https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/home daily 1.0 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581036537323-1SC3CCR92FB4CX3GA59H/VFWWLogo3.gif Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579272707587-Y88S8GWHZVII5TWZLMQ4/processed_IMG_20200116_180648730.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579272729212-FG5A8IRP0ZD0WZLWNW16/processed_IMG_20200116_180736318.jpg Home https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/about daily 0.75 2024-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579287704299-2KMF03C7I3N4OSFWPAKP/VFWWLogo3sm.png About - Why Valkyrie? In Norse Mythology, the Valkyrie are the choosers of the slain. On a battle field, they would guide a hero’s path, inspire and help them to either win the battle, or to their end, so they could be escorted by the Valkyrie and delivered Odin’s Great Hall, Valhalla, to feast and drink with the AEsir until they were needed again. The first written record of the name Kara, comes from the Norse Poetic Edda Helgakviða Hundingsbana II. The name Kára means "the wild, stormy one". Kara was the last Valkyrie. Kara has been the supportive, guiding force behind the creation of Valkyrie Fine Woodworking, and it is in honor of her, and her Norse heritage, that the company is named. Kara Created the company logo too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579280746407-HFU0172CNZ2EF4HY7FI6/CharlieCrop2.jpg About - Beginnings: During high school, Charlie signed up for a carpentry\construction apprenticeship, which lasted 3 years and included building 2 buildings for the city from the ground up, and remodeling one. During the apprenticeship, he worked weekends building sheds for the instructors side job. Upon graduating high school, he was certified as a Journeyman Carpenter. Charlie continued to work in construction and cabinetry related fields in some fashion throughout his life. Even after becoming an Internet Engineer, he continued to build and remodel things on weekends and after work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1580229899932-0X4562PJSELARQCHBIXJ/kara.jpg About - General Construction, Remodeling, plumbing, metal work, sculpture, painting, meddling in the affairs of mortals … Although she is a scientist by trade, when Kara and Charlie met, they both whipped out their miter saws to compare, and hers was bigger. Bringing a wide variety of skills, and an impeccable sense of style to the table, Kara has graciously taken on the role of apprentice until she becomes more familiar with the subtleties of furniture making. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579279708737-CCERVPDHM6CCX4LGABGQ/stairs.jpg About - Transformation: Through purchasing a dilapidated, 7000 square foot, 1870’s mansion as a restoration project, Charlie became involved deeply in historic restoration and re-creation, beginning his transition from general construction to fine woodworking, by recreating stair spindles, builtin cabinetry, and rebuilding rotted double hung wood windows and frames https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/contact daily 0.75 2020-01-16 https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/woods daily 0.75 2020-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581033245829-WRIL5TS6TID7TF366B5B/Heartwood-sapwood.jpg Getting to know the woods - Heartwood vs. Sapwood Heartwood is the center section of the tree, usually darker than the sapwood, which is arguably the “living” portion of the tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579369588576-60P17DCB361SKKGTM9TF/QuarterSawnOak.png Getting to know the woods - Quartersawn Oak: With Quartersawn lumber, the log is literally sawn in quarters before planks are cut from it. Then the log section is rotated 90 degrees for each plank. This provides lumber which is exceptionally stable, meaning, it wont change or move much with humidity changes. An additional wonderful aspect of processing Oak in this manner is the lumber frequently has “rays” contained within the grain, which adds an additional level of beauty. The manner in which the lumber is sawn does not change the strength or hardness of the wood in any significant amount. The additional labor involved in producing quartersawn lumber along with the additional waste and unusable wood, lends to the higher cost. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579369085857-BYONB62CWYWBKCWPZ99B/white-oak.jpg Getting to know the woods - Oak: White Oak heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Nearly white to light brown sapwood is not always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Quartersawn sections display prominent ray fleck patterns. Red Oak sometimes has a slightly reddish hue to the heartwood, however, it more refers to the color of the leaves in fall. I do not recommend gloss or semi-glass finish unless the open pours are filled. Janka Hardness: 1220 Red Oak 1335 White Oak https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579639835003-028UEE5S7EB8MUJ3XLQX/choice_maple.png Getting to know the woods - Curly and Quilted Maple Curly and Quilted Maple are not actually a species, rather a description of a figure in the grain—it occurs most often in soft maples, but is also seen in hard maples. It is so called because the ripples in the grain pattern create a three dimensional effect that appears as if the grain has “curled” along the length of the board. