This was a project that I did a few years back, nine to be exact, that took more time than money. I saw a picture of Walt Rose’s ’27 T roadster in the book “The American Hot Rod” when it came out. I knew that I wanted something similar for my roadster pickup. The foundry patterns were made using 1’’ thick poplar, polyester body filler, and 3/8’’ aluminum plate.

I made the posts longer than needed and cut them down a ½’’ to ¼’’ at a time until I was happy with how it looked. Here’s some photos of the process.

For the last few years I’ve been pretty good about not taking on any new personal  projects as I whittle away at the list I currently have. I’ve been making some progress, but last month while in San Diego a friend said I could have this old Kay if I wanted to do something with it. I took a quick look and said “sure, I’ll take it!”  Its a late 50′s Kay model K-161 with a screwed up neck and no hardware. I’ve always wanted to build a neck from scratch but never really had a good reason to do so. Now I do! I want it to look like a guitar Paul Bigsby would have modified.

Last Sunday it didn’t take much to get the finger board off, and the dovetail joint apart. I also made a couple of pick guard patterns. This proved to be a little tricker, trying to hide the existing  holes and still look Bigsbyish. I plan on using a pair of PA1946′s for pickups, the vibrato I had in my parts stash. I’ll post as I make progress so check back from time to time. Here’s some mock up photos. I’m leaning towards mock up #3.

I’ve been getting a few request to do pickguard inlay lately. It’s kind of nice to get a job that I can do while sitting down listening to music. I’m currently on a Bill DeArango kick, great stuff, his rolled off tone and rapid fire guitar solos make me crazy! Anyhow, as for the pickguards, each letter is hand drawn and cut out using an old Delta scroll saw. They’re then carefully traced on to the pickguard and the negative area is cut out for a nice tight fit. The letters are then glued in place, sanded flush, covered with 4 to 5 coats of nitrocellulose lacquer, and rubbed out to a high gloss finish. If you need any inlay work done, contact us for a quote.

TK played around with various shapes of Cutting Boards a while ago. After selling out of the initial run and using them ourselves, he has decided to stick with one simple shape in three sizes. Each board, made of Walnut, is individually Handcrafted by TK. Not only are they practical and easy on your knives, but they look amazingly beautiful stacked up in the kitchen!  We like to think of the small cutting board as a “cocktail” board, perfect for cutting citrus for your favorite drink, the medium, great as a bread board and the large, for the bigger jobs in the kitchen.

We recently gave one as a wedding gift and the recipient said she didn’t want to use it “because it would get scratched up!” We explained that that’s the beauty of it. These boards will last a lifetime and look even better with visable use. Like everyone should, she needs to “feed” the board with food grade mineral oil or a commercial paste once in a while to keep the wood in the best condition, and of course hand wash with soapy water, never in the dishwasher.

TK’s cutting boards will be available for sale soon on this site, as well in various retail outlets. Feel free to contact us for info. Also, while relaxing over the long holiday weekend, check out our House Tour over at Alice in Designland. Thanks Dia!

Back from England and finishing up a fabrication job lasting a few more weeks.

When we originally talked about our Lifetime Doormat, we shared a version that was made for a double door. This time, the client wanted a doormat custom made to fit in a recessed area to create a seamless entry. The patio is made of  bricks, but this application could be used with any surrounding material. Sand and debris will fall below the mat and it can be removed for periodic cleaning underneath. They will never purchase a doormat again!

I love it when a client gives me the freedom to design and fabricate an object from a vague idea in their mind. What was needed was access to a sleeping deck on the rooftop of an amazing desert home. The architect on the project mentioned “kiva ladder”. In ancient Pueblo architecture, this meant a ladder whose poles extend well above a flat rooftop. Here’s what I came up with.

On our way in to L.A. last week for a job, we stopped by our old house to snap some quick photos of a gate TK made a few years back. We didn’t get many pictures of the gate at the time, or any of the work we did before we sold the house. Walking up, we didn’t  know what to expect but it turns out that the people who purchased the house from us still live there, and seem to take allot of pride in what we left behind.

The gate was made in three sections, two fixed and one that swings. Made from recycled pipe that was cut into rings and welded together, each section was then galvanized and put into place. The gate has held up nicely over the years. Three of the photos are of the entrance to the house and the other is to a side yard.

We finally had a chance to head down to the Santa Ana Arts District to visit our friends Marta and Davin Gumm at their most recent creation, The Copper Door. After spending the last three years successfully building up Number Nine Noodles and Beer in Long Beach, they were ready for a new challenge. Never ones to do things in a small way, they actually bought the historic Pacific Building that houses their new venture in the basement. They’re still working on getting the building ready for new tenants but the Copper Door is now open!

After TK worked with them in fabricating the clean, sparse furniture and fixtures at Number Nine, this time Marta and Davin designed a gathering spot with allot of warmth and texture. They told TK that they wanted a large slab of wood as a table in the center of the bar. What he designed and fabricated was a 30 ft. communal table with benches milled in Idylwild, CA. from a fallen ponderosa pine. To visually support something this large, he created bases made of hot rolled steel angle and flat stock welded together to make cages. The cages were bolted to the floor and filled with 4-6″ river rock. The end result adds a nice weighty centerpiece to the room. TK also fabricated the bar stools, wall sconces and two 14′ bars that are attached to the wall on one end and surround the support beams in the center of the room, all made of rough cut pine.

Everyone else that worked with their contractor did a beautiful job of creating a space that turned out to be one of the best bars we’ve ever had the pleasure of working or drinking in! If you’re in the area, definitely stop by to enjoy the surroundings, sample the great selection of Belgian and German beers on tap, and on many nights, live music . You can keep up with them on facebook here.

We have a lot going on and nothing ready to photograph! Just thought we’d throw up a few shots from the past few weeks in our world. Check back soon for final photos