I am excited abot being in this contest and have started on my stairway. These same pictures will be posted at
www.dewalt.com/Top17 when they allow each of us to upload soon.
pictures of layout, form building, peeking through window, laminating strigers…etc.
Stan
The FHB Podcast team weighs in on Building Science career questions.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Stan, a little subliminal suggestion.
Photoshop the copter into a yellow and black.
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Calvin: You mean like this.,...
Not quite the dewalt yellow, but it might just nudge the judging.
Course, that's if they overlook your work.
Best of luck!...........
you got the quality part down.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Calvin: The general public is going to pick the winner of this contest...and it really wont have anything to do with DeWalt.
In the beginning,...it was indeed 8 DeWalt judges that picked the final 17....
I wanted to submit this photo in my entry...but did not because it really shouldnt matter what tools built my past projects. They did not specify that they had to be built with DeWalt tools.
Had I submitted this picture....I would have felt guilty showing my bias for DeWalt tools...and trying to bias their opinion.
Now that I am in the 17...I sure am glad I didnt send this picture in!
http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
Congradulations, Dewalt will name you the winner based soley on the amount you have previously spent with them!
yessir, no subliminal there.
When's the voting commence?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Wow, is that the tools you bought with their money? Where did you buy them? On line, or your local dealer, or ... ?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Fast Eddie: Those are some of my DeWalt tool collection...way before I even entered this contest. My point was that I did not send that picture in when I entered the contest...
Stan
We are all posting pics of our projects now. This will be interesting following everyones project.
http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
you have this in the bag... just don't step down. BTW it might just be me, but many of the photos in the beggining weren't showing
I'm just sayin'
andy: I am not very computer literate. It took me 4 hours the outher night to figure out how to load my first photo. I wasn even smart enough to know how to ask the right question on how to do it. So I just stumbled around for hours trying this button...and that button...and finally figured out the maze I had to go through. I find it far easier to build a curved stairway than to properly display it on the internet.
I loaded a bunch of pictures last night that came up red x's....then figured out this morning what went wrong. Its all the guy on my keyboard trying to get into the computer age.
Stan
Stan, you have mastered uploading your pictures. You have far more to view than your competitors, and the quality of the pictures is great.
Excellent entry, Stan. The photos and captions really bring the project to life. Nice work.
BartHaving never met or seen you, I picked your photo from the Top 17 the first time. You must be a winner!
Bart: Thanks! Hey...everyone....I will need you all to look at the 17 projects...and all I ask is for you to vote for your favorite. Sure...I would love your vote...but ONLY if it is truly your choice! The public can vote once a day sometime around the end of November to Dec. 15th.
You can view the projects at http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
I have been busy and have never had a fire in my belly like this competition.
Stan
Stan I have been following your posts and they are awsome,I was in your area going thru on I74 and then back to 39 and north to WI. sure are some big cornfields. Just wondering when you find time to sleep because your time stamps on pictures start quite early and end very late. GOOD LUCK in the contest and all your endevaours.
,
I looked at about 6 other projects. I think 3 have not posted any pictures, one or two others ... the work was not even in the same ballpark with you.
One I looked at was a set of built-in bookcases. The work looked simple, but I was impressed with the way he added labels on the pictures to point out details. But his font selection was bad: all uppercase letters.
The one suggesstion I would make about your photolog is that for some reason the last word of the sentence seems to get separated from the rest of the sentence, and is down in the lower left corner."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Try "not even in the same solar system".
Unbelievable!!!!The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Ok, tomorrow the 24th is my deadline for posting final pictures of my stairway. It is stained and painted, and awaiting my installation of the iron balusters tomorrow. I had a scary moment last night. My computers hard drive crashed, and there is no way to get my information out that was in there, plus I would have to use someones computer tomorrow night. I went and bought a new laptop at BestBuys and am back in business again.
Anyway...you can see my stairs and the other 16 fine projects at http://www.dewalt.com/top17
I would appreciate your votes from Tuesday on, one vote a day per person till Dec. 15th.
Thanks Stan
You got my vote everyday. Its probably not your fault but its too bad the pictures are not in a progression order it makes it hard to follow, maybe theres too many pictures for them to handle properly? Your build threads come off much better here.
I admire your skill, I could never reach that level of accuraccy and precision, throw in the curves and im screwed. Congrats on another wonderfull job and a sure win in the contest : )
danno: They have my pictures in the right order now. I had to ask them a few times to get my pics in order. I was sending them in and their own dates that they put on my pics were not in correct order. Anyway, they asked us all to delete our first beginning picture and replace it with a finished one. They were concerned that many would not be patient enough to scroll through all the pages. I did post more and came up with 20 some pages, so I could indeed lose votes from the ones with dial up or no patience.
Thanks for the comments and I will post tomorrow night the final shots.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
That's good to hear, they probably weren't prepared for the onslaught of photos you have, looking at the others not too many pictures (a lot of not very good ones) and some with none at all. You've got an advantage just from your photo skills I think, let alone the technical stair master you are
danno: Thanks! I have always thought from the beginning that the person who markets their product well.....and more importantly, networks the best, will have a good shot at winning this contest. There are a couple projects that are nicely built, but rather simple...BUT...if their networking situation has them say working in a company with several thousand employees...that could make them get a lot of votes.
I am impressed with several entries, and I can appreciate their level of skill in building their project. This should be interesting to say the least.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Dont worry man you got it locked up. We start voting Dec 15 right?
KIDDING - I for one will be all over it on tuesday I get my computer time after kids in bed and itll be on my list, so you should finish with 20 (40 if your really gonna vote for yourself) in your favor anyways, thats not too bad. You just better hope they dont turn my cable off before the 15th or your screwed : ) Keep up the good work and thaks for taking the time to put it all together I really appricate these things. Maybe in a few years Ill have something of my own worth posting, I hope it gets to that point. Ive got big plans for myself just gotta convince the rest of the population! LATER-Dan Scott
I can't see why you won't win this one, you're a true master.
I'll vote for you. Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
"I could indeed lose votes from the ones with dial up or no patience."There is something to that!
It is a darn hard site to load to begin with because of the way they constructed it. Then the loggin procedure and getting back to a vote page...if it wasn't for you, I would have lost patience with it and forgot the whole thing.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I'm not sure... Is Joe the Plumber going to vote for you?
=)View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Thanks so much everyone! I just posted my last pictures...and thank god they loaded. My computers hard drive crashed Friday, and I was having troubles uploading tonight. Its over....and am I relieved!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
If you could throw a little cash my way, I can be bought...and actually I'm pretty cheap. :)
Seriously, your stuff looks great...as usual. I've been following your work since 2002, and you don't ever disappoint.
jamie
Hi Stan,
Can you ask the people at DeWalt to see if they can make the thumbnails of the contestants stay put ? If I click a thumbnail to view a contestant's work, the thumbnails get shuffled so it's hard to keep track of who i've seen.
Thanks and good luck
Just use your browser's back button to go back a screen. The contestant's photo of the project you just saw will be highlighted with a dotted yellow line. Pick the next guy, rinse, repeat.And, yes, they should have had a better way of dealing with that issue.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
Just letting everyone know the DeWalt site is accepting votes now. You just have to quickly register once...then you can vote 3 times each day for your favorite project.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
You got all my votes today Stan.I myself sent in a project but didn't make the final 17. At first I was a little pissed after seeing the work of some of the other finalists and thinking my stuff was better but when I saw your first post about making it into finals I knew who the winner was going to be and it wasn't me. Good luck.
