| Project by Bob Babcock | posted 829 days ago | 3081 views | 3 times favorited | 61 comments | ![]() |
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Hello All,
I built these gates for my brothers vacation home on Maui. He lets me use it pretty much whenever I want so I figured I needed to show my appreciation. I really liked working with the Lyptus, easy to machine and a beautiful wood.
Regards,
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org






























61 comments so far
scottb
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3341 posts in 1078 days
posted 829 days ago
I like your profile picture, and I love those gates…. What a nice thank you to your brother.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Chip
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1058 posts in 844 days
posted 829 days ago
Just beautiful Bob. And the little lizard detail is terrific. These are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.
BassBully
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251 posts in 848 days
posted 829 days ago
That’s very clever. Looks great too. I like how it doesn’t block off the path completely because you can see through the gate.
-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!
CharlieM1958
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6680 posts in 970 days
posted 829 days ago
Great design and well executed! I think I need to see them in person though. ROAD TRIP!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Todd A. Clippinger
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4942 posts in 851 days
posted 829 days ago
WOW! Love the design!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 829 days ago
they are WONDERFUL… \now.. where can I put some gates../?? hmmm
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6381 posts in 1051 days
posted 829 days ago
Beautiful, & all the above comments.
-- -** 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
Branden
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321 posts in 887 days
posted 829 days ago
Very sharp! Thanks for sharing!
-- Branden - Sacramento, California - www.ShopDogUSA.com
BassBully
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251 posts in 848 days
posted 828 days ago
I’m with Charlie, I think they’d look better in person.
-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!
dennis mitchell
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3704 posts in 1066 days
posted 828 days ago
Those twigs are all crooked…I’m pretty good with twigs…Take me a couple of weeks to fix…no problem..whats the address?
I really like the design. Good work.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Sawdust
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56 posts in 1159 days
posted 828 days ago
Great looking gates. What kind of finish did you put on them?
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 828 days ago
yup.. just had another look—I have no walls outside to attach a gate to but I’ll think of something!!! :D
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
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21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 828 days ago
Debbie how about to the basement stairs.
Great looking gates.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 828 days ago
Thanks for the kind comments all. The finish is Cabot’s Australian timber oil. I built the 1st gate (the smaller one) about a year before the main gate. After shipping the main gates my brother asked if I would fly out and install them (tough duty I know). While I was out there I wiped down the 1st gate with the timber oil and it looked better than when I 1st completed it. Take a look at http://www.ponohouse.com/ and you’ll see where I got the inspiration for the raw cedar and copper. The house columns are all raw Ohia and all the gutters are copper.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 828 days ago
See the additional photo. You can see where the idea for the lizard detail came from…lots of these little guys roaming around.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
scottb
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3341 posts in 1078 days
posted 828 days ago
Saw a little guy like that in Bermuda. Nice touch!
When’s the open house tour?
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Muzhik
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111 posts in 889 days
posted 828 days ago
Love the gates, and that house is awesome, too! I was stationed in Hawai’i for 3 years and managed to get over to Maui only once. Sure would love to go back!
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 828 days ago
basement stairs – good idea (except that we put a gate on it to keep toddlers safe and I’m not sure if this would be as effective)...
but you got me thinking—- I never considered INSIDE before!! Wheels are turning..
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Cathy Krumrei
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338 posts in 938 days
posted 828 days ago
Beautiful gates! The design is elegant and rustic how neat!
-- Cathy Krumrei (Krum) http://www.TheCarversCorner.com
Dartaniel
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16 posts in 829 days
posted 828 days ago
Absolutely gorgeous, very professional.
-- Russell W. Hupp
oscorner
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4573 posts in 1062 days
posted 827 days ago
Very nice. They go well with the house.
-- Jesus is Lord!
Obi
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2189 posts in 988 days
posted 827 days ago
Very nice… and the Gecko in the third picture looks life-like what color of green paint is that?
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
Don
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2588 posts in 928 days
posted 811 days ago
Lovely work, Bob.
