| Project by Todd A. Clippinger | posted 205 days ago | 800 views | 8 times favorited | 42 comments | ![]() |
It’s Pure Art!
That was the comment the client made when this project was finally installed.
It was a long journey and technically harder than a person would realize (myself included) until you got into it. My brother’s comment at one point was,”You’re neck deep in an alligator brother.”
The doors are hollow core and finished off with maple pommele and bamboo veneer treated with dye colors. The finish is Sherwin Williams pre-cat high build lacquer T77-F57.
The handle is a solid copper rod that I made a jig to bend. This was my first attempt at something like this and it worked out well. The copper is brushed and finished with a Sherwin solvent based acrylic finish.
The overall dimension is 9’ high x 4’ 6” wide. The doors are 8’ high. The big door is 37” wide and the narrow door is 14” wide. This asymmetrical door pattern adds visual interest but is practical as well. The big door opens to the wall and the small door takes up less space as it opens in the area of the foyer where people tend to stand.
The interior is all black lacquer and has lots of storage.
New lighting was installed in the ceiling to illuminate this piece.
When viewed from the side, it plays off of the big mirror on the wall with the double image.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
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42 comments so far
gizmodyne
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1476 posts in 532 days
posted 205 days ago
I don’t get tired of looking at this Todd. I bet they are very happy. Your dedication and follow-through were amazing on this project. Plus you got to try out the hardware.
Great work! It is art.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
GaryK
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8401 posts in 431 days
posted 205 days ago
Looks like art to me! Fantastic job Todd.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Grumpy
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4802 posts in 293 days
posted 205 days ago
Wow
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Blake
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1874 posts in 317 days
posted 205 days ago
I’ve been following the journey. I’m glad you could finally post it to your “projects” and I bet you are too. It’s beautiful.
-- Dust collectors suck.
cajunpen
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5352 posts in 508 days
posted 205 days ago
Todd, this is just as beautiful as it was the first time. I bet you are really happy that you finished it – especially to the customer’s satisfaction. Great workmanship – hope YOU got your right change for it, I know the client got a great piece of functional art.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Roz
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255 posts in 229 days
posted 205 days ago
Man, you have taken this craft to an entirely new level. You are a true artist. great job.
-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."
rikkor
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7112 posts in 317 days
posted 205 days ago
I don’t have words enough to describe it. Awe inspiring comes to mind, but falls short. You are an artist as well as a craftsman Todd.
-- Maplewood, MN
shaun
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360 posts in 348 days
posted 205 days ago
Man I love this closet!
-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!
MsDebbieP
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11555 posts in 603 days
posted 205 days ago
and your photos are art as well.
I was trying to envision the view from the hall—you’d see the two mirrors and then the silver handle …it would basically disappear until you got in front of it and then BAM …. wow..
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Les Hastings
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405 posts in 216 days
posted 205 days ago
Very nicely done Todd, looks fantastic!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
Critterman
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452 posts in 252 days
posted 205 days ago
Likewise, I never get tired of seeing pics of this, it is amazing. Of all the great accomplishments this ranks up a the top. Great work Todd.
-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA
CharlieM1958
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3965 posts in 661 days
posted 205 days ago
Wow, just building that bending jig looks like a bigger task than I would want to take on! Another beautiful project, Todd!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Karson
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12617 posts in 843 days
posted 205 days ago
Well Todd, a woodworking artist. What more could be said. Well lots really.
Fantastic, cool, inventive
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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2528 posts in 542 days
posted 205 days ago
The Cooper’s thought the jig made a good abstract piece.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Russel
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1214 posts in 381 days
posted 205 days ago
After watching this project and others here, I’m learning the value of quality jigs and templates. The only word for this is beautiful. An example of quality craftsmanship.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Thos. Angle
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3243 posts in 405 days
posted 205 days ago
I’ve already said a bunch about this project but it’s never enough. It still fascinates me and I don’t get tired of looking at it. I doubt the Coopers will either. Strangely enough, it gives the impression of how much effort went into it and yet achieves the intended look of simplicity. A truly great design and execution.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Peter O
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622 posts in 317 days
posted 205 days ago
Todd, the other guys got here first and said it all! This is absolutely beautiful. I’m really impressed with your outside-the-box thinking on materials … if I wanted silver handles, I’d probably never consider copper, but of course it is perfect, since it is both strong and easy to form.
-- What exactly is "The Move" and who are you calling a "Quirky Jerk"? -- http://www.north40custom.com
sjdickey
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63 posts in 241 days
posted 205 days ago
Wow is darned near an understatement. Beautiful work.