Well, I was allowed to vote three times after registering.[ of course, for you],I will be watching the leader board and cheering you on. I was impressed by the pictures of your work that you have posted here before I met you at Peachfest this summer. After meeting you and hearing you speak about your projects, I must sat that you present yourself in your Dewalt blog just as you are in person: a humble proficient carp.Good luck and I will be doing my part to help you winChuck
Your entry looks just awesome! The years of practice and exposure here to how-to picture threads really shows in the quality of your presentation. And of course the work speaks for itself!
I agree with another poster - very annoying when the people keep moving around on the top strip - really hard to know when you've seen everyone's work.
Real reason I posted - I see you using the plumb bob to find the hole locations for the baluster. Cool, old school & all but I can't help but wondering if it wouldn't be faster & easier & maybe a touch more accurate to use a simple laser level. Somethig like this:
View Image
wrudiger: I do use a laser to locate my balusters...sometimes. In fact I am sure I have posted doing that years ago when I bought my laser. There is something aesthetic about a plumb bob. PHOTO OP!
Stan
The site has the vote buttons installed now...but they come up "error" when pushed. I would guess that they havent enabled them yet.
One exciting thing I noticed is there is a "leaderboard" button. That will make it interesting to view this till Dec 15th. It will be like watching a race.
I am going to be wearing out my welcome here asking for votes...but I am competitive, and now my work is done and all that is left to do is to competitively ask for your daily votes.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
You got my vote. I also voted for Sawdustshop, total room renovation. He's a local guy in town, he did a nice job too.
Just my daily reminded to visit http://www.dewalt.com/top17
and vote for your favorite.
The leaderboard shows 15 of us even....but I would guess it will eventually become uneven as all of us get different amounts of votes. There are two still at the bottom. I know the one guy never submitted any pictures...but the other has. Who knows?
You can vote 3 times right in a row each day till Dec. 14th.
Thanks all for the kind comments. I already have won something of higher value even if I finish dead last.
Stan
Well I got all my votes in for the first 2 days. Ill bet that leaderboard isnt real accurate, just a general idea, I bet itll keep in in suspense. I gotta say the deal with the you guys pics moving around everytime is real frustrating. I would be more likely to look over the others better if I could tell who Ive already seen, wheres the common sense anymore? I voted 6 for ya anyways, well gotta go fight the snow-good luck to you.
voted today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the support everyone.. I cant tell you how much I appreciate the votes.
Please visit http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view all 17 projects and vote for your favorite.
Stan
Leaderboard is still not updating!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Vote for Stan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ShMELESS PROMOTION FOR A bt GUY!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited 11/27/2008 10:53 am ET by frammer52
+3 for Stan, but no leaderboard"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
+3 more
Used up my 3 at 12:05 this morning then my other 3, then my other 3! I'm a big fan of "vote early, vote often".
Leaderboard shows everyone neck and neck....maybe that's to encourage more voting?
The leaderboard shows Mike from Bloomington, il with the lead. I am guessing that there must be a certain threshold number of votes to get to the next level.
Stan
As much as I'd like Stan to win, the voting system is flawed IMHO. It's too easy to cheat with the current system. First, you can register with a fake email address and then cast 3 votes per day for the same person with that same address. There is nothing preventing someone from creating 20 or even 50 fake accounts and then voting 3 times each day with each of them. Of course you need to have nothing better to do with your time to do this but it might be worth it depending on the prize.
To be fair, each registered account should be verified. And then, each account should only be allowed to vote once. If more than one vote is allowed on the same day, then it should not be permitted for the same contestant.
Having said that, and being aware of the flaws in the system, I might have voted for Stan with my 5 addresses :-)
I want to stay clean and ethical on this. Any votes cast my way that are on multiple accounts....please dont send them. It would be a hollow victory with no meaning to me at all.
I ask for everyone to view the 17 projects...and vote for your favorite, and just the 3 votes per day per person.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Thanks
Stan
Good on you for that. Some of my votes went to others as well. Mike's play kitchen is a nice project and deserves some votes for sure. But I still don't understand why DeWalt would allow multiple votes each and every day though.
I still don't understand why DeWalt would allow multiple votes each and every day though.
I wondered about that too. Maybe so you can vote for your favorite top 3 each day?
I really hate to be neg.
I have followed your work on BT and through this competition, and have nothing but the highest respect for you and your work.
But...
at this point, what a joke this competition is.
Right now a part time wood worker, who built three boxes, In someone's multi million dollar shop, slapped on a couple of post form tops, and screwed some hinges and doors on, threw in a few rev - a - shelf racks is in the lead??????????
The only way I would be impressed with that project is if it weren't FOR his daughter, but built BY his daughter.
I do appreciate your desire to stick to the rules - says alot about you. I am voting my 3/day and will continue to only do 3/day. No matter how this voting comes out ( I don't have much faith) You have the finest project in the comp.
Dewalt should be very careful how they handle this comp. It may blow up in their face in the end.
Yeah, the play kitchen is a really nice job, but it's ultimately just decorated cabinets. It's basic construction. Stan's stairs are beautiful art, mathematical wonders. I don't do curves, and most anyone can make a box.DeWalt would be poorly served to offer a play kitchen as the top job made with their tools.
Sure would be interesting to see the contestants build the other contestant's projects.
I'm bettin' Not one of the other guys could build Stan's.
I'm pretty sure Stan could build three boxes. Could Boxboy build a stair?
I think boxboy could build a straight stair OK, but Stans stair would throw him a big curve.I like boxboys pic of the festool sander. Didn't DeWalt give the contestants a sander? The only DeWalt tools I saw him use are the track saw and router. At least most of the other contestants used the tools given to them to build their projects.
Interesting, he's pimping his daughter to win a contest he failed at. http://www.truveo.com/Vote-for-my-DeWALT-Top-17-Finish-Carpenter-Contest/id/4098436809
I gotta quit lookin', the more I think of that project, the more pathetic it is.
Those finely crafted flat slab doors really set it off.
Guys: It boils down to I want to run an ethical contest.
I am not campainging for Stan, but am campaigning for all the 17 competitors at the DeWalt site.
I am asking each and everyone here to tell a friend, classmates, church congregation, fellow co-workers....etc. to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view ALL 17 of our projects. Dont ask them to vote for Stan, but to vote for their favorie project. There are many nice projects to vote for. I am sure my competitors and myself will get votes from this method, but then they are EARNED and not asked for cause you happen to be on the same forum with me. This in my simple mind keeps my contest actions ethical and if I place last, first or somewhere in between...I can hold my head up and say I kept it clean.
My profession of curved stairbuilding has been a blessing to me, and I wont jinks it by being unethical.
Thanks,..now please go out and campaign not for Stan, but for all of us 17 competitors!
Stan
I was just reading some comments directed at my competitors basically saying that I could build boxes but they couldnt build a curved stairway. I have to contest that...these fellow competitors are very talented. Some use machines I have never seen let alone operate. I have no doubt that if they were presented with a curved stairway that they could not dig down deep and find a way to build one. There are often stairs I have taken on that had challenging details that I had never done...but I knew with determination and what little percentage of brainwork I use that God gave me,..I would figure it out.
These fellow competitors just havent been presented with the challenge yet.
So, again...go spread the word about this contest. Dont ask anyone to vote for Stan..but to simply go to the DeWalt site and view all 17 entries and then vote for their favorite.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Stan, you underestimate yourself.
I agree with and applaude your ethics.
I agree that there are some neat projects and some talented people in the pool.
I just don't think ALL of them are.
When the most rediculous effort jumps to the front - my RADAR goes off.
Sorry.
