Doric Order Install update 9-22-2010

We finally get it ON THE WALL! Yeah! There is still a bunch more work to do...Stay tuned!

A little known architectural fact, Part 1

I stumbled on this video on youtube. This is Basic architecture 101 however this video is GREAT! Its a must watch as well as Part 2 about the orders.

Doric Order Colonnade Build Highlights 9-19-2010

Here is a Highlight video of our progress on the Doric Build. Look for more progress in the up coming week! We will be installing the Modillion blocks that we made (as seen in the video) and we will be installing the rest of our molding on the entablature. We are Almost ready to set the entablature on the columns. I know both Rob and I are anxious to see it up on the wall. Its just right around the corner! We will be installing this using a "French Cleat" method. Ill have more on that after we get it installed.
So exciting! This project is really consuming not only my time..but my thoughts as well. I just hope that some day I can build this again for a customer....
More later...

Doric Order Show Room Piece update...

We are working as much as we can on this piece  for the show room. So far everything is going together smoothly. We still have the entablature on the bench. But we have all the triglyphs and guttae drops done and installed.  Today we finished making the Custom Modillion Blocks. These are placed above the triglyphs and offer a complimentary support to the corona and terminating crown above.
There was LOTS of work involved in making these blocks. However we did NOT cheat on the details, and layed out every guttae drop.. yes all 36 of them per block!

Tomorrow ( 9-19-10 ) we will have them all installed with some of the moldings and will be working on the corona and terminating cyma.

you can follow our progress shots of this build here:
Doric Order Construction Gallery

Look for an update very soon with more pics and a video highlights of our project up to date. I should have something to post after this weekend. :)

iphone Apps for the Finish Carpenter

“There’s an App for that” We have all heard that phrase! Before I got my iphone I really didn’t understand what the big deal was. As a finish carpenter, I needed a phone to do the basic things like Email and Text message as well as just be a Phone. I also wanted to be able to get directions to jobsites and appointments as well. Little did I realize the great potential this powerful tool can do for us finish carpenters using iphone’s ability to download custom built apps purchased via Apple App store.


There are countless apps that can help you run your business, and communicate more efficiently with customers and employees. I wanted to find apps that I can use on a jobsite to be more productive. Here are few Apps that I use quite frequently to help me out as a carpenter.


BuildCalc
http://buildcalc.com/

Main Screen Interface

BuildCalc is an Advanced Construction Calculator that offers a lot of specialized features as well as these unique help screens that assist in guiding you through the calculations. In addition to having basic construction math –which you probably already are familiar with- it has advanced formulas for figuring out compound crown molding spring angles, Drywall function (that calculates number of sheets goods needed) as well as advanced memory with M+ and 3 additional slots. These are just a few of the features that I use.

What make’s this calculator app so special are the Help screens. I have always had a hard time remembering how to use these functions, when I need it.

Help Screen Illustration

These Help screens will explain the formula and will show you the correct input sequence by giving you a typical example to follow. Some of the screens will even display a diagram or picture to help explain the formulas. Accessing these help screens, couldn’t be easier! Just touch and hold your finger on whatever function key you need help with, and a unique screen will slide into view. The information on these help screens make it so easy to understand the math, and use the calculator to its fullest. I have also learned how to incorporate other features into my work just by reading these help screens!

Because this app takes full advantage of the iphone human interface guidelines, using these functions is quite fun! The calculator itself takes on a kind of personality with its various clicks, swipes, rotate zoom and slide in help menus, giving it a very fun and attractive interface. I find that having this app on my iphone makes layout of wainscoting and getting perfect crown molding compound miter angle settings very enjoyable. I find that it’s very convenient to have this tool with me on my iphone because it’s always there when I need it, and offers the help I need to use it. That to me is worth everything.

Features that are cool:

-Compound miter angle math for crown molding and simple protractor conversions for setting  your miter saw

-Standard-metric conversions

-“How many “studs needed layout

-SIN COS TAN features

-Stair RISE/RUN

-“Tape feature” that is a history of calculations for recall purposes

-“Roof Function” calculates material for gable end roof (roof area, # of shingle squares, # of shingle bundles, # of 4x8 sheets, floor plan area)

-Drywall function: calculates number of sheets of drywall, sheathing, or plywood needed

-Hip and Valley rafter layout

-The new stair baluster layout 2.0 version ( I use for wainscoting)

Just to name a few!





My Measures

This is a simple app that allows you to take a picture of something and put labeled measurement right on the picture itself. The interface is really easy to use and allows you to put measurements exactly at the point of reference you need. It can do this by using iphones touch screen ability. You can lable your measurements in American standard lengths and Metric units. You can also change the dimensions into different colors to organize them. This app does not take the measurements, you still need to measure the objects yourself with a tape measure, or laser measuring device. But once you have your measurements you then input them accurately on the picture of that object.

I design a lot of my finish work using Sketchup and this app really helps me to cataloge all my measurements that I take from a jobsite for later use in Sketchup, or for reference. I no longer need to carry a digital camera and a sketch book and compile 2 or 3 forms of measurements- just to complete a drawing. Now I can produce all this info on my iphone using this app in just a few minutes-then I can then export the picture file via email to the architect, designer, contractor, or customer, all from the jobsite and not have to worry about uploading and composing that email at home after work. It saves me a lot of time and establishes better communication between myself (who is on the jobsite) to the other parties who need that information.

Now that I have this technology and use it for business I wonder how I would do with out it... :)

Formal Doric Order Reproduction

At last...This is the job I have been waiting for, a possible once in a life time project...
My buddy Robby Myer, who is opening a new Architectural Millwork super store has invited me to help him design and build his new show room. I just couldn't wait to get started on all the cool details, as well as the chance to work with Rob who is super passionate and knowledgeable about architecture as well as an experienced finish carpenter. I am anxious to learn a few tricks from an expert in design, and millwork as well as show off a few of my own. Rob also has a full shop with industrial wood working tools, and festool line, complete with dust collection to make this project that much more fun!

Over the last week, I have been working with him on the design for the main customer service counter to start, and after a couple days of kicking around many ideas and digging into my favorite book 'Get your house Right" as well as "Traditional American Rooms". We decided to recreate history  as a homage to the ancient Greeks and build a classical Doric Order surround, complete with Fluted columns, Full entablature featuring Tryglyphs and Gutte drops, and a full cornice with custom modillion blocks, and egg and dart supportive crown, and a full pediment. We are using the proper scaling of the Doric order to get all the proportions as close as we can, but at the same time using the available moldings and components that will be stock inventory at the new store. This adds some challenge to the project as well as integrating illuminated icons and logo signs in the "metopes".

Check back for more updates and pictures. I'll have a gallery up on my Picasa of the progress pictures soon and we maybe doing a collaborative article for http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/ but we have LOTS of work to do first...

Pocket Screws + Corrugated Fasteners in MDF (real time)

Here is a video I made today to show the results in MDF face frame assembly using 2 techniques

Pocket Screws & Corrugated Fasteners. I tested the flushness results using an Engineers square and some paper and 120 sand paper sheets. The results were very close.

They both work great and have their place. Take a look!