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Cooper Entry Closet

Project by Todd A. Clippinger posted 657 days ago 1748 views 13 times favorited 43 comments Add to Favorites Watch

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.

Bending Handle

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.

Closet Open

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


43 comments so far

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1675 posts in 984 days


posted 657 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

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9521 posts in 883 days


posted 657 days ago

Looks like art to me! Fantastic job Todd.

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

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14922 posts in 745 days


posted 657 days ago

Wow

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Blake's profile

Blake

2756 posts in 769 days


posted 657 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.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5968 posts in 960 days


posted 657 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/

View Roz's profile

Roz

461 posts in 681 days


posted 657 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."

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 769 days


posted 657 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.

View shaun's profile

shaun

360 posts in 800 days


posted 657 days ago

Man I love this closet!

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1055 days


posted 657 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..

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

953 posts in 668 days


posted 657 days ago

Very nicely done Todd, looks fantastic!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

View Critterman's profile

Critterman

546 posts in 704 days


posted 657 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

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7634 posts in 1113 days


posted 657 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"

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1295 days


posted 657 days ago

Well Todd, a woodworking artist. What more could be said. Well lots really.

Fantastic, cool, inventive

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 657 days ago

The Cooper’s thought the jig made a good abstract piece.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Russel's profile (online now)

Russel

2057 posts in 834 days


posted 657 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.

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4013 posts in 857 days


posted 657 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

View Peter O's profile

Peter O

1021 posts in 769 days


posted 657 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.

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

View sjdickey's profile

sjdickey

64 posts in 693 days


posted 657 days ago

Wow is darned near an understatement. Beautiful work.

View Tomcat1066's profile

Tomcat1066

776 posts in 690 days


posted 657 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!

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 657 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

View Scott Bryan's profile (online now)

Scott Bryan

20653 posts in 716 days


posted 657 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.

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 657 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

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3789 posts in 1209 days


posted 657 days ago

The real question becomes…are you going to be able to top this one? Great job Todd!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 657 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

View Muzhik's profile

Muzhik

128 posts in 1033 days


posted 657 days ago

Incredible! I notice you made a detail shot of the handle the background for your website main page. It looks awesome.

View dustynewt's profile

dustynewt

447 posts in 757 days


posted 657 days ago

As always, I am in awe. The more I see it the more it draws me back. Thanks for sharing.

-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 657 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

View Gustav's profile

Gustav

26 posts in 682 days


posted 656 days ago

Perfect

-- I can build us one.

View Patrick Jaromin's profile

Patrick Jaromin

285 posts in 727 days


posted 656 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 http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5642 posts in 994 days


posted 656 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

View Bob A in NJ's profile

Bob A in NJ

522 posts in 893 days


posted 655 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

View RobG's profile

RobG

71 posts in 716 days


posted 655 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

View Rob McCune's profile

Rob McCune

122 posts in 993 days


posted 655 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

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

948 posts in 776 days


posted 655 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

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7036 posts in 1194 days


posted 655 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.

-- -** 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

View canadacooler's profile

canadacooler

46 posts in 775 days


posted 654 days ago

wow i’m impressed beautiful design and craftmanship and looks so clean. Nice work Todd

-- islandworkshop

View techchris's profile

techchris

3 posts in 732 days


posted 609 days ago

That’s pure beauty.

View Woodshopfreak's profile

Woodshopfreak

390 posts in 637 days


posted 573 days ago

That is truly amazing. Great work. Love the colors and the style. Awesome peice

-- Tyler, Illinois

View Russel's profile (online now)

Russel

2057 posts in 834 days


posted 573 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.

View Andy's profile

Andy

570 posts in 803 days


posted 567 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.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View mlfdfire's profile

mlfdfire

10 posts in 564 days


posted 559 days ago

really nice job on the closet; I really like the handles

View mcoyfrog's profile

mcoyfrog

809 posts in 489 days


posted 455 days ago

Yup pure art is right, fantabulous…

-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug

View Kindlingmaker's profile

Kindlingmaker

1470 posts in 421 days


posted 228 days ago

WOW ! A really big WOW !

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

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