I did not want to comment on this thread, because you know, if you don't have something nice to say.... However, I have to agree that seeing that kitchen set take the lead sets me off a bit. Almost everyone else, especially Stan, showed some real talent and craftsmanship. I bet if Dewalt runs this contest again, they better think of some rules to keep stuff like that out.
DeWalt sponsors the contest and sent each contestant a pile of portable power tools. In my mind, a project that is primarily produced on a stationary cabinet saw doesn't really show much skill. I have a couple half-wits at work that can turn on the saw and follow a cut list too.Edit: There are a couple projects that only show before/after pics, gotta wonder when/how those were completed.Enough cattiness for today!Vote Stan, vote often.Â
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The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
Edited 11/28/2008 10:15 am ET by FNbenthayer
3 more for you today Stan
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Unfortunately, this "contest" has little to do with skill, and everything to do with networking and advertising. Dewalt should be judging the projects, not some silly internet popularity contest, and they should be judging by site visit. A ton of poor craftsmanship can be concealed by good photography.
I do admire Stan for both his craftsmanship and his ethics.
Edited 11/28/2008 10:55 am ET by TomW
Dewalt should be judging the projects
They did decide who was in the Dewalt17. I think they didn't think it through how easy it is to cheat, if you were inclined.
everything to do with networking and advertising.
Well of course. It is a contest by one of the worlds biggest tool companies to provide exposure of their products. The more times you visit to vote, the more you see the logo.
I would not be surprised if they chose some simpler projects so that DIY's will think "Hey, maybe I could do something like that" and go out and buy a 300 buck cordless package. Just the timing of the contest to end during the biggest shopping season of the year has certainly been planned.
I am sure online voting was the major selling point of this marketing plan. Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
I think you have the essence of the contest spot on. Dewalt spent money to create interest in their product line. When you look at the people who were choosen, almost certianly a conscious effort was made to have a wide range of skill levels. Most here would likey agree that Stan has the highest skill level of the group. He should be and has been aplauded for his efforts. However if Dewalt had made a decision to find 17 of the very best in America it would be a much different group. I could find a dozen guys just in my market area who's craftmanship & skill levels are much more in line with what Stan does, not to mention all the furniture makers we have around here.If Dewalt had gone that route I suppect that most would-be garage carpenters might feel that they could never attain that level & be less inclined to buy to tools to try. So it would appear that they have some entry level contestants to make the would-be buyers feel that they could do that, up to Stan where they may feel that someday they might be able to do that.I hope Stan does win. If it were purly a mater of skill I don't see how it could be anything but. That being said Dewalt most likey put a good deal of thougt into the contest before they launched it- should be interesting to see what happens.
Edited 11/28/2008 6:02 pm ET by mathewson
Stan's tied for the top place (according to the leaderboard). I was able to push him up there with my second vote.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
BINGO!
Is there some easy way to navigate the site without spending hours looking at hundreds of photos. I'd probably be happy with some completion pics of each project. Then I'd take a closer look the ones that are most interesting... I looked though Stan's and that alone took me maybe 10 or 20 minutes.... And... I don't see how you see the voting results (by voting?). That horizontal "film strip" of faces seem to show up in random order each time I go back there by clicking on "leaderboard". That doesn't help at all. I guess I'm from the "I want it all and I want it now" generation. My guess is it wouldn't be possible to view the site without broadband...
Edited 11/28/2008 7:50 pm ET by Matt
This is getting fun now. Thanks guys for all the support. I have a good feeling inside that win or lose....I can look myself in the mirror and smile how I conducted myself. The fine comments here, and other sites, by telephone and e-mails from all over the country and several other countries has me feeling so fortunate to have tried getting in this group of 17. I will never forget it, and again...sure I would love to win...I said I was in this to win it....but I have already won more than I had imagined...and its not those fine tools DeWalt handed out to us all.
My networking must increase though. So I will beat the same drum....please contact as many friends and relatives that you can....direct them to the DeWalt site...please dont ask them to vote for me, but let them look at each project and vote for which ever one makes them feel a lot of care and passion went into it.
I feel that running a campaign for all 17 of us finalists helps DeWalt and I would think its more fair for the eventual winner.
So...go get as many people you can think of and send them to....
http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them vote for their favorite.
Stan
Edited 11/28/2008 7:52 pm ET by StanFoster
The kitchen guy is leading again.
For those who don't know the prizes:
The Winner
shall receive (i) a DeWALT Prize Pack, which has an approximate retail value of $4,280 and includes a Heavy-Duty 10†Job Site Table Saw (DW744X), Heavy-Duty 1.1 HP Air Compressor (D55154), Heavy-Duty 18V Hammerdrill/Impact Driver Combo Kit (DCX4230), Heavy-Duty 18V Cordless 16 Gauge Finish Nailer Kit (DC618K), Heavy-Duty 3†x 21†Variable Speed Belt Sander (DW433K), Heavy-Duty 13†Three Knife, Two Speed Thickness Planer (DW735), Heavy-Duty 3¼†Planer Kit (DW680K), Heavy-Duty Cordless/Chorded Worklight (DC022), and Heavy/Duty Worksite Radio/Charger (DC011); (ii) a Carharrt Gear Prize Pack, which has an approximate retail value of $600; (iii) a DeWALT Woodworking Accessory Kit, which has an approximate retail value of $500; and (iv) the DeWALT Race Experience, which has an approximate retail value of $400 and includes four (4) tickets and four (4) pit passes to the 2009 race of his or her choice (two months prior notice is required). Additionally, the Winner will be entitled to keep the Tools he or she received during the Contest, which have an approximate retail value of $1,676.
Each Runner-Up
will be entitled to keep the Tools he or she received during the Contest.
This is good entertainment for those watching in my opinion...and for me to be riding on the 2nd place horse...its real exciting! I decided to get out the spurs and start digging in. I am shy to ask for anything...and I am now calling everyone in my phone database to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view all 17 projects...and then vote for their favorite.
I have called two already this morning,..and both gave me the tone..."just ask me to vote for you" . To me, that has an edge to it...and I am just not wired to ask for a vote just because someone knows me. I want them to go to the site and pick their favorite. Then any votes I get are earned. I would much rather send people their and have them vote for one of the other fine projects...than just to blindly vote for me.
Sorry, but thats how I am wired, and I know I would get more votes by being aggressive about it... but I really wouldnt want nor deserve them that way.
I want to let my stairways stand on their own...no pun....ha.
Thanks everyone....now keep sending friends over to view the fine projects and vote.
Stan
three votes for you Stan,
Be as modest as you want Stan,but three mini cabinets ,although nicely done by a competent amateur, don't really compare to the scope and complexity of your stairs.
Maybe people just don't realize the deference in skill level. Vince Carbone
Riverside Builders
Franklin,NY
3 more today...
Good luck
3 more for you, Stan.
Come on guys, our man is in second!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Somehow i think the little voice making you feel guilty for asking people to vote for you will be drowned out by the noise all those power tools.
There nothing wrong with asking people to vote for you. Politicians do it all the time...and their a fine bunch, aren't they ? :-)
Hi Stan - 3 more votes from me today. I took about an hour last night and really went through the different projects. I'd looked at them before, but only briefly, and I must say that your stairs are really in another league. The effort that you've put into the pictures alone is worth something to me. It's easy to follow your project with your clear & fast loading photo's and as always your work is a pleasure to look at. I really hope you win.
As an unbiased and totally impartial Breaktime lurker, you got my 3 votes today Stan. I have watched your work and enjoyed your craftsmanship for several years, I was going to ask for a bribe, but hey you earned this! Good luck, I'm working my contact list for you and will introduce a few more craftsmen wannabes to your great work. I'll be back everyday for you too!