Tomcat1066
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556 posts in 238 days
posted 205 days ago
eh, it’s OK I guess…
...who the heck am I kidding? Great job man!
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
Todd A. Clippinger
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2528 posts in 542 days
posted 205 days ago
Ironic that all of my best projects were made in my brother’s shop instead of my own.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Scott Bryan
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8490 posts in 264 days
posted 205 days ago
Todd,
That is an outstanding piece. I am sure that your brother doesn’t mind his shop being used to produce work of this quality.
Great Job.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
2528 posts in 542 days
posted 205 days ago
We have memories of some great projects coming out of his shop. Now I want to see that out of my own shop.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
dennis mitchell
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2913 posts in 757 days
posted 205 days ago
The real question becomes…are you going to be able to top this one? Great job Todd!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
2528 posts in 542 days
posted 205 days ago
Dennis, I thought about that. I’m sure that I can if someone pays me. I can’t afford to build these projects on my dollar!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Muzhik
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106 posts in 581 days
posted 205 days ago
Incredible! I notice you made a detail shot of the handle the background for your website main page. It looks awesome.
dustynewt
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323 posts in 305 days
posted 204 days ago
As always, I am in awe. The more I see it the more it draws me back. Thanks for sharing.
-- http://dustynewt.webs.com/
Todd A. Clippinger
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2528 posts in 542 days
posted 204 days ago
The detail shots are great. I had to do something with one of them. The iridescence of the color and finish make it difficult to capture the detail of the surface unless it is a close-up shot.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Gustav
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26 posts in 230 days
posted 204 days ago
Perfect
-- I can build us one.
Patrick Jaromin
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200 posts in 275 days
posted 204 days ago
Wow…just wow. Seeing projects like this one is a primary reason I’m addicted to this site. After viewing pieces like this, there’s very little chance I’ll ever think I’ve gotten “good enough”. Todd, you make beautiful stuff.
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com
Todd A. Clippinger
home | projects | blog
2528 posts in 542 days
posted 204 days ago
Patrick, my goal is just to share and encourage others to take a chance in pushing their skills to the next level. Almost everything is a “first time” project for me. The safe projects are the Shaker style benches and simple tables, but there is so much more to do and challenge yourself with.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Bob A in NJ
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303 posts in 441 days
posted 203 days ago
Todd, Another fantastic project and work of art. You keep raising the bar for the rest of us. Excellent!!
-- Bob A in NJ
RobG
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72 posts in 264 days
posted 203 days ago
Wow !!! Hope the wife doesn’t see that!!! Great Work.
-- Woodworking is Life. Anything before or after is just waiting.--S. McQueen sort of
Rob McCune
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120 posts in 541 days
posted 203 days ago
Todd, there is definitely a touch of artistry in your work that we can all apreciate. The Cooper’s are pretty lucky to have you as their personal craftsman.
-- Rob McCune
SPalm
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702 posts in 324 days
posted 203 days ago
Todd, you are the Man. I have been watching this progress with amazement. I like your style, and your attitude has been a real insperation to me.
Very fine Sir,
Steve
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Dick Cain
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4809 posts in 742 days
posted 203 days ago
Todd,
You sure have the eye for creating artistically inspirational things.
I’ll bet a lot of people hate to leave this beautiful entrance, it must get a little crowded.
-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
canadacooler
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45 posts in 323 days
posted 202 days ago
wow i’m impressed beautiful design and craftmanship and looks so clean. Nice work Todd
-- islandworkshop
techchris
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3 posts in 280 days
posted 157 days ago
That’s pure beauty.
Woodshopfreak
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329 posts in 185 days
posted 121 days ago
That is truly amazing. Great work. Love the colors and the style. Awesome peice
-- Tyler, Illinois
Russel
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1214 posts in 381 days
posted 121 days ago
This pops to the top periodically and I always have to look. It is such a beautiful piece of work that another look is always worth the while.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
Andy
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296 posts in 351 days
posted 115 days ago
Truly a great piece of craftsmanship.I am drawn to the shapes dispayed through the use of contrasting colors as well as materials.Well done.
-- " Stubborn tenacity substitutes for natural ability" ANDY
mlfdfire
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10 posts in 112 days
posted 107 days ago
really nice job on the closet; I really like the handles
mcoyfrog
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192 posts in 37 days
posted 3 days ago
Yup pure art is right, fantabulous…
-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day all Dug