Any woodworkers?

I can't say for certain but in our conversations with people at the furniture stores is has to do with the decline of furniture production in North Carolina, which historically has had a huge segment of the market. Now the majority is built overseas.

I just did a quick search and interestingly (or not!), it was the manufacturers who brought that on;

"...But the initial growth of furniture imports from Asia had been encouraged by U.S. furniture companies. "Westerners were the ones who brought the American furniture industry to Asia," wrote Dugan. Early movers in the industry — who built furniture factories in the Philippines and Taiwan — recognized the huge competitive advantage of using low-cost labor to manufacture furniture in Asia, which surpassed the advantage of relocating to other parts of the United States, such as Mississippi, as some had previously done. "The original plan," Dugan recounted, "was to make furniture components in Asian factories using American veneers, ship them to America for assembling, and sell them to the American market at highly competitive prices." The plan was so successful that it was soon copied by other U.S. firms."

From this article;

https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/econ_focus/2020/q4/economic_history

 

Explains why there's walnut veneer on rubber tree wood. Makes my solid-walnut antiques that much more special.

Also explains why my folks paid what they paid for their hand-made Missouri Amish dining room set.

 

It's a double edge sword. On one had, if company's truely sell 'Forever' Furniture there aren't repeat customers, and the only time people would return to buy is if they sold off their existing to get a new style.

But on the other side, the true cost of building quality, long lasting, hand crafted furniture would make certain peoples head spin. I think of craftsmen like Jory Brigham (jorybrigham.com) and something 'simple' like his ping pong table. It'll be a work of art for lifetimes... but it's probably >$20k. But you can go to walmart and get a mdf table for $100 and the ball still bounces over the net....

I think that's were hobbyist makers come in... They like nice stuff, want something that lasts, but have a tough time swallowing that giant dollar sign shaped pill. So we go out and spend 10k on tools to save 4k on a dining table

 

And there's somehow something wrong with this?

 

If there is I don't wanna be right! hahaha

 

$10k? Clearly you have not upgraded to Festool tools!


J/K, Even with my green collection, I think my total shop is close to that number.

 

If the frame is good and solid, you could get new foam and upholstery.

Make your old couch new again...

 

My grandmother had that done to one sofa several times. I think she had it for over 50 years.

 

My grandfather used to do that for fun after he retired from GM. Hunt estate sales for antique furniture with destroyed upholstery and redo it. Used to sell sofas for $1K back in the 1980s.

I couldn't for the life of me figure out how he got his beading so good until he showed me a trick using 30-pound fishing line to pull the cord through AFTER he'd sewn it. Brilliant.

 

You'd be surprised at the cost of fabric, and labor to do it. We did look into having an armchair reupholstered and it was stunningly expensive. We reupholstered our dining room chairs, and it was not difficult but doing a 9-foot couch is another thing.

And the frame is one of the things we've found lacking in almost all the couches. If that isn't solid and quality, the rest doesn't matter.

 

I know it's expensive - but if the frame is solid, it could be worth it (compared to what is on the market.)

I re-stuffed my leather sofa last year - almost $500 in foam. Of course, it made the couch like new again - should last another 20 years.

 

1. All good points and fair reasoning on the price of furniture, so thank you
2. you guys can upholster???????? count me impressed!

 

To be fair, I just unzipped the cushions and pulled out the old foam and stuffed in the new.

 

As for the upholstery comment, if you do decide to go this route, invest in a pneumatic stapler. Your hand will appreciate you. I reupholstered an old estate sale find chair that her cats previously destroyed. Sanded and stained dark oak with about 2 yards of fabric, new burlap strapping for the seat back and bottom, foam core and synthetic cotton batting made the chair look brand new. Granted, it didn't have the same pleating treatment but you start in the middle and work your way outward pulling tight on the fabric as you staple. I used more than 100 half inch staples all in all. It was a fun project, especially seeing it taken apart. The chair went through a few iterations before I had my whack at it. I wasn't tackling a recliner so it was fairly simple and straight forward.

-J

 

Years back, my wife took a local community college upholstery class. She loved the class, redid our couch, and learned a lot.

I ended up buying her an industrial sewing machine.

I just looked, and the last Austin CC class was over 15 years ago. RIP a great program to teach a much-needed skill.

Oh, she loved fine needlework. Now makes over $125 hr helping plastic surgeons (super fine needlework, so no scar as it is done in layers).

 

THIS!!!!

Best part of fixing my ottoman was “thunk thunk thunk thunk” done.

 

Hi all. Not sure if this is the right place. My dad passed away Saturday. His wife and I want to honor him by placing his ashes in a wooden urn box but with the logo of his favorite brandy, Presidente. Anyone here able to help?

 

Sorry for your loss, condolences.

What size is the plaque?

 

Thanks. Actually, we don’t have a plaque. We’d like the picture above on the box somehow, either printed and sealed with the wood or engraved. Not sure we’re asking for much but also never had to do this. It also doesn’t help that this is not a popular drink.