Experienced, but still dangerous!
I have been monitoring how long it takes the leader...Mike.. to get his next sawblade,,compared to myself. I figured as long as I stayed one behind for now...it was looking good. Just checked and Mike now has 5 sawblades...and I have 3. Looks like I am loosing through my pooree networking skills. I got to tell ya all though...this after completion and campaigning part is tiring....and I just am going to sit back and let my stairs end up where they just end up. I will daily plug a reminder to vote here...but I am shutting this computer off.
One last plea for some additional help. If everyone that can send as many viewers to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and still let them decide which project is the best to represent work of a Top Trim Carpenter.....then have them vote for that person.
Anyone having done so that wants to vote for me...and doesnt want to register...kindly sendy your e-mail address to me at [email protected] with your request to have your votes go for me....and I will see that its done.
If anyone else wants to receive e-mails and reduce my workload , please put your own request in another thread asking for viewers to view, decide, and if I am chosen as their favorite..send you their e-mail for you to plug in.
I am up against a networking genious and my hats off to him. I am only a trim carpenter, a proficient one at that, but a poor networker.
Thanks so much for the OVERWHELMING comments here, by e-mail, and by telephone. However I place....it will be with a winning atmosphere around me.
Stan
Stan,I haven't read every message in this thread, so pardon me if someone already explained this but ...Why might it be that no matter what screen I am on (leaderboard or your project screen), I can not vote for you?I repeatedly get this message:"We're sorry, but you must be a reigstered Dewalt.com user to participate in the Top 17 voting. Please login or register with Dewalt.com and try again" BTW, I am registered and logged in. I even logged out and back in several times to try to vote for you.However, I can go back to the leaderboard and, with a single click, vote for someone else. I tried to vote for you multiple times, and randomly mixed in a couple votes for some of those bottom guys just to see if it would work, and yep. What's up with that?Just letting you know there is something wrong there.
Stan, I erased all of my internet history/cookies/files and re-registered with my work email address and was able to vote for you from your project page. Still no go from the leaderboard though.Try it yourself. http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/leaderboard.aspx Even after I've exhausted my three votes, I get a different message trying to vote for anyone else than you: "You have used all of your votes for today. Please come back tomorrow and try again."Still get that not registered/logged-in message when I click on your face.Good luck. Your work doesn't need it, but you will dealing with that website. Edit: Well strangely it is working all of a sudden. go figure.
sorry.
Edited 12/2/2008 12:13 pm ET by Righty_Tighty
Three more for ya!
I think you're right, let that guy get his mom to
call all her church groups to help him win.
You, have run an excellent race. your work speaks for itself and you should relax and enjoy the ride.
Guys: I am content with my effort...and your effort helping me. I have already won having all these nice comments behind me. I will NOT whine no matter the outcome....and wiil move on with my head high...and a smile knowing I gave it my best shot. I have new goals to pursue...I have a bunch of helicopter parts coming in a week...so I will have my hands full this winter.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17 keep sending people and let them decide they vote for.
Stan
I will persistently keep plugging for everyone to go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and view and then vote for your favorite.
If you have chosen my project...and you dont want to have the hastle of voting...please send me your e-mail to me at [email protected] and I will see that your votes are maximized to their full potential!! Thanks everyone for sending along such fine comments my way here on this forum and the others I frequent. Those are far more valuable collecting than a first place finish....but of course all 17 of us want to win.
Stan Foster dual curved stairway entry
Hey Stan, I had a thought.
Last night my wife asked me about the contest again. One of my kids was in here and she asked me to show him your project real quick. I went to the site, clicked on you, hit view project, And scrolled down to the first pic (looking up). Then it goes right into the construction phase. I knew I would have to go thru about twenty pages to get to the finished pics and said screw it.
Just a thought - you may want to put a coupla more finished pics up front.
Edit -
Just dbl checked, that's a cool pic - but I already know what the project looks like. If I didn't already know, it wouldn't be very clear what you did.
.02
Edited 12/3/2008 9:17 am ET by mhole
mhole; I am asked that a lot...but the 17 of us lost access to our journals at midnight the 24th. Once voting began the next day...I feel their decision to not let any of us mess with our presentation was a wise one.
I will just let my stairways stand on their own...God,,I hope they dont fall in!! ha,,,,and I will let them do the climbing.
Keep sending new blood to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and have them vote for the one project that they feel best defines what a top finish carpenter would do.
Stan
nothing to do now then - but VOTE.
bump
mhole: Could you do me a big favor? I am not on the computer till late tonight...if I happen to receive my 5th sawblade today...I would like to know roughly when I received it. That will give me an indicator if I am gaining on Mike.
Please send me an e-mail which I can get all day on my cellphone to [email protected] or you can call me at 217-419-4967....I would love to talk to you anyway!
Thanks
I would be more than happy to, but, I got some site work to do today. Won't be able to check in as much as usual lately.
Now that you posted it though I'm bettin' someone will help out.
If some kind soul does catch it and reports to Stan - Please post here that you did so that not everyone keeps calling him thinking they are the first to see it.
Stan... i just cast my daily 3 votes ( 9:30 EST )
at that time you had 4 and he had 6....
what a joke......
I wonder what his support network is
it must be really depressing for the other 15 contestantsMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
11:50 EST and you've got your 5th sawblade. I'll drop you an email to let you know as well.cheers - mark
12:14 PM, ESTStan is at 5 and doughnut boy is at 6.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Bump...
Did you vote today?
Just finished for today.
VOTE NOW!
Stan,
i think you may want to check to see if the votes you are casting from other email addresses are really going through. Every time I look at the dewalt site I have eligibility to vote so I do, was leaving the voting to you. Nice project, if the other guy wins, must be chads hanging on the ballots.
shell- I entered yours and it wouldnt go through.
Stan
I've voted for you all three of my votes for the last 4 or 5 days. Your work is outstanding and isn't even in the same realm as let's say a play kitchen. ;-) The technical and asthetic aspects of your work are incredible and speak for themselves. Perhaps your building prowess is beyond the understanding of the typical hobbiest/layman, and they can't relate. I for one am impressed, and appreciated reading your story. I think it is truly wonderful that you have found and fostered the joy in your work. I'm still searching myself, but I think if the rest of us could find our "right" work like you, the world would be a much happier and healthier place.No matter what the outcome of the contest, you're the best! Take it from those that know here on BT.Keep on Believin'
Ott
stan,if we all vote a whole lot,and you win all those tools,do you supose you would have the tools that you could trim that shop door out? just messing with you cause we all have the same "i need to get to that sometime in our shops"
evrytime i see that i gotta smile,thats the classic barbers kid always needs a haircut.
don't be shy asking for someone to vote for ya. if you had built a wooden box that wasn't square that would be one thing.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
alwaysoverbudget....Hey...if I trimmed that opening out in my shop, then I would always be over budget! ha...couldnt resist.
Keep voting at http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Just voted.No contest. IMO
I perused ALL the projects and you get my Honest and Fair votes as being the most worthy of all, yes, there is some predjudice being as we are BT buds, but...you win hands down, in my book.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
In my opinion, you won on the job you did, even if you lose on the number of votes received.Someone needs to recruit all the booted out breaktimers to vote. That might push you over the top.You got my 3 votes again today.
My sunday vote is now in, 3 for Stan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Man that kids project is still leading.
Edited 11/30/2008 10:31 am ET by frammer52
That kid must have a lot of relatives.
I have been thinking that I have lots of email addresses. Maybe it is time to unleash!
