| Project by Sawdustonmyshoulder | posted 02-18-2009 06:11 AM | 2355 views | 1 time favorited | 8 comments |  |
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Back in March of 2008 I was helping frame a house that a church was giving to a disabled couple. Kind of like a Habitat House except the owners were not going to have a mortgage at the end of the process. This was a gift from the church members. The materials were paid for by church members and with a fund raiser. Most of the labor was donated and labor that was for a fee was also paid by the church. A huge undertaking to say the least. The house took over 2 years to complete because the money had to be raised on faith… they got the money for basic plumbing and slab so they poured. Waited for the money to black in and then they did it. ETC…
I got involved at in the framing stage and asked about the kitchen. The lead man said they would buy the material and I agreed to donated my time. I added another facet to the project and got a Boy Scout involved for his Eagle project. Luke did a fantastic job of rallying the scouts to help. The Scouts were a great help priming sheets of MDF and moving them to and fro.
The Scouts getting a safety briefing after painting the MDF sheets and before rough cutting. (That’s my youngest son texting his friends. I am sure it isn’t about woodworking :-))
Luke (Eagle Scout candiate) and Zake (grandson of homeowners) attach hinges on doors.
Luke clips doors on cabinets while Old Sawdusty adjusts the hinges to fit.
The material is mainly MDF. I did pick out full extension drawer runners and Euro-style hinges. The house is just over 1,000 square feet and the kitchen/laundry area measured around 8 by 15.
The cabinet doors have a routed faux raised panel look. All of the upper units have adjustable shelves and lowers have drawers. The church members finished the cabinets with white paint and brown glazing.
Didn’t like working with MDF but that was not my choice. I would have like to use solid woods but the budget didn’t warrant it.
The project was very rewarding for me and I highly recommend all woodworkers to give a little of their time.
Thanks for reading this far and for looking at this project.
-- Makin' Sawdust!!!
8 comments so far
lightweightladylefty
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2837 posts in 2532 days
#1 posted 02-18-2009 06:38 AM
What a wonderful teaching tool and selfless gift of love! Thanks for sharing.
-- Jesus is the ONLY reason for ANY season.
FlWoodRat
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732 posts in 2728 days
#2 posted 02-18-2009 01:31 PM
Saw,
It’s folks like you that make me proud to be associated with LJ’s. Thank you for sharing your gifts as a woodworker and a provider to those in need.
We are all blessed!
-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....
firecaster
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557 posts in 2238 days
#3 posted 02-18-2009 02:21 PM
Along with helping those in need; thanks for supporting Boy Scouts. I’m a scoutmaster and I see how tough these Eagle projects can be. Boys aren’t always natural leaders but this requirement forces them to learn.
I truly believe we could change this country for the better if more men would get involved helping boys learn the skills they need for life. This could be through scouts or just teaching a hobby like woodworking.
-- Father of two sons. Both Eagle Scouts.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8693 posts in 3119 days
#4 posted 02-18-2009 04:45 PM
A great thing, you helping these boys.
Those boys will have something to be proud, & brag about for a lifetime.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Bob Costello
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68 posts in 2474 days
#5 posted 02-18-2009 05:41 PM
That is impressive on so many levels – helping a family in need, mentoring a young man, volunteering – and not least of all, making inexpensive materials look and perform like something much more costly. These are nice looking cabinets.
LJ’s looking for opportunities to help out might want to look into a great organization that helps low income homeowners, Rebuilding Together. The local RT affiliates are always looking for skilled volunteers. Check out http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/
Thanks for inspiring up all!
-- Bob Costello
Randy Sharp
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355 posts in 2492 days
#6 posted 02-18-2009 05:58 PM
Nice job Marte’. You are, incontragruably, a shining example of community volunteerism.
-- Randy, Tupelo, MS ~ A man who honors his wife will have children who honor their father.
Greg Wurst
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783 posts in 2652 days
#7 posted 02-18-2009 08:27 PM
Excellent work for a worthy cause. Also a great way to teach young kids a valuable skill.
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
Jim Reeves
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202 posts in 1843 days
#8 posted 05-14-2010 10:47 AM
Wow impressive, great job to help a family in need.
As a disabled person , l am greatful when people help me in things l can’t no longer do the family verry lucky for people like you, the church and all who helped and donated time aand funds.
excellent
-- jim
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