The funny thing about my job in woodworking is people often ask what we build. My standard response is usually "custom woodwork," which, incidentally, is quickly followed with a bit of a blank expression on the questioner's face and a "uh-huh" being uttered. "Custom cabinetry and architectural millwork" is a more correct answer but that response usually does not even register on the asker's RADAR.
We do a lot of different things at work. That's what makes my job really interesting. It is fun doing production runs of certain things like vanities or kitchen cabinets but the logistical challenges that arise in constructing new, novel (custom!?) pieces of cabinetry, furniture, and millwork are what interest me. It's fun to build stuff, too.
I finally found a definition of millwork that I can actually understand. Typically people define 'millwork' as being any piece of wood that comes out of a lumber mill. Pretty vague, if you ask me. Recently I purchased a cabinetry and millwork textbook that was recommended as a solid reference and it supplied me with a servicable definition. The book states that millwork includes all of the machined wood items, such as paneling, doors, window units, mantels, stairs, shutters, kitchen cabinets, mouldings, and trim, that go into homes and commercial buildings. Yup, that's us.
Since moving from Atlanta to Richmond, we've built panelings, doors, mantels, kitchens, vanities, and various different pieces of custom furniture. This coming week we're building a dining room table, a breakfast banquette, a mantel, and a set of stairs. Oh, and last week I cut up a pair of church pews that I reassembled in a slightly different fashion (a right angle--nothing sacreligious). Sorry, Jesus.
happy days,
cb
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