I will repeat my offer.....anyone sending me an e-mail address...and having chosen my project...I will be glad to see that the votes are turned in. I already had one such fine offer...and will be using it for 3 votes a day starting tomorrow.
Its a horse race....and I need my third sawblade!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Thanks again...you people are awesome.
Stan
This request for e-mail addresses sent to me with pre-aproval for me to vote with is working!
Please send any e-mail addresses that have people behind them that chose my project to my e-mail... [email protected]
I will save you a lot of hastle as I type in legitimate votes.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Your skills are great, but your attitude and humility are even greater. Really a shining example of what we should aspire to be. That said if that play kitchen wins it wont be because its a better project, and I will personally start a dewalt boycott forever.
What hes done is nice but to undermine true craftsman with some weekend warrior craft time is a joke. How could a company stand behind an entry of a play kitchen when they want to sell to us? I hope all things right themselves and you come out where you belong - on top hand down.
danno: Just to be fair to Mike who is leading....There are other projects he has built that clearly shows more craftsmanship. He has the tools and knows how to use them. One tool in this competition is networking.
I just want to let my stairways stand on their own...gosh..i sure wouldnt want them to fall! ha
Thanks for the kind words and all I can say I am trying to work on my networking. Please get as many friends to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and let them vote for their favorite.
Stan
Another Vote of head and shoulders superiority here!!Stan, yes the others are goodbut your work is top notch!!!you are may not be the guy who built the divine stairway, but the curved stair league is like "the Show" and the rest of those guys are in the AA leagues ...now if there is a wooden boat builder in the competition then you would have something to sweat about!!One thing that I did notice, maybe you have said something already, is all the Jorgenson Clamps!!!it you win You might get a tractor trailer load of Dewalt clamps!!!I know if I were running Dewalt you would!!!good luck (even tough you don't need it).
.
"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
now if there is a wooden boat builder in the competition then you would have something to sweat about!!
I think there were only three categories allowed: cabinets, stairs, and mantles.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
to make you feel good on the integrity issue - I vote only 2-3 times a day for you and occasionally make a vote for somebody else when I think their work is notable.but I really have not yet found one whose work comes close to yours.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I really don't think any of the other projects are in the same league with our stan, and have been voting accordingly.
I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't come out on top in the comp.
BTW, how's things in Fla?The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
She gets eye surgery for cataracts tomorrow.
has moved from the nursing to the independent living section in a nice sized apt so she has more of her stuff from home now.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Very good sir. She's lucky to have you.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Piffin- Thanks for your comments...coming from you means a lot to me. Plus...all the other comments I have received here and on my rotarywing site already has made a winner out of me even if I place last in this contest. I have won something far more valuable than a title or another van load of tools. The opinions of my workmanship and most importantly of my attitude and ethics makes me realize I have chosen a winning path thru life even if its not endorsed with some title or tool offering.
I just will keep plugging for everyone to send as many people as you can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for the project that they feel exemplifies being a Top Trim Carpenter project. I am confident my stairways will stand on their own.
Stan
;-)
Stan,
As everyone else, I'm blown away by your work.
As a DIYer who can't cut a miter after much thought and measuring...it's still backwards, you amaze me with the curves, etc.Voting for the others would be a terrible mistake..what is it they offer compared to you?Pete
I listened to your plea for an objective and fair vote.
In all honesty, Stan you do work that leaves me wondering if I'll ever "get there".
To create such beautiful things with the most basic of tools and
be all the while absolutely functional is something to be held
in high regard.
So, you get my vote and personal thanks for sharing what you do. Chuck
Stan,
As always - it's a delight to see your pictures shared here on BT of your work. (I admit to wondering - out of sheer curiosity: hmmm - wonder what the final load bearing capacity of that flight of stairs is?, when I view them...but that's after I'm done with the wondrous eye candy emotional reaction to what I've viewed. <g>)
I have gone to the posted Dewalt URL and when I click on "view Project" I get a "runtime error" msg - regardless of how many contestants' I click on... And I AM a registered dewalt website member!
ANY advice?
Clara
"Is it February yet?"
There seems to be something wrong with the website, samething happens to me, and I have been voting everyday Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
Site is up!!
Vote now!
Stan's back to within one sawblade of round boy!
Let's get those votes in y'all!The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Just checked.
TIED!
wtg Stan
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
Edited 12/9/2008 8:49 am ET by Scrapr
Let's finish this now guys! No way we can look ourselves in the mirror if we let Stan lose now. Vote early and often. Get the word out.
Go Stan!Naive but refreshing !
BUMP
Just made my daily vote and Stan is tied for top.
As always Stan, your work is great.
Mitchhttp://www.freewebs.com/glenndalepedalplane/
I just tried it again and VOILA! I got in, and got my three votes in for Stan's project (note I said for Stan's PROJECT - not for Stan...that oughtta get me a smile outta him!)
I've no idea what was kerplooey with the dewalt site before but I'm gonna make sure I get my 3 votes in daily up thru the 14th!
STAN'S STAIRS rule!
"Is it February yet?"
Stan,
You know that as a DIYer, I'm not able to hold a candle to most any of those contestant's work...but that doesn't mean I don't know good work when I see it.
And for years now, since knowing of your abilities via your shared photos here on BT, I've been thinking of you every time I see a nice set of stairs somewhere, that makes me think of you and all the effort and ability it takes to making them a reality (remember - I posted the stairs in Larnoch Castle, New Zealand, photos?)...
So anyway - there IS some good work by the others in the competition but your stairways stand treads and risers above them all.
Clara
"Is it February yet?"
Clara- A big thank you for your comments. We all have our areas of expertise...and believe me...I see many areas well covered on this site that I am not an expert. But thanks for the kind comments...coming from you that means a lot.
Stan
Just a "bump" to bring this thread back to the main board. Stan, I emailed you a week ago to ask you to cast my votes, but I've logged in every day and voted for you three times. I wonder if your emil might filter out unsolicited commercial email ? I use my work email a lot, and it's a large, recognizable corporation.If you have a "filtered mail box" you might have others there.Luck !Greg
Bump
When I voted EARLY today, you and the other dude were neck and neck with 7 sawblades...
Something just doesn't seem right about that!
"Is it February yet?"
mizshredder- Thanks for the continied votes! Much appreciated! It will be over Sunday then I can get back to normal thinking....oh no...that scares me.
Everyone, keep sending as many to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 to look over the many projects all deserving to be on top, then vote to keep them there or move someone else up!
Stan
I'm afraid the sawblade band we are in right now has 500 or 1000 votes, so the spread could still be wide.
Vote, people, Vote!
Send emails, this is about networking and getting enough viewers on Dewalt's site.
They will make the right decision based on the quality of the project and let the chips fall where they may!
Email you builder's association, etc.
Post it on boards you frequent.
Let's bump this one more time.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=109
Click here you go to Stan's project.
Let's keep voting for Breaktimes' own, Stan Foster!
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
bump
still tied
i notice one picture blank. must be the guy that dropped out/resigned
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
Saw that too...maybe Stan will fill us in on the trus story when this is all said and done...
Must have been a slow load or something, I see 17 pix, even loaded your link and got 17. Maybe he went to the bathroom or something (;-)For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
One has to wonder how Stan suddenly caught up. Maybe the toy kitchen guy figured out a way to use his computer skills to generate automatic votes, then got caught. It would be interesting to see the actual number of votes rather than sawblades."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
There are excellent projects just waiting for your votes over at http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Vote and have a chance at some DeWalt tools for doing so.
Stan dual curved stair entry
Bump...
Last Day...Make sure you wake your friend and neighbors up to help Stan seal up his win....
Did you know Kitchen Mike has joined our ranks? Seems like a good guy too.
