Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Wooden Box

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Expert: - 7/1/2011


Question
Hi, Greg,

I don't know much about handmade boxes but noticed they cost a lot, so I was wondering what would usually determine the cost of a simply handmade box with a loose lid or hinged lid.

Answer
Hey Sean, a lot of things will determine the cost....the type of wood and joinery used to make it, the hours and difficulty(or lack of) put into it....obviously, where it was made and by whom....etc....and of course what the market will bear, especially true in the "artist" market....A well made box from an exotic wood, or other highly figured wood is an exacting project, and many hours of handwork will go into it, design, construction,finishing all take time, and so the artisan wants to get paid a decent amount for their time, and the prices will reflect that....but that is subjective as well, and there's no real baseline with which to work off....most makers would try to figure a fair price depending on those variables...and maybe a few others......regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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