Custom gun cabinet

[GunnyGene]

People tend to have an unrealistic expectation of what fine custom furniture really costs. Had an inquiry today about building a custom 12 gun cabinet. She obviously thought she could have one built for less than a commercially available cabinet, so when I told her I couldn't make one for under $3000 she damn near passed out. I don't build cheap junk. I only use top of the line hardware and woods and I know what my skills are worth.

I don't regret the lost sale.

 

[32shooter]

Quality furniture does not come cheap. I should know as my Wife recently bought a new bedroom suite and a computer desk both made out of quarter sawn oak and made by local Amish shops. I found out the hard way it does not pay to buy cheap furniture.

 

[contender]

Quality products do cost. This includes professional time. I have people try & get me to lower my rates, OR say things like; "I'm on a fixed income,,, can't you give me a discount, or not charge me?"
My usual response is; "I'm on a fixed income too, it's fixed by good paying customers, and taken by the government to pay for other people's freebies."
I never lose any sleep over lost jobs from people expecting top quality for next to nothing.

 

[DGW1949]

A good workman is worthy of his hire.

DGW

 

[diffy40]

Probably wanted it in time for Christmas too.

 

[GunnyGene]

Probably wanted it in time for Christmas too.

The conversation never got that far. :wink:

 

[JFB]

GunnyGene,
do you have any pics of previous gun cabinets you have made?

 

[GunnyGene]

GunnyGene,
do you have any pics of previous gun cabinets you have made?

Nope, never made a long gun cabinet, but have done several other large pieces, as well as jewelry boxes, pistol and other displays, full kitchen cabinet sets, tables, beds, dressers, roll top desk, etc., etc.

A gun cabinet is pretty much like any other big box with doors, drawers, and so on. Not technically difficult, just time consuming.

 

[Ruger1441]

People just don't want to pay for quality work in this day of throw away products. Sad state of affairs

 

[GunnyGene]

People just don't want to pay for quality work in this day of throw away products. Sad state of affairs

It's not just that. Many people simply can't afford it, and there is a need for inexpensive furniture, etc.

Added to that is the fact that many - especially younger folks just starting out - don't know how to distinguish between a "heirloom" piece and the usual stapled together, plastic veneered mdf stuff that you commonly find even in so-called high-end furniture stores. They wouldn't know a handcut dovetail joint from a box of rocks.

And I won't even talk about the junk that wallyworld and others sell. :roll:

 

[powder smoke]

Affordability is a factor I run into often. Labor is expensive and quality takes time.
There is more to a project than lumber. Personally I have a small fortune in tools
not taking into account my shop and supplies.

3,000.00 is not out of line for a large project of that nature.
When I lived in NH most of my life I knew a guy Dave Lamb
he lived in Canterbury NH did lots of case work for the Smithsonian.
Back in the day he did lots of my planing great guy but NOT CHEAP. ps

http://www.davidlambfurniture.com/flash/davidLamb.html

 

[GunnyGene]

Affordability is a factor I run into often. Labor is expensive and quality takes time.
There is more to a project than lumber. Personally I have a small fortune in tools
not taking into account my shop and supplies.

3,000.00 is not out of line for a large project of that nature.
When I lived in NH most of my life I knew a guy Dave Lamb
he lived in Canterbury NH did lots of case work for the Smithsonian.
Back in the day he did lots of my planing great guy but NOT CHEAP. ps

http://www.davidlambfurniture.com/flash/davidLamb.html

I've heard of Dave and seen some of his work. The man is a true artist, and way out of my league.

 

[willk]

Fact is the number of pieces of furniture that was purchased new in our home can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most of what we have was purchased at estate sales or antique auctions. Much that needed to be refinished was done in my shop. The really new pieces were made in my shop. Serviceable and solid wood but not museum quality.

 

[powder smoke]

Affordability is a factor I run into often. Labor is expensive and quality takes time.
There is more to a project than lumber. Personally I have a small fortune in tools
not taking into account my shop and supplies.

3,000.00 is not out of line for a large project of that nature.
When I lived in NH most of my life I knew a guy Dave Lamb
he lived in Canterbury NH did lots of case work for the Smithsonian.
Back in the day he did lots of my planing great guy but NOT CHEAP. ps

http://www.davidlambfurniture.com/flash/davidLamb.html

I've heard of Dave and seen some of his work. The man is a true artist, and way out of my league.

Dave is interesting my partner Jack introduced me he lived about a mile from him.
The guy spends an extraordinary amount of time in detail Artist is a true description.
He is out of my league also Gunny. ps

 

[GunnyGene]

Fact is the number of pieces of furniture that was purchased new in our home can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most of what we have was purchased at estate sales or antique auctions. Much that needed to be refinished was done in my shop. The really new pieces were made in my shop. Serviceable and solid wood but not museum quality.

