Hi All,
A number of years ago when pine furniture was the “in thing”, I was asked to design and build a hall mirror that was not only practical but also visually appealing. After a number of designs I came up with the one you see below. I made dozens and dozens of these mirrors that were sold through a couple of stores in downtown Toronto.

The challenge for me at the time was keeping my costs down while producing a marketable product. I designed this mirror to be made from those inexpensive ($2 each) 12”X12” mirrors that can be found at any big bulk store and a single 1”X10” X6’ pine board. With these two rather inexpensive elements and a few shaker pegs, I was able to keep my costs down while maximizing profits.
At the time I was making these mirrors my mother in law couldn’t stand the look of them but something changed in way of thinking and now she just has to have one, go figure. So why don’t you come along with me and watch how a couple of cheap mirrors and a single pine board can be transformed into something that appealed to many people, now including my mother in law.
This is a 2 part video (part 2 next week), part one deals with design and the construction of the mirror frame itself, part 2 covers the rest of the construction and my favourite finish for smaller pine pieces like this one. I’m going through “growing pains” in this video dealing with video mikes but I promise to have those bugs ironed out before long, your patience is appreciated while I get a handle on this.
You can view part one here, on Blip TV. http://blip.tv/file/688794/ or watch it below, hope you like it.
All the best
Gord
PINE HALL MIRROR (PART 1)
-- Woodworking podcasts and more.... http://gordgraff.blogspot.com/























17 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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7975 posts in 224 days
posted 148 days ago
Thanks for the video, Gord. This was both interesting and informative. I tend to be a better visual learner as opposed absorbing textual information.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
MsDebbieP
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11018 posts in 563 days
posted 148 days ago
bottom 5 3/4” x 31 1/4”
top 3” x 31 1/4”
stiles 3” wide x 11 1/8” long
(did I get those right)?
great video!!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
roman
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387 posts in 296 days
posted 148 days ago
You missed putting in the mirrors ?....<g>
When are you coming to visit?
-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/
Gord Graff
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89 posts in 296 days
posted 148 days ago
Hi All,
Glad you like it, I had fun making it.
Scott: like you, I’m a visual learner
Ms Debbie: you are correct and if you build one, you have to post a picture, promise? If you have any questions, email me, I’ll be happy to help.
Roman: I’ll put in the mirrors next week. LOL. Love to come for a visit, I’ll email you. I have an idea for you also.
All the best
Gord
-- Woodworking podcasts and more.... http://gordgraff.blogspot.com/
Thos. Angle
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3243 posts in 364 days
posted 147 days ago
Thanks Gord. I think you gave me a good idea for a product. It’s always fun to watch someone else work.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
GaryK
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8250 posts in 390 days
posted 147 days ago
Great project and video!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Grant Davis
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267 posts in 310 days
posted 147 days ago
Gord, another very informative video. I never get tired of your posts.
-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"
scottb
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2772 posts in 729 days
posted 147 days ago
a very good and efficient design. I like how you made the end product work with stock materials to minimize, if not totally eliminate waste, while still looking good and not at all off-the-shelf.
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
cajunpen
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5291 posts in 468 days
posted 147 days ago
Good video Gord – I’ll have to add this one to my list of things that I hope to do. Looking forward to the next installment.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Gord Graff
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89 posts in 296 days
posted 147 days ago
Hello All,
Once again, thanks for your kind words and comments.
I’m so happy that some woodworkers have been able to use or apply something that they’ve seen in these videos in thier own workshops.
All the best
Gord
-- Woodworking podcasts and more.... http://gordgraff.blogspot.com/
teenagewoodworker
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1739 posts in 170 days
posted 146 days ago
that looks cool
i didn’t know that you could get mirrors like that at big box stores
i think this will help me to tackle some projects that include mirrors instead of being afraid of them
Bob #2
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1673 posts in 424 days
posted 145 days ago
You are a natural teacher Gord.
I don’t want to take away from all yoiur hard work but these videos are professional quality videos produced at at the woodworkers level.
Good on you- Bravo!
bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Gord Graff
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89 posts in 296 days
posted 144 days ago
Many, many, thanks Bob
Gord Graff
-- Woodworking podcasts and more.... http://gordgraff.blogspot.com/
sandhill
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226 posts in 326 days
posted 143 days ago
I am not a big fan of bisket joinery, dowels or pocket holes but thats just me. I was woundering why you did not go with lap joints? It would seem to be faster by a production stand point? Great job on the video Gord and as allways very good detail. Can’t wait to see part 2
-- Just another day in paradise.
Grumpy
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4025 posts in 253 days
posted 137 days ago
Enjoyed the video Gord. Like you I find the biscuit jointer a very useful tool, it gives you a little bit to play with on the joints which can be very helpful.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
rikkor
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6619 posts in 277 days
posted 137 days ago
Great job. Way to use inexpensive materials to make something of value.
-- Maplewood, MN
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 201 days
posted 133 days ago
GREAT Educational video——please keep them coming I found it very useful !
Thanks
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