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579370704945-TKU8SBLXSIPX51QBQ4VL/hard-maple.jpg Getting to know the woods - Maple Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Sapwood color ranges from almost white, to a light golden or reddish brown, while the heartwood is a darker reddish brown. Silver Maple can also be seen with curly or quilted grain patterns. Janka Hardness: Soft Maples: 850 Hard Maples: 1,450 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579642161314-5T67VBQVVZ3OUYY61JM6/cherry_0.jpg Getting to know the woods - Cherry (Black Cherry, American Cherry) Heartwood is a light pinkish brown when freshly cut, darkening to a medium reddish brown with time and upon exposure to light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish color. Cherry darkens with age. To make that darkening happen faster, expose the piece to UV light, or simply take it outside on a day that is right for air drying laundry. Janka Hardness: 950 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579642879792-6ZYSNQ3E138TOASMUJN3/fancy_Cherry.png Getting to know the woods - Curly and Quilted Cherry Like curly and quilted maple, the same variations occur in cherry, but not nearly as often. These are rare finds, however, they create some of the most beautiful pieces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579640568649-FT2869MKQW56EC6C342Q/sapele.jpg Getting to know the woods - Sapele (Sapelli, Sapeli) The only exotic lumber to make my preferred woods list so far. My local sawmill introduced me to this wood, and I have to say, its a true pleasure to work with, without higher cost of its Mahogany brethren. Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age. Besides the common ribbon pattern seen on quartersawn boards, Sapele is also known for a wide variety of other figured grain patterns, such as: pommele, quilted, mottled, wavy, beeswing, and fiddleback. Janka Hardness: 1,410 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579640669750-FRW7SEG86SQ9CVM9TUY5/black-walnut.jpg Getting to know the woods - Walnut With an open grain, Walnut is very similar to oak in look, feel, and texture. I do not recommend a glossy finish unless the open pours are filled. Heartwood can range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Color can sometimes have a grey, purple, or reddish cast. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Figured grain patterns such as curl, crotch, and burl are also seen. Janka Hardness: 1,010 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1579641892875-C43CAI899HIGQXGG7BB9/bitternut-hickory.jpg Getting to know the woods - Hickory A great utility wood for making toolboxes and other things that will see a lot of hard use. Heartwood tends to be light to medium brown, with a reddish hue; sapwood is a paler yellowish brown. Boards with contrasting heartwood and sapwood create a somewhat rustic appearance that’s sometimes marketed as Calico Hickory. Janka Hardness: 1,500 https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/giving-back-to-those-who-serve daily 0.75 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585146949477-DSSWRS87ZQIAEKBK41JG/SpecOffers_responders.jpg Giving back to those who serve https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery daily 0.75 2020-06-21 https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/carriage-house-doors monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585155282444-8C338SHAUYD8I3LZ03LI/garage_door4.jpg Gallery - Carriage house doors - Making it happen: Using local hardwoods, I designed the door with a combination of lap joints and mortise and tenon joinery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585155077716-MRWA8NJAXDNNNG8WLGKJ/garage_door_orig.jpg Gallery - Carriage house doors - The Project Started here: Broken and tattered, as many of us are, the doors needed to be replaced. The request was to keep them historically accurate in their style and joinery, as the building was historically land-marked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585155630960-38D1P6BV5PATYVCBX3BC/garage_door3.jpg Gallery - Carriage house doors - The design: I went with a dutch door style as an improvement, allowing for airflow while someone is inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585155695012-MMTSW0ANB4TMX7ZUWF8K/garage_door2.jpg Gallery - Carriage house doors - Build it. The upper door ended up simply beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585156071108-500HB5OV863HMO5POJUK/garage_door1.jpg Gallery - Carriage house doors Again, my apologies for not having a picture of the final hung doors. https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/corner-table monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154591717-RL02BBAD4OF8HNZ73G5G/cornertable4.jpg Gallery - Corner Table https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154698263-FK7G8TWEXC2ZO76PPUPJ/cornertable2.jpg Gallery - Corner Table My apologies for not having a good finished picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154630902-GMMWXKQE2W4WJYR8GLMW/cornertable3.jpg Gallery - Corner Table https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154648269-YCFWVAP5IY9XNCYUK7T1/cornertable1.jpg Gallery - Corner Table https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/locking-cabinet monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154014747-E71T2273EFG64CTPR6HE/cabinet3.jpg Gallery - Locking Cabinet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585153994312-O997Q9MX6JBMRZF3IYKC/cabinet.jpg Gallery - Locking Cabinet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585154032300-VOUQZZOOQWIRRIRRDI3I/cabinet2.jpg Gallery - Locking Cabinet https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/2x4-challenge-bed monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585152985375-46S8GO4W3G6RUJTJ5K2A/2x4bed3.jpg Gallery - 2x4 challenge: Bed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585153189988-7V9V8RFWRYU9OWHRUP0M/2x4bed.jpg Gallery - 2x4 challenge: Bed The final result. Again, before I ever planned on starting a business or cared