I was unfamiliar with the term “Lyptus”. It sounds like a contraction of Eucalyptus, and being from Australia where Eucalyptus is the dominant native species, I had to look it up. According to this site, it’s a marketing trade name – a wood made from a hybrid of two species of Eucalyptus tree, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus urophylla.
I was particularly interested in the paragraph entitled “Criticism” and bring it to the attention of LJ’s.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 811 days ago
very interesting Don!
“too limiting” haaa I wonder what that really means.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 810 days ago
Very interesting indeed. I hadn’t heard of Aracruz’s questionable practices before. Part of why I like working with Lyptus is the supposedly eco-friendly forest stewardship they promote. Makes you wonder how much of it is simply marketing BS.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 810 days ago
It’s scary to think of all the “facts’ out there are are phoooey. It sure makes it worth the while to do a little research.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Napaman
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2820 posts in 828 days
posted 727 days ago
just saw these bob on the new format—-great!!!! I really love these…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...sanity...has arrived...JUNE-JULY-AUGUST...
mot
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4892 posts in 788 days
posted 727 days ago
That’s one of the nicest projects I’ve seen. Very unique and as I tend to find pieces labeled as “unique,” a bit of a strain to find a positive comment, I find myself staring at this one. It is very pleasing to the eye. I’m glad it made it back around.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 727 days ago
Thanks guys. I enjoyed making these.
Hehe….most of my work gets categorized as somewhat unigue Tom. I’m not sure if thats good or not. I’m not one for making exact reproductions. Everything usually has a twist to it. It’s usually what ever comes out of my head. I really like marrying finished pieces with raw wood and my brother’s house does that very well. The inspiration for these was the house itself and the beautiful raw koa columns.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Bob #2
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2663 posts in 773 days
posted 727 days ago
That’s really nice stuff Bob.
The design just jumps out at me.
Did you build them in MA or on the island?
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 726 days ago
I built them both in MA and shipped them. I had to build the shipping cases as well. Everything went very smooth. I rebuilt the frame on the front gate. During the install we found the beginnings of some termite damage. The original gates had been put on in a hurry and the frame was just KD fir. Termite food in Maui.
We put up some new PT framing, painted it to match the wall and installed the gate. It was fun to get a chance to do some work with my brother. My sister-n-law just found some hardware she liked (she’s been looking for awhile) so he still needs to install that.
I did the small one 1st so they knew somewhat what to expect but I think my sister-in-law was nervous until she saw the big ones. I was really happy with how it came out. It’s a big gate and looks heavy but it functions smoothly and fit perfectly. She used to leave the previous gates open because they were solid. Now she leaves them closed for effect.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
DAN
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5391 posts in 734 days
posted 726 days ago
these are awesome !!
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6381 posts in 1051 days
posted 704 days ago
You picked a good one with this project. Good Luck Bob
-- -** 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
RobS
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1191 posts in 1058 days
posted 702 days ago
Awesome Gates, Best of Luck.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Mark A. DeCou
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1494 posts in 1157 days
posted 702 days ago
These are great gates. I missed them somehow when they were posted, but spotted them while looking at who to vote for.
Good work. That house is gorgeous.
Mark
-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan
PanamaJack
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4449 posts in 829 days
posted 702 days ago
I’d let you stay in my house here in Columbus Indiana if you build me some gates like this!
Great job!
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
Don
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2588 posts in 928 days
posted 695 days ago
Well deserved, Bob. Congratulations!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
CedarFreakCarl
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526 posts in 805 days
posted 695 days ago
Great job Bob! You really deserved it and congratulations!
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
Chip
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1058 posts in 844 days
posted 695 days ago
I knew when I first saw the photos that this work was a standout. Wonderful creativity and great creaftsmanship. Congrats Bob!
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.
WayneC
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5774 posts in 849 days
posted 695 days ago
Well done Bob. Congratulations.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 695 days ago
Thanks so much for the kind words all. I’m still surprised. The competition was so good. I thought I might have a shot at 3rd at best. Here is a picture with a little better detail pre-installation.
I wish i had matched the center posts instead of contrasting them. I matched the tops and bottoms so that the grains would be continuous and thought the contrast would look better. I think it would have been better if they both looked like the one on the right. The grain was interesting on the left but got kind of busy looking when I finished it.
