New sticker...get some.

New black on white 4.25" x 2.75" stickers will be here in a few weeks. Want a couple? Drop me your snail mail here ----> info AT factoriifab DOT com

Haiku - "Yes...Good Day" - The triumphant return of "JG!"

"Yes, good day, Terry!"


Today was quite the productive and prosperous undertaking. Terry and I managed to demo what was-to-be the original counter substrate yesterday and build all the carcases for new cabinetry today. One 8' carcase and two at 42". The spaces in between will house a 4' reach-in cooler for the sushi chefs. Terry will be trimming all the faces in 3/4" x 1 1/2" red oak tomorrow.

But...and "listen to me now..."

This progress wouldn't have happened today if it weren't for Terry suggesting we "bring JG onto the job." JG is our trusty jobsite Craftsman table saw. Earlier in the year at the London Underground in Ames, we found JG next to an empty Miller Lite keg in the basement one morning. Yeah, he may have had a few pints the night before, but he performed like a champ that day.

Funny, JG is just where you'd expect to find him - bellied up to the bar. Too bad nobody told him the Miller guy has yet to drop off any inventory... GOOD DAY!

Haiku - booth installation...many days

Here's the progress of the Haiku built-ins after a week's worth of installation work. 2x4 frame construction with true 4/4 solid white oak. I spent the good part of Christmas Eve staining the entire build a water-based "Espresso" stain with Terry's HVLP gun. Initially, the plan was to have only a clear polyurethane topcoat - then the chairs and tables arrived. Both are finished dark. Very dark.

The booth runs are 20' and 30', respectively. Hopefully Haiku will be open within the month. Sushi anyone?

Haiku - booth construction, day 3

Lots and lots of glue-ups...

Haiku - booth construction, day 2

We be jammin'...

Frames are done and we moved on to some sizable glue-ups.

Haiku - booth construction, day 1

Here's a side view drawing of what is going to be 50'+ of seating for a new restaurant by the name of Haiku on the Drake campus. Plywood? Hell no. The backrests and seats on this installation will be solid 5/4 white oak.
















Bob and I tore through over 200 bf in the planer with a couple of passes on table saw as well for preparation of glue-ups tomorrow. 2x4 frame construction 16" on center is probably overkill on something like this, but that's the way I want it. Besides, who's to tell me I'm wrong? I've been accused of over-engineering before...and I honestly don't mind it.

Gabriel's platform bed - video footage

la cama from Gabriel Saenz on Vimeo.

Thanks, Gabriel!!!

Hohanshelt Residence railing for Gardner Homes

Unfortunately, I forgot my Canon today - so we have to settle for cell pics. I really wish I would've had a real camera, because the cell phone doesn't do these rails justice. I'm thrilled with how they turned out. The silver looks so clean on the horizontals against the maple - VERY modern indeed! THANK YOU to everyone at Miller's Custom Powder Coating, especially Brian and J.J. - I really appreciate the FAST turnaround! Installation couldn't have gone any easier either. The spacing between of the 1/4" flanges was perfectly fitted between the newel posts.

Enjoy your new home, Family Hohanshelt!

A BIG thanks to Matt Gardner of Gardner Homes for taking a chance...means a lot.

Cheers,
Boonie

Railing for Gardner Homes

These rails were finished up today for Gardner Homes of Ankeny, IA. 1 1/2" sq. tube rails and posts coupled with 3/4" round horizontals. The biggest challenge was making sure the 1/4" x 2" flat bar that acted as the flanges that the horizontals terminated into, remained exactly plumb against the bottom newel posts and the trim build-outs at the top of each set of railing. The other challenge was getting the bottom horizontal as close to the noses as possible due to the tread heights and runs being at their maximum making the IRC 6" rule tough to obtain. They're there...but just barely.

These will be powder-coated Bengal silver for a finish. Installation pics next week.

Colombian church pew

As I pointed out in some recent posts, Gabriel Saenz's mother and stepfather both work in the trades in Colombia as a carpenter and steel fabricator, respectively. With my limited knowledge of Catholic furniture, I'm betting these pews are just that with the permanent knee rest on the backside. No padding? Hmm... sadistic indeed. Must be a tough monsignor...

Looks like steel framing with wood seats and backrests. Gabriel says they built 34 pews in total. Nice. Thanks for passing on the fine work from south of the equator...

Gabriel's platform bed - delivered and assembled

Here's the final product in the fabrication process of Gabriel Saenz's platform bed. As you see above, the second photo is of the production bed this commission was based on. The feet have a little more of a sharper bevel on them and the headboard is flush with the side rails, but those are about the only differences. Oh, that, and the fact that the Factor II Fab build is ACTUAL WOOD, not particle board with some veneer glued to it.

Thanks again, Gabriel.

Screwed

I happened upon these yesterday at Lowe's. They were marked down to $7 due to them being "special order - returned." These should be on every shelf in every big-box and ma & pa store around. I hate having to use crappy, flathead decking screws on projects. Why is it SO HARD to find a legitimate Philips panhead wood screw like this? These totally RULE! I need to go back and buy the rest of them.

Large head wood pans forever!!!

Gabriel's platform bed - final fabrication

Well, fabrication is finally complete on Gabriel's platform bed. Today I finished by cutting some notches in the rail cleats with a corresponding rabbet on the end of each bed slat that will fit inside each notch. The slats will then have some thin OSB laid on them to further support the mattress with there being no box spring.

The feet were fastened today as well with some 1" dowel joints. A 3" length was glued in corresponding 1 1/2" deep holes in both the rails and feet. A couple of coats of Varathane and...done.

Thanks so much, Gabriel!! This was a lot of fun to build. I can't wait to see it assembled and shot by a professional photographer like yourself.

Cheers, mate.

T-Shirt designs...One of the three, please...

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2

3

Okay, here's your chance to have some input. You can cast your vote here, or on the FIIF Facebook page. The first run will be 20 shirts. I'll do more if there's enough of a demand for 'em. Gonna be affordable: $10 for white on black 100% preshrunk cotton. $4 shipping within US.

I'll entertain "write-in" ballots if you have drawings...post 'em on the Facebook wall.

Gabriel's platform bed - headboard assembly

Too tired to explain everything...it should be done this week though. Hoping to get to polyurethane tomorrow.

Gabriel's platform bed - headboard dadoes

Straight edge, circular saw and a chisel equals some dadoes for the headboard to slide into. Getting closer!