Seeking a source for those few odds and ends in each kitchen project that are needed, beyond the usual doors, drawerfronts, toekick stock, and trim.
I’m talking about fridge end panels, built-up island end panels, and the like, all of which I want to buy already finished as are the doors and drawerfronts.
But I am striking out with Conestoga, who otherwise can supply everything. It seems as if they, and their direct competitors (Keystone, Walzcraft, etc.) don’t want to be involved in occasional “custom” assemblies that require bench time and hand work.
I don’t want to have to get into finishing myself. Who can I contact for these kinds of items?
Replies
Did you try posting in Breaktime?
There are very few in that audience who do cabinetry by cafeteria-style purchasing, and my likelyhood of getting a lead is better here, I think.
I also posted on Woodweb's cabinetmaking forum.
Hi Gene Davis,
I'm surprised your current supplier of prefinished doors and drawer fronts won't offer you these types of end panels. They're nothing more than large doors with an occasional middle style or rail or two. How about getting everything unfinished and finding a local finisher? Are the doors and fronts you currently use not custom? Boy, I wish I could be of help. My shop does all its' own finishing. There's got to be someone that offers this service. Good luck
Paul
ps I'll be in the shop tomorrow and check my suppliers more closely. If I find anything of interest I'll contact you
I'm a cabinetmaker in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area working for The Brandywine Guild, Inc. (thebrandywineguild.com) and we keep on getting jobs just like yours, either from the homeowners or from the contractors. These customers have gotten a Conestoga install, but then find out they're missing necessary pieces. We're happy to supply these missing items with the same appearance as the Constoga materials. Sometimes, if we're involved early enough, we can meet or beat the Conestoga (or similar supplier) prices.
I suggest you look in your local area phone book, or web pages, for a cabinetmaker near you and talk to him about your needs.
abcd, I am as fully capable of the woodworking part of all this as are the local shops here. It's the matching finish I am missing, which is why I would like to find a single source for the whole shebang.
A natural clearcoat, in whatever gloss, is pretty much a no-brainer, also.
But it is when we get into the distressing, and the antique look done with the glazes and stains, that getting the match on an island end or fridgebox side gets difficult, if I go local.
Hi Gene, in response to your clar9ification: If all you need is finishing--then you can order the stains and glazes from Conestoga. They do supply their own materials (which are simply custom blends from a major manufacturer) and they're fairly simple to apply if you follow their directions. The stains are expensive, relatively.
The other option is to cheat. Just order an end panel in the thickness and roughly the size you want , have them finish it with the same finish that you already have, and then trim it to fit your specific application. This will end up being much cheaper than any custom jobber you can find.
Hope this helps.
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