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Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 17:11
by Pinch
Hello chaps, 8-)

It’s been a while since I’ve posted up any work. I’ve been very busy with various natures of work and I will be posting up a quirky little desk sometime soon, but before that, I was approached by an existing client just before Christmas to design, make and install a large bookcase and adjoining folding doors. This job also came with a strict deadline to meet – gulp! Plus... the client recently moved and now lives 97 miles from my workshop!

Below are two photos my client sent to me before I travelled up to see the room for the first time. The wall behind the chap in the photo is where the bookcase is to go, with the opening from dining room-to-living room to be partitioned with folding doors.

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There were also some approximate dimensions included and from this, I prepared the drawing work and estimated a price. All was approved and so I travelled up to survey the actual work and confirm the price. I took my 6’ spirit level with me to check the levels & plumbs, only to find the ceiling over the length of the 3.7M bookcase was roughly 40mm out of level and the floor was 50mm out of level in the opposite direction to the ceiling. The walls were reasonably plumb although slightly concaved. The existing door opening wasn’t too bad, with a new door lining to be made in place of the existing framework. After the survey, I bumped the price up a bit and prepared a firm quote.

I had to fully focus and totally commit myself to this project with the scheduled timescale, so after taking delivery of all the materials/ironmongery etc, I started the work on 16th January. Including the making, applying the finish and site installation, the work was completed in 24 days with only 3 days break and within the deadline.

Here is the drawing work - all pretty much self-explanatory.

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IN THE WORKSHOP

Now on with the making... I didn’t take too many ‘WIP shots’, but a straight forward construction. The flush doors for the bookcase were quite involved and I bought in the folding doors as four single standard four panelled Victorian doors.

First up, I made the bulk of the new door lining and set this up in the workshop to hang all four doors. As I had measurements/tolerances to work to and the doors were standard sizes, I removed about 12mm from each door side in order to hang them into the lining. I also made up a surface moulding to cover the door joints on the dining room side, which was to reduce potential noise travel and visuals from room-to-room - and they look very smart.

Here you can see the doors fitted with all ironmongery also fitted.

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The idea is to have a single door which can be used daily like any other single door for quick access from the living room to the kitchen or visa-versa.

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Then disassembled with all ironmongery removed ready for the finishing schedule.

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Here is the architrave profiled to a large ‘scotia’ detail – 70mm down the sides and 95mm over the heads.

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On with the large bookcase...

I made the floor cabinets as two separate units each measuring 1.8M in length, plus the scribe cheeks to allow for the tolerances.

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The bookcases are four separate pieces each measuring 900mm, plus the scribe cheeks to the outer cases. Here is the far right hand case – all with inlaid adjustable shelf strips. The longer pieces of timber in the photo below are the cabinet’s top surface, pelmet and plinth. I’ve also profiled the pelmet and plinth to match the door’s architrave.

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Below was a trial run to see how the bookcase sits on the floor cabinet – all was great.

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The next series of photos show everything all finished and ready for site delivery, including tools. As I don’t own a van anymore, I hired a van for the day to deliver everything and I had to hire an XLWB so the long pieces would fit - they only just did!

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All the tools for the installation are ready to go...

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NOW ON SITE

BEFORE -

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AFTER - finished and fully installed.

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This junction was the datum point for the whole project and it worked an absolute treat.

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This was quite a project to work with the timescale, tolerances, sheer size & travelling. I am very pleased with the final results - client's are elated! They have another project for me.

Thanks for reading and I welcome any questions or comments.

Cheers.
8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 17:22
by Mike G
Nice to see you back, Paul. That project hasn't tested your skills too much, although it may have tested your logistics! Were the flush doors so that there were no handles or raised panels to bash with the bi-fold doors?

That looks like a London basement conversion to me, with a roof-lit extension. Hope the parking wasn't too ridiculous.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 17:38
by Malc2098
Stonkingly nice job, Paul!

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 17:44
by wallace
I likes it, The finish is nice, looks for expensive than pine

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 18:45
by Woodbloke
Malc2098 wrote:Stonkingly nice job, Paul!


Wot Malc said :text-bravo: - Rob

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 09 Feb 2018, 23:14
by TrimTheKing
Nice work mate, and Happy Birthday! ;)

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 01:07
by DaveL
Yes well done, the thought of getting there and finding a tool missing from the box would have been a worry for me.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:12
by Pinch
Mike G wrote:Nice to see you back, Paul. That project hasn't tested your skills too much, although it may have tested your logistics! Were the flush doors so that there were no handles or raised panels to bash with the bi-fold doors?

That looks like a London basement conversion to me, with a roof-lit extension. Hope the parking wasn't too ridiculous.


Thanks Mike 8-)

Yes the logistics were slightly challenging, especially when applying the finish in the workshop with almost 100 separate pieces of wood to organise and varnish. Once everything was organised and ready to go the night before delivery, loading up the van wasn't too bad, but I was concerned about the other end as (well guessed) parking was potentially a nightmare. Fortunately, the client took the day off and organised his end and he helped me unload the van, so it was a smooth operation.

The flush doors with push-release catches was my initial thought and once put forward in the design to the clients, they liked the idea and stuck with it. The property is a gorgeous terraced house in Berkshire not far from London.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:13
by Pinch
Malc2098 wrote:Stonkingly nice job, Paul!


Thanks Malc. 8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:15
by Pinch
wallace wrote:I likes it, The finish is nice, looks for expensive than pine


Thanks Wallace 8-)

The finish was an experiment which fortunately paid off - Ronseal Light Oak & Antique Pine mixed. I used almost 7 litres.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:15
by Pinch
Woodbloke wrote:
Malc2098 wrote:Stonkingly nice job, Paul!