And of the side gate pre shipping. The raw cedar glows when finished.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 695 days ago
yup.. definitely a winner! :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
furnitologist
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181 posts in 764 days
posted 695 days ago
Hi Bob:
Congrats on another fine project…......as MsD states…...”yup.. definitely a winner!”
Neil
Lee A. Jesberger
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3495 posts in 731 days
posted 694 days ago
Bob,
Great job! Congratulations on the first place you’ve earned.
Just a beautiful piece! (that’s not really a drawing in sketch up, is it? (LOL)
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Douglas Bordner
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3316 posts in 815 days
posted 694 days ago
Wife ought let you buy more stuff now that you are an international wood star! Again, congrats Bob.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 694 days ago
I tell you…it feels strange having such accomplished woodworkers praising my work. Thank you all so much!
LOL…It did start out there Lee.
Hehe….Douglas . I told the wife I was famous and she said “When your 15 minutes are up don’t forget to take out the trash”.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
jembo
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104 posts in 765 days
posted 694 days ago
Well, these other J’s stole all the good lines, or maybe I’m late. Hot stuff Bob – very well done!
Thank goodness your brother paid for the shipping…...............................oops!
-- James - Geneva, Switzerland
woodspar
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705 posts in 851 days
posted 693 days ago
Beautiful gates Bob, Congrats!
-- John
Douglas Bordner
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3316 posts in 815 days
posted 693 days ago
Bob- Had to laugh, my wife would say the same, except she would be trying to see how I could change it into a paying gig.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 693 days ago
that’s funny Bob. “one for the missus” :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Aubster
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118 posts in 779 days
posted 693 days ago
congrats Bob! You derserved it.
-- A man who moves mountains starts one stone at a time.
koopmaun
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28 posts in 950 days
posted 691 days ago
Stunning work. Deserved win. Cheers.
-- Koopmaun, Canada, www.screekpaddleco.com
Mark A. DeCou
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1494 posts in 1157 days
posted 689 days ago
Congrats Bob: These were beautiful gates. The combination of contrasting woods, and the rustic sticks in contrast to the smooth frame. A unique and good looking art-gate. What a garden it protects!
-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flint Hill's Artisan
Karson
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21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 689 days ago
Bob Congratulations on your first place win. The gates are great.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 683 days ago
Thanks again all. This is one of my favorite projects. It was the 1st thing I ever built that I really tried to build something fine. Before this is was simpler projects, much cheaper woods, fun stuff but basic. The inspiration for this was easy. I knew what I wanted to do almost immediately. It had to match the house with a combination of raw wood and fine finishes. I’ve had some great times at the house with family and friends and a piece of my soul has been stolen by the island of Maui. I’d love to live there for a few years in the future.
When I built our gate and arbor I married the finished with the raw but it was no where near this project. It was a serious challenge for me and it had to be perfect. I was so happy to see my sister-in-law as excited as she was when we opened the crate. When we installed it the entrance was transformed. I was surprised how much it changed the look.
Thank you all again for the honor. You have no idea how much it means to me.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 680 days ago
the gate is magnificent—the Award honour is just validates this.
Maui is the one place on earth that I’d like to visit (other than going across Canada). I just think of it as magical in its beauty. I don’t think I’ll ever get there in this life time but I can always dream.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bob Babcock
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1808 posts in 837 days
posted 677 days ago
You have to go for it Deb. It really is a magical place. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. The air far and lodging is the big part. You CAN eat reasonably there, and there is so much to do and see that costs nothing.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Woodn88s
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51 posts in 293 days
posted 265 days ago
Great job Bob, very creative and functional for sure.
Gregg
-- I want to know Gods thoughts....rest are details "A. Einstein"
DaveR
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1044 posts in 472 days
posted 265 days ago
Bob, I have just see this thread. Lovely gates. I’ve wondered about the rot resistance of Lyptus but have been unable to find any information. I tried contacting the “manufacturer” but they never responded. Have you seen any information about that?
-- Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Grumpy
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12048 posts in 602 days
posted 264 days ago
Very original Bob. Well suited to the location.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Blake
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2560 posts in 626 days
posted 125 days ago
These are really cool. Just noticed them in “roll the dice.”
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com