Thread: WIP - Rory's Cupboard

Well, I didn't really expect so much attention to be focused on the knob!

Being a somewhat practical person, it's where it is for two reasons: 1) because that's where the guy had it in the FWW plan that I used, and 2) because it needs to be easily reached by a mum putting away toys. I'm sure if she had to stoop down to open it every time, she would pretty quickly forget about any questions of style.

As for whether or not it's an unusual place for it, most kitchen cupboards that I have seen tend to align the handle with the bottom of the top rail, which is what I have done. I guess this location is traditional in Shaker furniture or something. I don't suppose the guys who publish FWW thought it looked stupid either, but there you go.

We can debate night and day about what sort of knob and where it should go, but that's the knob and that's where it is. I can't move it now. It stands out a bit at the moment because it is so shiny but it will dull soon enough. It has to be a round knob because you turn it to open the cupboard. If I went for a different style, I'd need an alternative method of keeping it closed. More hardware, more stuffing around. I'm moving on!

As for the cupping, I put a couple of extra screws in the front closer to the corners and it has pulled it into shape.

So thanks for the comments, I take the criticism on board. Lignum, I have a great deal of respect for your opinion, but you need to work on your bedside manner a bit, mate.

A bit more shellacing and it's done.

G'day SilentC,

For all the cursing etc. over the banskia being a PIA, it's turned into a beaut rip-snorta unit - I like it.

Handles, schmandles - at least it's not at diffent heights like my hand tool cabinet.

Originally Posted by silentC

So thanks for the comments, I take the criticism on board. Lignum, I have a great deal of respect for your opinion, but you need to work on your bedside manner a bit, mate.

Silent,

I suspect Lignum was just yanking your chain; actually, I was surprised also by the knob location - not because of its height - but because you put it on the left-hand door, rather than the right. But maybe the main user is left-handed, in which case it is fair enough where it is. But, as you say, it is no big deal anyway. The cabinet looks like a family heirloom already.

Rocker

Silent,
Well I love it!

Toss the knob into some hot coals for half an hour or so, and you'll get a loverly patina on it, no need for any fancy stuff.

Cheers,

P

Thats a nice piece SC, well done mate.

Some great wood there, but as others have said the knob is not in tune with the essence of the cabinet.

Why not make a couple of rectangular 'pulls' and test them a little lower (doesn't have to be much lower) but one on each door to retain the symetry?

Might be worth trying and seeing what you think and if don't like them then no harm done

Silent, that is a ripper. This is as good as you can get in woodwork. From cutting the tree to drying the wood to the construction, you did the lot. Well done. The wood is beautiful.

Re the handle, I started making my own drawer and door handles 2 -3 projects ago. Bunnings-made knobs just aren't good enough. It is a psychological thing I suppose.

Well done.

Thanks Wongo! I'm quite pleased with the grain. It really is a bitch to work with. I'm in two minds now about whether it is suitable for this type of thing. We'll see how it goes over the next few years.

the essence of the cabinet

I didn't even know it had one!

Hmm, this knob obsession is a bit of a worry. Looks like Freud was right after all

The last cabinet I made has hand-turned knobs on it. The reason this one has a bought one is because I wanted the one with the latch on the back. I suppose I could've made one with a bit of all thread and some flat bar, but really, it is such a trivial thing (to my mind) - it's a knob, fer chrisakes. I suppose it was a safe choice, I've seen all sorts of shapes and sizes - many of which I consider grotesque. I absolutely fail to see how a stock-standard 1 1/2" round brass knob could attract so much criticism. There must be literally millions of cabinets out there with knobs just like it.

I bought the knob from Goods & Chattels. They specialise in antique reproduction stuff and quality furniture hardware. Their hinges are much better than the crap you get from hardware stores. No Bunnings here anyway. I don't think Mitre 10 even sell knobs like this. I might have been able to get a D-handle I suppose.

No, as something that you grab and turn to open the door, I think it suits it's purpose admirably, and I happen to like brass.

Nice job Silent, as for the knob, as long as you like it and it does the job what more could you want

I didnt realise you were so sensative about your knob

My 2 cents, I reckon the knob is fine where it is. That's a really nice piece of work Silent.

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER- 1px inset; BORDER- 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">the essence of the cabinet </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I didn't even know it had one!

Hmm, this knob obsession is a bit of a worry. Looks like Freud was right after all

Great work BTW

I couldn't give a bugger about the knob Silent. This looks fantastic. The grain is amazing. I feel guilty because I knocked down about half a dozen old banksias in the house we used to own and did absolutely nothing with the timber. It is so soft and wet to cut I thought it would be useless. Little did I know. I learn something from this site every day. Greenie on the way.

Thanks again for the kind words everyone.

A bit p'd off at the moment because I was putting the hinges back on the doors using the brass screws I foolishly bought from Mitre 10 last week and one of them snapped. So now I've got another hour's work to remove it and plug the hole.

Bob, there are many different types of banksia. This one is coastal banksia, which I believe only occurs in sandy soils within 50km of the east coast. Coastal banksia is nearly blood-red when you cut it and quite hard. I believe some of the other banksias are a lot greyer and not as nice a timber, so yours might have been one of those. Might make you feel a bit better