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07-01-2008, 01:32 PM
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#1 |
Name: Bas City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 35 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 66 days | Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
It took a bit longer than expected (as always...), but the cabinet is finally assembled, finished and installed. Overall, it came out pretty well. I'm very happy with the overall construction. The finishing was so so. Spraying latex was not terribly successful, and I spent far too much time on the whole endeavor. But, that will soon be forgotten! The final coat has several imperfections, but from a foot or so away, you can't see any of that.
Front- and side view:    
Shelf inside:   
This was the first time I used the panel-and-frame construction method, as well as biscuits. I like both, and I think I'll do many more projects in this fashion. It's simple, easy to dryfit and looks great.
Some helpful "lessons learned":
- If you're going to use cheap material, make sure you get high-quality stuff. I used construction grade plywood, figuring it didn't matter since it was going to be painted. Bad idea. It's too soft, and full of flaws that need to be filled.
- Make sure you're measurements are all off by the same amount. That greatly reduces frustration during assembly.
- If you're new at something, try to become an expert first. Much easier that way.
- The amount of clamping pressure needed is inversely proportional to the quality of the joint.
- Figure out how many mistakes you're going to make ahead of time, so you can joint and plane the appropriate amount of extra material.
- When using paint, do not wait until the actual application phase to put your gloves on. Do it before you start mixing, pouring etc.
- If you buy a set that includes an equal number of #0, #10 and #20 biscuits, your project will require four #0 biscuits and a hundred #20 biscuits. The remaining biscuits will probably sit on the shelf for the next 5 years.
On to the next project....
__________________
Bas.
I don't need it. I just want it.
Last edited by Bas; 07-01-2008 at 01:34 PM.
Reason: Added link to original post with construction details
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07-01-2008, 01:37 PM
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#2 |
Name: Stuart Nelson City: Chapel Hill State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Jan 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.58 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Nice looking cage/cabinet Bas. Sounds like it was a good learning experience. | |
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07-01-2008, 01:45 PM
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#3 | | Senior Moderator
Name: Tracy City: Salisbury State: NC County: Rowan Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 47 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Bas, that is quality work. It turned out very nice. What will your next learning experience be? .gif "Drogar Laugh(DBG)")
__________________ Tracy
Making Friends One Post At A Time 
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07-01-2008, 02:02 PM
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#4 | | Moderator
Name: Wayne Symons City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 61 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.89 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
WOW Bas! Nice new digs!!! The cab really turned out nice - even after all of your frustrations. Sure looks a lot nice than the last time I saw the birdcage on treated SYP posts!!! .gif "Drogar BigGrin(DBG)")
Are the pets taking up residence well?
In spite of all of your hardships with materials and finish, I think that you can call this project a complete success!! 
Wayne
__________________ ..............found out many years ago that Elbow Grease doesn't come in a bottle!!!! | |
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07-01-2008, 02:33 PM
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#5 |
Name: Randy Jordan City: Macon State: NC County: Warren Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 58 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.30 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Bas, You did a great job on the cabinet! As stated before, we are our own worst critics.
Now, are there really cats and birds or are they just a figment of your vivid imagination???
__________________
Randy
Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it!!! | |
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07-01-2008, 02:38 PM
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#6 |
Name: Larry Rose City: Ahoskie State: NC County: Hertford Join Date: Apr 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.45 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Great job and I really like your "lesons learned". I generaly forget at least one of them on each project I do | |
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07-01-2008, 02:52 PM
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#7 |
Name: Dennis Reynolds City: Ivan's Corner (Monroe) State: NC County: Union Join Date: Jan 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
It appears we all like the cabinet. What do its intended occupants/users think of it?
__________________
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you're right." - Henry Ford | |
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07-01-2008, 03:13 PM
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#8 |
Name: Bas City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 35 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Originally Posted by Gotcha6  It appears we all like the cabinet. What do its intended occupants/users think of it? Well, the birds like that their cage isn't wobbly anymore. They're definitely moving around more vigorously. The cats weren't terribly interested until I put the doors on, and they're forced to use the side entrances. Cats love to explore places. So I'd say the critters are pretty happy.
BTW, after I had put on the second coat of paint, I went inside to clean the spray gun. When I went back to the garage, I surprised a squirrel that had snuck in. The startled creature turned, ran into the cabinet through opening #1 and out opening #2, leaving tiny paw prints..... That's when I knew the design was animal friendly 
__________________
Bas.
I don't need it. I just want it.
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07-01-2008, 04:26 PM
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#9 | | Moderator
Advisory Panel
Name: Roger Deese City: Durham State: NC County: Durham Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 62 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Bas,
I've never seen a cleaner, whiter bird/cat home 
Definitely a job well-done!
Just hope you have a full-time pet assistant to provide hourly maintenance 
Roger
__________________
I ain't never had too much fun!
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07-01-2008, 06:12 PM
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#10 |
Name: Ed City: Charlotte State: NC County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Apr 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.79 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Nice job Bas! Looks like a very good setup. | |
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07-01-2008, 06:35 PM
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#11 |
Name: jeff... City: State: NC County: Granville Join Date: Mar 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.68 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Ok dude that's just a little twisted - birds on top of the kitty crapper - I thought they were like arch enemies? Woodworking looks good Where's the fish tank
__________________
Mills Custom Sawing
Never corner something that you know is meaner than you. | |
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07-01-2008, 08:49 PM
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#12 |
Name: Reggie Medlin City: Albemarle State: NC County: Stanly Join Date: May 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.79 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Bas: COOL, Man! Super Job! Nicest Kitty Krapper I've EVER seen!
__________________
I'm a great believer in LUCK! I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
Thomas Jefferson
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07-01-2008, 09:07 PM
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#13 |
Name: Phillip City: Lexington State: NC County: Davidson Join Date: Jun 2008 Age: 48 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.79 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Great job Bas
__________________
My Saw Is Making Dust | |
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07-01-2008, 09:12 PM
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#14 |
Name: John Lord City: Raleigh State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Sep 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.09 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Bas - many times I've thought the figuring and learning were more enjoyable than the doing. When everything goes along easily, its just mechanical. Hope you had fun.
__________________
John
"Anything worth cutting down a tree for, is worth doing right."
Cut to size, and hammer to fit.  | |
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07-01-2008, 09:33 PM
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#15 |
Name: Chuck City: Rocky Mount State: NC County: Nash Join Date: Nov 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.88 over 66 days | Re: Bird cage cabinet - finally DONE
Cheap ply or not the finished product looks way cool!!
Cats and birds is a little weird in a circle of life kinda way I guess. 
Pretty work.
Chuck | |
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