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Story of a Bookcase
This is the story of a bookcase which started life as an idea in our customers head and another bookcase he once owned in a previous house. This oak corner bookcase was made specifically for a small office in the customer’s new home. Some carving detail was needed to match a staircase newel post, some flowers carved in a fire surround and the initials of the customer and his wife were to be carved in two of the door panels. It had to accommodate down pipes from upstairs, and a set of under floor heating pipes that had to remain accessible. The final design was for a corner bookcase with breakfronts on both sides of the corner and a canted end near the entrance door. At the same time a kneehole desk was made to go in front of the window looking out over the river Orwell.
The captions beneath the photos below tell the story, but once the design had been made and approved a trip to the wood yard to buy the solid wood for the tops and doors and a call to the veneering company for the shelves and less visible parts of the cabinet. Then a photo board was assembled to clarify the main design points. A setting out rod made full size helps to get the proportions correct and the down pipe and under floor heating pipes to be allowed for. Once the boards have been cut out, housings, rebates, dovetails and other joints are used to make the carcass strong and rigid.
Doors and tops are glued up and assembled and mouldings machined out and well sanded. The carving designs are usually traced onto the wood with carbon paper before being hand carved with a selection of carving chisels, and sanded to the required smoothness for the job. Sometimes it is nice to leave the chisel marks in the wood for a better effect, sometimes a really smooth surface on the carving is best (for gilding for example).
After delivery final adjustment to the doors may be necessary. All new furniture is branded with the Three Bells Brand to show that great care and attention have been used throughout, and that the makers are proud of their craftsmanship. Way up there with the money in the bank is the satisfaction of the customer!! Another cabinet from Three Bells Furniture for future generations to benefit from and enjoy.
Selecting the wood in the Sutton Timber Woodyard. |
Jonathan hand jointing some boards. |
Photo Gallery. |
Setting out. |
Some tricky pipework and underfloor heating to accomodate and keep accessible. |
Setting Out. |
Brian chopping in a Housing. |
Moulding the top with a router. |
Fielding the door panels. |
Glueing up the door. |
The cabinet begins to take shape. |
The cabinet begins to take shape. |
The complicated top goes on. |
Detail of the cornice moulding. |
Detail of the Newel Post carving. |
Carving transferred to the door. |
Detail of the fireplace carving. |
Carving modified and transferred to the door panels. |
Carved Initials. |
Brian and Adam assembling the cabinets on site. |
All new furniture is proudly branded with the Three Bells Brand. |
The finished bookcases in use. |
From this..... |
To this. |
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