113906.4 Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
yeah.... no longer an "other"Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Yeah, but not enough of "one of us" to vote for. ; ^ ) Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
What happened to his post?
It is really quite ironic. The welcoming thread got moved to the tavern, and probably even he can not read the thread. Here is a paste and copy...
Hi everybody. Stan pointed me here as a place he has visited for years. You guys have an awesome site.
and...
My belief will not choose the final winner. I won the day my daughter saw the kitchen complete for the first time and started cooking pretend food. That is what I wanted for my project and that was wanted long before the Dewalt signup for the contest EVER began. The fact my kitchen project was selected by Dewalt was just amazing.
I have always said that my favorite completed Woodworking entries in the contest are the stairs by Stan, the office remodel by Brad, and the trusses. If I was not in the comp those would be where my votes went each day routinely. In fact I have voted for these three plus the charity remodel.
I am not here to be negative. I appreciate everyone here, their opinions, and want to be respectful to the members, site owners, and mods. Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
I thought the new regime was opening the Tavern to everyone....Not that I visit there, but...
I guess that is the plan, but it has not been carried through. Or has it? Can you go there if you want? Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
back in the early days the tavern used to show up for me but not for a long time sounds like not the place to be lately though :)
It's been tamed now. But the bouncers don't talk or listen. Goof up and you get the boot to the moon.
So it looks like the voting has ended. Now what? When will we heard who they picked as the winner?
yep, voting is done, we are on the ready to break out the champagne or the heavy liquor
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Hun,...you just kill me sometimes...
lol
Well, the sun rose... in so many colours it nearly broke my heart... Worked me over like a work of art...and I'm all part of that...
Hey! What are you still doing up?
Get to bed!
(You need your sleep more than you know.)
Well, the sun rose... in so many colours it nearly broke my heart... Worked me over like a work of art...and I'm all part of that...
you get grape juisce boy!!and don't go trying no phony ID bs the beertenders here tarp as a shack!!.
.
"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
haha, lol. you guys always here to keep me in check
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
hey stan 6:23 dst monday morning i got 3 more votes in, maybe that will put you over the top.
I was up around 2:30, got one vote in, then couldn't place any more.Greg
i got three in right now, did it by clicking the link of the you have voted page here: http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/vote.aspx?projectID=109
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Hey I put another three in!EVERYBODY VOTE AGAIN!!!!
.
View ImageSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Killed two things at once... not bad!
thats how good the dewalt site is,9:15 monday,i just got to vote again,whats up with that.
must be a reason i'm not that sold on yellow,if they build tools like they build a website.if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I only have one DeWalt tool, (other than accessories). It's the biscuit joiner, which seems OK, but it doesn't get much use. But the website is bad all around.
i don't know if they are counted though....you'd think counting the votes would be instantaneous is their servers kept track of the votes coming in....
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Yeah, the whole website thing has been fishy.
yes
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
The webmaster probably already wrote down the tally and ran off to report it to the boss, and forgot to turn off the counter, still letting it run wild
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
What the h##l? No news yet? This is taking time away from me b####n about the weather!
I just checked and STAN WON!!!!
Here it is http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/
hey, cool !Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I just took a quick glance at the website and see no indication the comparative results are offered. If I was a contestant I would be bummed if I didn't get to see how the tally for each competitor compared.Does anyone else see results for each contestant?Congratulations to Stan for a well deserved and very honorable first place!Karl
Congratulations Stan!A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Great job Stan, keep the project post coming! No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
WOO HOO!
When's the payola start?
You know I'm kidding, right?
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Congrats, Stan.Refresh my memory, would ya? What exactly was it that ya won?
Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just whipped out a quarter? [Steven Wright]
A hearty slap on the back to you!Be careful celebrating in that Rotormobile now!
;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Awesome.
Congrats, Stan.
you have far too many tools
FORK THEM OVER!!
I'm just sayin'
WOW!!You use all thiose Dewalt tools and STILL produce Top notch stuff??I guess the saying about "it's the craftsman not the tool" is right!!:O).
.
"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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.
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
Fasteddie: I took your suggestion and added some text to my last picture. Thanks...I need all the help I can get.
I also will be adding inside shop video soon. I experimented and just posted a stairshop flyover in a helicopter I was flying.
Keep checking on our projects at...
http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
How do you vote, or when does the voting start?
Stan we met at peach fest I'm the guy who built a spirial stair like the one you post on the dewalt site all from being inspired by your post i admire your skill and ingenuity your work is far surperior to the other finialist your humbleness is to be commended as well Good Luck!
The staircases look great Stan. Best of luck in the contest!I see on the one side of the staircase you are securing the tread from underneath with wedges and glue. How are you securing the other side of the tread?cheers - mark
Mark: I pocket screw and glue the inside of the treads to the stringer.
Mike, thanks for the comment. I have to be humble... for I know there are far better stairbuilders, and cabinete makers out there. I just happened to have entered the contest...and like they say...you must enter to win her.
Stan
Edited 10/27/2008 9:06 pm ET by StanFoster
Edited 10/27/2008 9:07 pm ET by StanFoster
Absolutely beautiful work!!!! Amazing that you can do all of that with such minimal tools, your skills are awesome.
Stan -
A question for you if you don't mind...
Regarding the curved bullnose step, am I understanding your notes correctly that you're using a router (?) to plow away material down to 1/16th inch for that last 3 feet or so that gets glued to the plywood form?
Just curious to learn from a master. :)
Seriously, your stuff looks incredible...I think you're on track for winning this thing.
Jamie
Jamie: Thanks for the kind comment about the contest....and I have said repeatedly that I am not a master at my trade....just proficient. I have seen too many examples of superior work....and I am striving to get to their status someday.
I do mill down the back of the riser material ...leaving 1/16 inch approximately...then wrap it around a drum form that has construction glue applied like I was putting icing on a cake. The riser has a full thickness section left on its end where I drive folding wedges behing to tighten the laminate section around the drum. It is almost orgasmic watching the process! ha
Anyway...this method does not produce the telltale micro kinks sometimes visible when I would kerf the back of the riser instead. The riser technically bends only at these kerfs making it more faceted than round. If I am not careful sanding out these facets...then a shiny finish and a the right angle of lighting gives my kerfs away.
Stan
Hey...I was just thinking.... I have had several having troubles loggin on to the DeWalt site and figuring out the registration.
If anyone here has viewed the projects...and truly thinks my stairways deserve a vote....and want to save a lot of time...just e-mail me at [email protected] and I will do it for you. This serves a few purposes...it save you time...I guarantee I will use your votes everyday!!! and most importantly the project you want voted for will get voted for.
I am trying to improve my networking this way.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Now change the rear rotor into a 12" DW Blade.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I had never seen the monument sign ... very nice.
Why do you place the laser so close to the studs?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Any carpenter that flies to a job in a helicopter is definately a force to be reckoned with!
Thanks guys. I have been putting in big days. On top of all this...I am building an addition to my stairshop. Its been a crazy fall, but I am enjoying it.
Keep checking in at http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
Great Progress pictures Stan.
If I can ask you a question about your business...Do you bid on your stair jobs, or are you just "The Guy" that everyone taht needs curved stairs calls and they pay your invoice at the end? I am just amazed at the quality of work and the obvious time spent in the creation of each. I don't know how you even begin to give an estimate for the entire process, from layout, measuring, building,delivering and installing.
Thanks again for the incredible thread!
Mike: I bid on each one...I try to make a good living...but also try to keep my prices reasonable by staying efficient.
