making furniture.
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- auricom
after going to IKEA, Ladifference (http://www.ladiff.com), and a few other designer furniture stores, i've decided that most of the nicer furniture is ungodly priced. since sculpture and architecture motivate and inspire me so much, i want to start producing my own work. i've only been able to create my sculptural ideas digitally, (examples on my site, furniture sketches posted soon) because i am extremely poor and don't have any space to work in.
what i want to do is learn how to bend and shape wood. i know some of the basics because of the sculpture classes i had in college but wood bending was not apart of them. i am wondering if anyone has attempted small runs of wood bending and what tools and tech. did you use, steaming, laminating, etc.
i'm hoping i can set up a small studio out of a garage i may rent but if the cost of equipment is too much then i guess i'll have to wait. i need to find an old skateboard press or something.
thanks in advance for ideas and suggestions.
- mbr0
No new ideas for ya, but I like your ideas. I am interested in that, as well. I will not be ever buying equipment or producing myself, but I do want to design and sell (hopefully) furniture and some sculpture.
Let me know if you are serious about buying the equip, perhaps we'd contract you to make our stuff? Just a thought.
- rizon0
same here
- Duane0
maybe you could build a steamer? sounds like fun. i'd love to see what you come up with. these links may help.
- lind0
I don't know how to bend wood but I used to create art with wood and it's expensive -- quality wood, drill, electrical saw, sander and other electrical equipments, glue, dust masks, paint, varnish...the list goes on.
Your garage will smell toxic -- and all the smell and dust would be unhealthy (that's part of the reason I quit). And I'm sure the chemicals required to bend wood would be even more toxic.
Also, after spending so much resource and time into creating something, it may turn out to be a major mistake/dud -- and depending on the size, could be a pain in the neck to get rid of.
For me, I much rather buy furniture then make them -- cheaper and less time-consuming. Ikea is kind of inexpensive -- and buying used at estate sales/garage sales is cheaper.
- auricom0
thanks for the links, good stuff there. yeah i know this will be quite the undertaking. i'll post my sketches somewhere soon, i may just make miniture version first but....i'll just have to wait and see. my financal situation is going to be getting worse soon so this may be a future plan. maybe i could sell my designs or something, all kinds of crazy ideas brewing.
- auricom0
i wonder how IKEA selects there designers. i was thinking of putting a self-promo/ furniture oriented piece togethet to send to them just to see what happens.
i know most of the things at IKEA are inexpensive but the things i want are a bit steep; like tables, chairs, bedding, large units, etc.
- xrusos0
ask mr. winky. i bumped a thread for you.
- peanuts0
set forth and do what you want to create. hey you might be the next le corbusier. who knows. hey give me a discount when you get to be famous. ;)
- auricom0
thanks xrusos and peanuts. once i figure the cost for equipment and such, i'm going to setup a little business plan for my self and figure out how much space i would need. i could get by creating some of the pieces but a majority of my designs require wood bending so that is the biggest thing holding me up.
with the lovely salary i'm making, this could take a long time.
- unknown0
fyi
Furniture is a great way to go. Bent wood is fairly simple you need a mold for most of it and some knowledge of wood structure and lots of little things about wood. Keep in mind that if you work with solid wood you will need a garage that is temp and humidity controlled since that has alot to do with final products. Wood furniture changes a lot throughout the year and you must give it room to expand and contract without breaking. This is why IKEA uses plywood with veneers. it won't expand much and looks like solid wood, i guess. But do some research, its not as simple as making something look cool.