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Pine Hall Mirror Video (Part 1), A Design & Market Challenge.

Blog entry by Gord Graff posted 148 days ago 645 reads 3 times favorited 17 comments Add to Favorites

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/

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Gord Graff

89 posts in 296 days


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17 comments so far

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

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.

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

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)

View roman's profile

roman

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/

View Gord Graff's profile

Gord Graff

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/

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

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

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

8250 posts in 390 days


posted 147 days ago

Great project and video!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Grant Davis's profile

Grant Davis

267 posts in 310 days


posted 147 days ago

Gord, another very informative video. I never get tired of your posts.

-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"

View scottb's profile

scottb

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

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

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/

View Gord Graff's profile

Gord Graff

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/

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

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

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

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

View Gord Graff's profile

Gord Graff

89 posts in 296 days


posted 144 days ago

Many, many, thanks Bob

Gord Graff

-- Woodworking podcasts and more.... http://gordgraff.blogspot.com/

View sandhill's profile

sandhill

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.

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

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

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

6619 posts in 277 days


posted 137 days ago

Great job. Way to use inexpensive materials to make something of value.

-- Maplewood, MN

View Ad Marketing Guy - Bill's profile

Ad Marketing Guy - Bill

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

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