Stan
Stan,I've been looking at your pics and looked at about 7 of the other guys...honestly, you are up at another level, from what I've seen so far.It will be fun to see how this turns out.Cheers,Brian
Brian, I agree with you Stan is head and shoulders above his compition on this one somethings rigged if the guy doesn't win!
Guys: I appreciate the encouraging view you have of this competition. Anyone can win with good marketing and more importantly.,, networking. All I can say is I will not have any regrets for not trying very hard to do the best I can. I can and will accept whatever position I end up in...even if its 17th! We all have already won in my opinion.
Of course I want the cherry on the cake...but I have been eating my cake enjoying this anyway.
Stan
I have been fighting weather to get these stairs installed. I woke up at 4:30 and checked my Pilot-My-Cast on my cellphone and could tell I had about a 4 hour window to get to Peoria. It takes over 2 hours to drive. So here I am with two stairways on my trailer, and had to back into a soup hole that was on a slope. My 4-wheel drive just wouldnt push it back any farther.
I commodered a skid loader and he pulled me back on in. I then drafted a bunch of people...who later were very well paid..to help me get these behemuths at least inside the house.
After that was done...I settled in and prepped for both stairs. We then took about 10 guys and lowered the basement in first, then the 2nd story one. The both fit like pistons and stuff likes this furthe reinforces why I love this profession.
My worst and best day of stairbuilding are always the day I set a stair in place. I am a little aprehensive wondering what curves life will throw me ....then when it fits I am elated.
Here are some pictures ,....at least I have the DeWalt stairs filling that ugly big hole now.
http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
Beautiful as always Stan.
Quick question, you must use a fair amount of sandpaper, do you like 3M , Norton , Klingspor or None of the above? I am not fond of Mirka at all, and was stictly using 3M with the foil/mylar and gold grit ( 5" PSA) , recently I have discovered that Norton is pretty good stuff, I got a bunch from Nikkiwood here, when I got his sander.
What say you?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
BRING BACK SPLINTY.
Sphere: I like 3M.. and some other brand I buy at woodworking shows. The name slips me rigth now. The other day I went to Lowes just to pick up some as I had run out. I bought some gator grip.....it sands ...but it doesnt last near as long.
Stan
Thanks, I like to compare notes and always keep an eye open for something better. I am not a fan of sanding any more than I have to, and it seems to have gotten quite a bit more expensive recently.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
BRING BACK SPLINTY.
I have to admit that those photos of the installation brought up some real eye watering emotion. Beautiful shape and fine work from a dedicated craftsman. The finite meeting the infinite, right before our eyes.
And after today, all those old jokes about Peoria won't fit anymore. :-)
I can breathe now. I have the railing all run except for a 40 inch length of curved rail on the 2nd level. I am going to layout and drill for the iron balusters Monday...and put in all the steel studs in the belly of each stairway for the plasterers.
My stainman is going to stain...then tape off everything and then spray the stringers and risers.
I asked him if there is anyway I can have the stairway on Mon. the 24th .,,which is my deadline. I would like to get the iron balusters in...and the stairs uncovered for final pictures.
Actually...I was careful on my project description stating that the finish was NOT part of the project and that I could not guarantee this being done in time for the final installation of the iron balusters.
Here are some pictures from yesterday. I set all the rails in place...and joined the foyer curved rail. The curved landing tread being milled in the first two pictures is now secured in place at the home.
I absolutely still get goosebumps over my profession. Thanks everyone for the interest in this contest.
Please keep checking in at http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
I am having some issues with my posts being placed out of order sent in. I am trying to have this corrected at DeWalt.
Stan
Does voting start next Monday?
I absolutely still get goosebumps over my profession.
Nope, you get goosebumps over the way you do your work. There are too many hacks in the stairbuilding profession."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Stan,Do you have any shots of the steel studs on the underside? I know it's not glamorous, but I'm curious to see how that all goes together.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Eddie: My deadline is Mon the 24th. Voting starts on the 25th thrut Dec 15th...one vote per person per day is allowed.
Jon: I am putting in the steel studs in the bellies of both stairways Monday and will post pictures. I have some 2 x 6 blocks already cut to go on the outside skirtboard right under each tread and riser. The steel studs are all pre-fabbed , cut to length and have tabs on them to screw to these blocks and the inside stringer beam. It works real slick as these steel studs twist from the steeper pitched inside stringer to the lesser pitched outside stringer.
I will post pictures Monday night.
Stan
"one vote per person per day is allowed."You do know how this board messed with Pete Draganic's run for gouv?
I figure that we can load the vote!!!!!
Voting starts on the 25th thrut Dec 15th...one vote per person per day is allowed.
Not that you haven't already planned for this but please begin a new thread on the 24th, reminding everyone here to vote, with instructions on how to do it.
Just out of curiosity, even if you say that the finishing is not part of your submission, will they accept it if the finishing is done by someone else ? Wouldn't want you to get disqualified over a technicality like that.
Chuck: I just am making it clear that I do not apply finish to my work. My project is just the building the stairway.
Its like Brad McFarlands excellent den makeover. He had the granite tops farmed out, and that was fine as he made it clear upfront.
Stan
I havent loaded these pictures yet on the DeWalt site...so here is a sneak preview.
These pictures show the situation I have where the curved level foyer rail connects from the top newel of the basement stair to the bottom newel of the main stairs.
The rail intersects the sloping profile of the newel post. I took a contour gauge and marked the profile of the newel at the exact top of this intersection....then did the same at the bottom of the rail and did a contour clone of that intersection. I measured the two different diameters...the top was smaller of course, and took one half the difference. This difference was my offset distance for me to adjust when I placed the contour gauge on the top...then placed the larger diameter contour on the bottom of the rail.
I now had two half circles to "hack" out sloping cuts to but not across. I just did this with a jig saw...then chopped the waste out with a chisel. I then followed up with a Dremel took with a fluted cutter....then a small drum sander to sand a nice tapered cylinder profile. I actually under cut a little between the top and bottom as this wont show. It fits nicely...but there is one small chip out that can be seen in the early photos. After I sanded the rail to fit the newel...this chipout was almost gone. No...I am not perfect!
Keep checking in at http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
Edited 11/16/2008 7:56 am ET by StanFoster
Well, you got there by golly. (G)
Have you not tried the Lancelot or similar chainsaw disc on a grinder? They are not as scary as you'd think, very controlable actually. You can finess very accuratly.
That log staircase I did in Ark. was almost all coped , every where..after awhile it becomes second nature to just whittle and eyeball everything.
Not pickin on your way, just offering up another idea.
Good luck, I'll be votin!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Sphere: Hey...I know what tool you are talking about and I remember you posting about it. I am sure it would be a better tool to use.... Thanks for reminding me about it,,,,I think I will check into it. Isnt it the little wheel that basically is a chainsaw chain wrapped around it?
Stan
Exactly. Easy to sharpen, and very handy. Ya stick it on a cheap grinder and off ya go. IF you don't file the depth gages down as you file the cutters ( just like a chainsaw) it won't be an aggressive cut, just kinda grazes along and leaves a remarkable surface.
In YOUR hands it would be a very safe tool, in some other folks that are timid, or scared, or totally new to wood removal tools, it could be a bad thing.
A little practice and off ya go. It does work best on softer woods, but I surfaced some of my ancient white oak logs with it, and had sparks coming off it on the really hard stuff.
Scares the hell outta folks if they never saw one before..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
I have one week to go for the deadline! I put the steel studs in the bellies of the stairways today,,,and layed out and drilled for all the iron balusters. The finish guys are going to stain and paint it the rest of the week...5 guys. Then I have next Monday, my deadline day to get the balusters in.
Stan
Cool.
