FAQ's
I’m interested in having a custom-built project for my
home. What is the first step in the process?
What happens at the consultation?
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First, we will discuss what you want and need from your project. Many
times, clients are not exactly sure what they want simply because they
don’t know what is available. I will guide you through all of your options
and give you some ideas that you may not have considered. Pictures of
similar items are very helpful but don’t limit yourself to what you find
in catalogs or stores. Perhaps you will develop some ideas while looking
through my website. By
the end of our appointment, I will have a good idea of what you are
looking for and we will agree on a budget amount for the project.
Do you deliver?
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I will personally deliver your piece within a 150 mile radius of
Pittsburgh, PA. Outside 150 miles, depending on the item, I will
personally deliver it or use one of the common carries for shipping.
Shipping charges around metropolitan Pittsburgh are included.
Charges outside Pittsburgh are based on the size, weight and and
distance and so must be determined when the piece is finished. If
you prefer, you can pick up your piece at my shop.
How do I know if I am getting the best value?
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You must do your homework. Learn how to identify quality work. Get
references from previous Dove Tail Wood clients. It is important to
determine your budget. By shopping in retail stores for similar items, you
can get some idea of prices, however, you should anticipate that a custom
project may cost up to twice as much as a similar store bought item.
Custom work is not mass-produced and simply can’t be done as cheaply. The
reality is that a quality custom woodworker produces items that are much
better quality than store bought items. Even at twice the price, custom
woodworking can be a better value.
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"It is unwise to pay too much...but it is worse to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you lose a little money... and that's all.
When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because
the thing you bought was incapable of doing what it was supposed to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting
a lot... it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well
to add
something for the risk you will run, and if you do that, you will have
enough
to pay for something better."
....John Ruskin 1819-1900
What is “fuming”?
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Ammonia fuming is a process for darkening and richening the color of
wood by changing the chemistry of the timber's pigments. The traditional
method of finishing oak in the Mission or Arts & Crafts style required
exposing the wood to very* strong ammonia fumes in an airtight chamber. The
fumes color the glassy ray fleck cells as well as the softer wood,
establishing an even tone throughout the wood.
Woods that contain tannins are good candidates for ammonia fuming. The
tannins in the wood react with ammonia to give a rich color that ranges
from caramel to dark chocolate depending upon the duration of exposure.
The remainder of the finishing process brings out beautiful natural
variations in the color of the wood (Mission
Side Table). This finish cannot be achieved
with any other process.
*Household ammonia (1% concentration) can be used for fuming,
but the process takes much longer. I use 26% concentration
which is very dangerous if not handled properly including working in a well
ventilated area while wearing a respirator and protective clothing. I
do
not recommend this process to amateur woodworkers.
What products do you use to finish my project?
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There are many options for finishing a project. My standard
finish includes dyes, wiping stains, sealers and lacquer.
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Dyes and stains used together produce a much deeper color (and
darker if preferred) without "muddying" the finish. Grain patterns
remain visible and can be highlighted if desired. I generally mix
my own dyes and stains to attain a color that I am trying to match.
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Glazes highlight the pores and grain patterns. This step is
commonly used in Mission or Arts & Crafts pieces. Glazes can also
be used to "antique" a project.
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Oil and/or shellac finishes are be beautiful when properly applied
but are limited in durability so should only be used where appropriate
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I do not use polyurethane, ever. In my opinion, it makes the
wood look like it has a layer of plastic on it.
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I do not use paint...because I hate to paint
What is your lead-time for my project?
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Lead times vary based on the amount of work in the shop and the
complexity of your project. I am very up front about lead times and will
work with you to complete the project on time. I will not
commit to a deadline if I can’t complete the project on time, nor will I
sacrifice quality to squeeze a project into the schedule.
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