Wot Malc said :text-bravo: - Rob


Thanks Rob. 8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:18
by Pinch
TrimTheKing wrote:Nice work mate, and Happy Birthday! ;)

Cheers
Mark


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro


Thanks Markus. 8-)

Ah ha! Yes, cheers! Another year notched on the belt. We had a nice relaxing day yesterday and we're out to lunch in Bournemouth with my middle daughter and her bloke today - nice.

:obscene-drinkingcheers:

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 10:22
by Pinch
DaveL wrote:Yes well done, the thought of getting there and finding a tool missing from the box would have been a worry for me.


Thanks Dave. 8-)

Yes, it's happened to me before and it's very annoying. I've been travelling to a job and almost there when I've suddenly realised I've forgotten a particular tool. I tend to start making a site list halfway through the build in the workshop and take more than I need. I was okay this time.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 11:36
by Andyp
And there's me thinking that you have been twiddling your thumbs.

Nice touch with the windows above the doors (transoms?). My father has them in nearly every room in his bungalow. A feature that should be included more often in modern builds where external windows are kept to a minimum and interior light is often awful.

I think it is a shame the cupboard doors do not match the bifold doors.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 10 Feb 2018, 11:49
by Rod
Nice work (as usual) Paul.
Forgetting tools even when it’s only a short distances is always a pain.
My daughter’s live in our village but their hubbies are DIY useless and have very few tools. I’m always going backwards and forwards for stuff I thought I wouldn’t need!

Rod

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 00:17
by Woodbloke
Pinch wrote:
Yes, it's happened to me before and it's very annoying. I've been travelling to a job and almost there when I've suddenly realised I've forgotten a particular tool.

This sort of thing happened to me years ago. I was fitting an 8m long breakfast bar thingie for 'The Pet Shop Boys' (!!) and I'd forgotten to pack one particular router cutter, which meant that the boss had to make a special trip (all of a forty mile journey) give it to me...he laid into me as though I were a five year old and I was tempted severially to tell him there and then take his job and shove it painfully where router cutters don't cut. I didn't as it happens, but left his employ (thankfully) shortly afterwards - Rob

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 00:32
by Robert
Andyp wrote:Nice touch with the windows above the doors.


And there's me thinking the only thing on the whole job I don't like is the windows above the doors :)

Very nice Paul.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 07:54
by Phil
Very nice Paul.
:eusa-clap: :eusa-clap:


Would not have thought pine could look so good.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 16:13
by Pinch
Andyp wrote:And there's me thinking that you have been twiddling your thumbs.

Nice touch with the windows above the doors (transoms?). My father has them in nearly every room in his bungalow. A feature that should be included more often in modern builds where external windows are kept to a minimum and interior light is often awful.

I think it is a shame the cupboard doors do not match the bifold doors.


Thanks Andy 8-)

I've done a little bit of thumb twiddling, but that's not unusual for an airhead like me. This job has sort of kick started me into refocusing on work again and as my energy levels are much better now, all is great at the moment.

Yes that's it - transoms. Glass panels above doors were widely used during the 60's and 70's I believe and they're especially good for distributing light from one room to the other, although a bit annoying in the bedroom when somebody switches on the landing light.

Although I like the flush doors in the bookcase, I agree, a panelled door would have been more apt maybe, but I had a budget to work to.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 16:14
by Pinch
Rod wrote:Nice work (as usual) Paul.
Forgetting tools even when it’s only a short distances is always a pain.
My daughter’s live in our village but their hubbies are DIY useless and have very few tools. I’m always going backwards and forwards for stuff I thought I wouldn’t need!

Rod


Thanks Rod 8-)

Yes very annoying. It sounds like it's a good job your daughters have you close by. 8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 16:20
by Pinch
Woodbloke wrote:
Pinch wrote:
Yes, it's happened to me before and it's very annoying. I've been travelling to a job and almost there when I've suddenly realised I've forgotten a particular tool.

This sort of thing happened to me years ago. I was fitting an 8m long breakfast bar thingie for 'The Pet Shop Boys' (!!) and I'd forgotten to pack one particular router cutter, which meant that the boss had to make a special trip (all of a forty mile journey) give it to me...he laid into me as though I were a five year old and I was tempted severially to tell him there and then take his job and shove it painfully where router cutters don't cut. I didn't as it happens, but left his employ (thankfully) shortly afterwards - Rob


Good on you Rob! Darn cheek of the man. I can't stand people like that and it's so unnecessary.

It must have been a high end job for a group like the Pet Shop Boys. 8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 16:21
by Pinch
Robert wrote:
Andyp wrote:Nice touch with the windows above the doors.


And there's me thinking the only thing on the whole job I don't like is the windows above the doors :)

Very nice Paul.


Thanks Robert 8-)

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 11 Feb 2018, 16:22
by Pinch
Phil wrote:Very nice Paul.
:eusa-clap: :eusa-clap:


Would not have thought pine could look so good.


Thanks Phil 8-)

Yes, it's a lovely colour and finish.

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 16 Feb 2018, 00:39
by Jimmy Mack
Tidy job as ever. Good to see thee has been busy

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

Re: Large Fitted Bookcase & Folding Doors - FINISHED

PostPosted: 19 Feb 2018, 09:21
by Pinch
Jimmy Mack wrote:Tidy job as ever. Good to see thee has been busy

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk


Thanks Jim. yep, this job was full-on. Work is ticking over nicely at the moment. 8-)