has some style to it. Rubber tires too.

The springs are a little over 4 inches tall. These could be used as decoration pieces or would work well as candle or flower holders.

The metal tray measures 10 5/8" wide, 18 3/4" long and 5 1/2" deep. Built tough it could hold just about anything you could put in it.

Look for these and other vintage and interesting objects in the Black Falcon Fabrication booth. Antiques in Milton 109 Union Street Milton, Delaware 19968.