Much the same with us. I'd guess somewhere around 70% of our furniture is either antiques or stuff I've built. Some of the antiques we had recovered/restored. I'm not good with fabrics.

Here's a couple of the better antiques:

 

[toysoldier]

Fact is the number of pieces of furniture that was purchased new in our home can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most of what we have was purchased at estate sales or antique auctions. Much that needed to be refinished was done in my shop. The really new pieces were made in my shop. Serviceable and solid wood but not museum quality.

Much the same with us. I'd guess somewhere around 70% of our furniture is either antiques or stuff I've built. Some of the antiques we had recovered/restored. I'm not good with fabrics.

Those are some beautiful pieces, but a bit ornate for my taste. I'm more of an Arts & Crafts sort of guy.

My brother and I spent several months stripping furniture for a college professor. He had a good eye for hidden gems. Our "payment" was going with him and his wife on a two-week drive through Mexico. This was 40 years ago, and a great experience.

 

[Ruger45]

A gun cabinet is pretty much like any other big box with doors, drawers, and so on. Not technically difficult, just time consuming.

You are dead on with passing on that womans work. An old saying "I have no problem with another man's cheaper price. He knows what he is worth."
As for the gun cabinet I have to say yes and no on that I have done a few of them now and while it is just a box there are some very different things that need to be considered. Is it for shotguns, lever guns, Ar's all have different size needs. Do they have scopes? Will they have scopes? How many pistols or revolvers are going in it. To many questions and each customer is going to have different needs.

 

[GunnyGene]

Fact is the number of pieces of furniture that was purchased new in our home can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Most of what we have was purchased at estate sales or antique auctions. Much that needed to be refinished was done in my shop. The really new pieces were made in my shop. Serviceable and solid wood but not museum quality.

Much the same with us. I'd guess somewhere around 70% of our furniture is either antiques or stuff I've built. Some of the antiques we had recovered/restored. I'm not good with fabrics.

Those are some beautiful pieces, but a bit ornate for my taste. I'm more of an Arts & Crafts sort of guy.

My brother and I spent several months stripping furniture for a college professor. He had a good eye for hidden gems. Our "payment" was going with him and his wife on a two-week drive through Mexico. This was 40 years ago, and a great experience.

So am I actually, but my wife gets a vote also. And you know how that usually goes. Anyway, here's a couple large projects I did that are more along the A&C lines. You may like it a bit more than the antiques.

Chest on Chest, Approx 60"H x 48"W. All traditional joinery, including hand cut dovetails on case sides and drawers. Every piece including molding, etc. I cut from rough sawn walnut & maple. Fun project.

A cabinet modeled after an old-time White Clad icebox.

 

[GunnyGene]

A gun cabinet is pretty much like any other big box with doors, drawers, and so on. Not technically difficult, just time consuming.

You are dead on with passing on that womans work. An old saying "I have no problem with another man's cheaper price. He knows what he is worth."
As for the gun cabinet I have to say yes and no on that I have done a few of them now and while it is just a box there are some very different things that need to be considered. Is it for shotguns, lever guns, Ar's all have different size needs. Do they have scopes? Will they have scopes? How many pistols or revolvers are going in it. To many questions and each customer is going to have different needs.

Of course. Interior arrangements, as you mention, is certainly a significant design concern with anything like this. By "technically not difficult" I was referring primarily to joinery, etc.

I'd love to see some of your work, if you have any pics.

 

[Ruger45]

 

[Ruger45]

Finally got around to pics for ya Gunny

 

[Ruger45]

 

[GunnyGene]

RH, very nice! You do good work Is the canon a shooter? Looks like it might be. Like the other things also.

Do you happen to know Michael Elledge down in TX? He makes canon carriages and related also.

 

[Ruger45]

Thanks Gunny Yes the canon is a shooter I wouldn't have it any other way LOL That is cannon number 2. Number 1 is the same thing out of Birdseye. No I have not heard of him.

 

[GunnyGene]

Thanks Gunny Yes the canon is a shooter I wouldn't have it any other way LOL That is cannon number 2. Number 1 is the same thing out of Birdseye. No I have not heard of him.

Thought it looked like a shooter

Michaels' site is http://www.jmelledge.com/ if you want to check it out. I know him from a woodworking forum where we both hang out.

 

[Ruger45]

I tried to add a photo of my Henry rack but it was to big

 

[GunnyGene]

I tried to add a photo of my Henry rack but it was to big

I've done that a couple times. I usually run pics thru Irfanview. It will resize and do other common editing either individually or in batch mode. Quick and easy - and free. http://www.irfanview.com/