Thread: Need Opinions

Hi Derek,

I like the handles, they look just right. The doors expanding a little is easily fixed, I'm not sure why however, frame and panel construction should have coped with a fair amount of movement?

Regards
Ray

Hi Derek,

I like the handles, my only other thought was a tear drop? shapped handle rather than a ring pull?

Mark

Handles

I'm not totally convinced by the handles, especially if you are going to also use them on the drawer, but since the wooden handles were vetoed and I can't suggest anything else, go with them until something better comes along!

As for the movement, I am surprised. Perhaps it will shrink again in side. I certainly would wait until the wood has acclimatised to where it is going to live before removing any!

Hi Derek

Years ago when I worked in the timber industry we kiln dried and air dried timber to 12%, except for furniture grade which was dried to 8%. Now I know it made a difference.

A trick of the antique trade is to heat brass fittings to a fairly high temperature and then allow them to cool. It "mellows" the surface appearance and adds 100 years to the age.

Cheers

Graeme

Derek

Those handles would not be my choice . However as WW said, it is your cabinet.

I have attached a photo of the handles on a Krenov style cabinet I made, which you may find of interest. I made the handles out of some scrap Brigalow with a peg carved on one end which is glued into the door the end grain is textured with a 3mm #8 carving gouge. the handles are around 6mm thick, 20 mm long & 20mm wide. There are two drawers inside the cabinet, which are fitted with the same style handle mounted horizontally.

I suggest yours could be elongated diamonds say 50mm long and around 12mm thick, on both doors and drawer.

I hope this gives you some food for thought.



Regards

Nice work Derek. A teardrop on a metal diamond plate would be a more integrated look .The right hardware is always problem .

Hi Derek,
First of all I just have to say the armoire looks beautiful, understated and a real credit to your craftsmanship.
About the timber movement, I'm not sure. Obviously the the humidity is different inside your house, but it is the dry time in Perth now, so what is going to happen in winter when it rains?? Even more expansion, or will the air con dry the air and the timber will contract?! How is it finished, maybe you said in an earlier post?
The handles... are they knobs that turn to unlock or are they just pulls? How do the doors stay closed: friction, magnet hold backs, or spring clips? Two handles (or pulls) are needed I guess, but my feeling is that the rings are too close together, visually crowding each other, so tear drop handles could be the answer. I also think the rings themselves are a little on the ornate side, maybe a simpler style would suit the understated cabinetry. Just my opinion...

Cheers

Originally Posted by mpatman

Hi Derek,

I like the handles, my only other thought was a tear drop? shapped handle rather than a ring pull?

Mark

Derek,

I agree with mark. To my eye the balance between the diamond inlays pointing downwards is broken by the rings. When I first look at the armoire my eyes are drawn straight to the rings because they are at odds with the angles of the piece. A small pair of tear drops would compliment the inlays by mimicking those angles.

Ball Pein: The hardware isn't really that much of a problem. It's not difficult to modify an existing set of pulls.

Great work and lovely cupboard, but it looks terrible with out a top. Looks rushed and incomplete.

The top is under construction - in Jarrah. It is to act as a table top. I am also constructing a matching (wall hung) mirror with a Jarrah frame for above the armoire.

To get a better perspective of the armoire, here is a picture alongside a door jamb. You will see that it not a high piece (just high enough for hanging space and a drawer) - it is designed for a small guest room.



Regards from Perth

Derek

Think I would try for handles to more closely match the diamond inlay: Keep to a theme.

To right Denim, altering hardware is part of the job. I'm hardly ever thrilled with most hardware.

Derek, as others have already said it's your armoire. However, I've followed and enjoyed all your postings on its contruction and it seems to me that the diamond inlay theme is forcing you to accept things that you aren't completely happy with. I seem to remember you posting some rather nice handle designs, but none of them went overly well with the diamond inlays.

I'm no furniture designer (heck I've just managed to get edge tools to the point where I'd put 'em to wood) but is this a case of "If thine inlay offend thee, cut it out" ??? I mean is the diamond theme unchangeable or something you really want to keep

Ken