about photographs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585153004739-0GF414ICYSVMJKOXYF4I/2x4bed4.jpg Gallery - 2x4 challenge: Bed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585152937389-H02SPQUXAGQI34JF9HAT/2x4bed2.jpg Gallery - 2x4 challenge: Bed https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/a-simple-side-table monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585152314090-TSWE1D1WSVDP4VR0M9T2/table2.jpg Gallery - A simple side table https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585152170120-GEKB1SHGQ7KR6DV01GI0/table3.jpg Gallery - A simple side table https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585152219995-IL2B4D0IY83YN2F1AVHC/table1.jpg Gallery - A simple side table https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/heirloom-trees monthly 0.5 2020-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1580758537320-PB8RQJKBHQH4H61B4RR8/heirloomTrees.jpg Gallery - Keepsakes from a family tree https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/sofa-table monthly 0.5 2020-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586469649708-N6VPEDKS3OR5DYFTQCLC/HS_sofa_table4.png Gallery - Sofa Table - First Stop, Sketchup, to be sure we are on the same page: Based on the dimensions and photos of the existing piece, I created this concept, and requested a drawer to get a color match. Quoted, time estimate given & accepted … Let it begin! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586469936762-V40IXJP2UXJTIQDQ30TB/IMG_20200325_165541675.jpg Gallery - Sofa Table - The wood: With a requirement of paint, I was able to save the customer money and build the table out of birch. Not the prettiest wood, but, its going to be painted, and everyone likes to save money where they can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586470105623-5C8YZELZL95ZDXQSN3FL/IMG_20200328_192022686.jpg Gallery - Sofa Table - Legs to match the existing table: I surfaced the wood and laminated (glued) the pieces together to create thicker boards, rather than paying the higher price at the lumber yard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586470343781-6JWDWS9TGRM2O6MG9CCT/naked_table.jpg Gallery - Sofa Table - A few days later, things are taking shape. I still maintain a day job, so, getting a full day of work in the shop in takes a few days. But progress is steady and I keep my customer updated as it goes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586470730977-WERU2ONRUWSFHAASILOT/IMG_20200408_150607012.jpg Gallery - Sofa Table - Painted: Three coats of paint. Lots of sanding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1586471029609-584NKYVI2NGJGKGGK6WD/IMG_20200408_172929894.jpg Gallery - Sofa Table - Done! Never say, “I guess it will do, since I cant find what I really want”. Get EXACTLY what you want. Custom furniture isn’t something reserved exclusively for the wealthy, you just have to know who to ask. https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/project-two-cz8ad monthly 0.5 2020-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1580756622997-LETHOZW6ANY1ID0GZIEI/08_WorthEffortSm.jpg Gallery - A pastry board https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/project-one-zzc37 monthly 0.5 2020-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1580754108909-0U09P5OV912ZHQE3G4F0/1000fallsSm.jpg Gallery - The "Thousand Falls" table https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/gallery/entertainment-center-with-fireplace monthly 0.5 2020-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151406012-3NFHLLRG126YYMI2LRCF/fireplace5.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - pulling it all together https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151305752-QY904NJV63XMA0Z4ZBHM/fireplace6.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - Accounting for all the pieces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151625396-7WZ30WDENWJMYPJLMOT5/fireplace3.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - bit by bit, its coming together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151711882-SZQLYRDE4MUI2KE0ATTS/fireplace2.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - The completed cabinet. Now to add the electric fireplace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151224839-INMV7L3BZBOH2W6U43M6/fireplace7.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - Beginning in Sketchup with a 3d model of what needs to be built https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1585151854236-R8MH3JIZL7O5OPDOYR7N/fireplace1.jpg Gallery - Entertainment Center with fireplace - The finished product tied in perfectly with the existing cabinets and looked stunning. https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/portfolio-2 daily 0.75 2020-02-06 https://www.valkyriefinewoodworking.com/portfolio-2/project-one-5tenx monthly 0.5 2020-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581029861811-VTQQ5OIODNO4A3I0XEZM/Armstrongmill.jpg Process - A pastry board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581030189145-TMBRWUTU26YGR1N7JCMY/IMG_20200122_165916293_01.jpg Process - A pastry board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581030318117-D0JJ8TRWXVTXEGCDQ9V9/IMG_20200122_182603523_trimmed.jpg Process - A pastry board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581030394964-RDJST4Y9FIQDS0I9F0IN/IMG_20200127_184115250Resized.jpg Process - A pastry board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581030572658-IT3SCIV59DQP5OU9TLKN/IMG_20200130_200813547_Trimmed.jpg Process - A pastry board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e20b1a5d886a42a7de48e2d/1581031043932-6IH1KCLCYUSSIW9U4Y6N/IMG_20200203_144811686Trimmed.jpg Process - A pastry board