I still wanna see the ladder/scaffold set up you use to reach up and screw in the steel studs.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Sphere: I didnt take a picture of it....but it was nothing but two 2 x 6's spaced so they are one riser high. I just simply placed this on the lower step, the leg of my stepladder sat on this and the other leg was on the next step. It was just a simple box.
Stan
10-4, I like K.I.S.S.
I have a window to work on above a circular case and wonderd how the heck I can get to it..but its plenty more higher than what you had there.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Sphere: I dont have a picture...but it was just two 2 x 6's screwed into a rectangle that was one riser height. This little box just simply was under one leg of my stepladder while the other leg of the stepladder was on the next step.
Stan
Only 14 days of voting left.
Please go to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for your favorite!
If you want to vote for my project , but dont want the hassle of doing so daily...I will gladly except your e-mail address and do the finger pecking for you! I have had several do this for me...and I have a growing consistent voting base.
You can e-mail me the addresses to [email protected]
Thanks so much for considering all the projects...
Stan
You're up to three blades.
That site is really goofy.
I have to open in a seperate tab and close it each time I vote - it wont let me vote three times for you unless I close and re open.
Wonder if that is messin' with some people. Ponytyl asked over at QT if he could vote three times. Now I wonder, if he is not able to just vote three times in a row also.
???
Bump.
You can easily vote for the same project every day by bookmarking this link :
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/vote.aspx?projectID=109
Once on that screen, you can just hit 'refresh' and it will vote again for the same project. The above link is for Stan's project, but you could replace the projectID on the end with another project # if you want to vote for someone else.
Good luck Stan!
Have you found a way to stay logged in on their site?
After I registered and confirmed my registration it has not asked for me for my username and password since. I'm using Firefox 2.0 with no special settings.cheers - mark
just cast my votes for today and it looks like Stan is tied for the lead. Vince Carbone
Riverside Builders
Franklin,NY
Vince: I didnt believe your post as I have been trying to get that third saw blade for a long time. My voter base is increasing daily...and I will wear my welcome out here...but this is a horserace.
Everyone,,,please send as many as you can to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for the project that they feels best exemplifies Top Trim Carpenter.
Stan
Stan
I just started a post for you over at the Knots site. You should go over and introduce yourself. Mike the kitchen guy is on every message board on the web.
"Mike the kitchen guy is on every message board on the web"Doesn't look like he missed any donut shops either.
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.- Fyodor Dostoyevski
OOo OOO.
are you tellin' me he's really there?
He checks in?
Where do we find him?
Screen name?
I got a coupla questions.
There are several others in this contest that have my respect. One is Doc Holliday. Another is Brad McFarland. Yet another one is Jim Butz. These three have been my favorite...and two of them have earned ,,,and I mean EARNED their two sawblades. Jim Butz has the wrapped trusses and I think those were really nice. These guys present themselves well also.
http://www.dewalt.com/top17 to keep viewing and voting for what project you feel exemplifies Top Trim Carpenter status.
Stan
http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?action=printpage;topic=5673.0
And Mike the kitchen guy now has 4 saw blades
And here http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=97539'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
Some of the posts were pretty brutal to him, and agree thatthere is better work out there...
"Mike, Congratulations on you selection and build. I looked at all the projects and have to say yours has the cutest kid video as well as a great play kitchen for her. From a sentimental point I want to vote for your project, but in reality there were much nicer and complex projects which showcased the craftsmanship and talents of their builders. The Fireplace surround with storage crafted by Doc Holiday and donated to the Bullock Hope House for cancer treatment children and families also was my sentimental favorite. Two entries which I feel stand above the others as far as craftsmanship and skill are the Entertainment Center built by Kostas and my favorite is the stairs built by Stan Foster. His craftsmanship and skill shown in his project summary and final product is truly a work of art. "
"Mike, Nice job on the play set, I'm sure your daughter will enjoy it for years.However, I take exception to your blog. I looked at all of the entries and quite frankly there are much better projects than yours. Some of those guys do it for a living, and I'll bet work just as many hours as you do.It sound to me like your upset that the professional woodworkers submitted a real project and you truly know that your project comes in short. Is this contest being judged on the finished product? or just how many votes you can rally?A couple of the guys never finished, but they are still getting votes? What does that say the real winner at the end? Like i said, you did a nice job, but it really isn't the best and if you were to win at the end it just says to me, the whole contest was a joke!I'm sure your a nice guy but, honestly there is much better work than yours.MKM"
He says that he is a part time, yet he has a shop that would make most pros envious.
Edited 12/1/2008 10:03 pm ET by MikeRyan
Check him out if you want to. But remember this isn't about him, it's about Stan winning this thing because he has earned it.
Pictures of the Hobby Farm and Shop are here. Pics updated.
I have been asked a few times how many votes a sawblade takes to obtain.
Good question and one I wanted answered as well,,,so I called DeWalt today and talked to one of the head men that run this contest. He told me that the first sawblade just takes one vote. The second sawblade takes many more but he would not reveal the number. The third sawblade takes even more votes than the 2nd...then the rest of the blades are the same.
I told him that explains why with an ever increasing voter base, it took me a lot longer to get my 3rd blade. He then said that DeWalt is just about to start a nationwide advertising campaign that will bring in many more to the voting pool. He said its mainly just friends and relatives now..but that will soon change.
I feel this will level the playing field for all of us. This should not be a popularity contest of the person behind the project..but a popularity contest of the project....IMHO.
I welcome the leveling of the playing field. Part of me just wants to log off, let my stairs stand on their own...and come back Dec 15th. I can EASILY accept losing with the scores of almost unanimous in tone comments I have received here and elsewheres.
Just keep sending em over to http://www.dewalt.com/top17 and vote for their favorite.
Stan
Stan,I just started threads at JLC and Contractors Talk Forums about the Dewalt 17 and put a plug in for you.All the best,Brian
basswood: Thanks....much appreciated!
http://www.dewalt.com/top17
Stan
Stan,Glad to help.You commented yesterday, that those timber stairs I built looked strong enough to support an elephant...then today, on the drive home I heard a song by the Band REM called "Pushing an Elephant Up the Stairs."http://tour.remhq.com/content/pushing-elephant-stairs-rem-live-perugiaI thought that sometimes we have to do that kind of thing.Keep pushing,Brian
I went and voted for my favorite- it was you. 3 from me 4 u.
Is that the customer in 561?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Eddie: This is the customer with myself.
Is the casing going to hit the underside of the stairs in the last pic?
natedaw: No...they are going to make some kind of nice cased opening...maybe arched there. That hole is just wild till I set the stairs.. They will adlib it and put in something nice.
Stan
Stan,
Instead of steel studs, why wouldn't you use track instead? It doesn't have that rolled edge that you had to hammer down after you notch each piece. Also, there's no chance for the drywaller to hit the knockouts and have to set another screw.
That is the ONLY advice I can pass onto a man of your talents.
The stairs look incredible. I'll be watching for the finished project with my laptop ready to vote!
Mike: I will look into the track you mentioned...and I am not trying to be pig headed..but the steel studs took about an hour to cut, notch and hammer out the tabs...for two stairways.
I love working with them.
Stan
I've done very similar things with metal studs in stairwells. Will those be rocked or lath and plaster? Mike
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.
Mike: Its going to be rocked.
Stan
so when do we get to vote? is the voting at the same site?
I'm just sayin'
You gotta work on your reading comprehension there Andy, if you want to ace those social studies tests and impress the schmaht gurls in school.I think all three times that was answered, it was after the 25th.I only asked once myself, LOL
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
oops, well i havent been around for a while, so I missed a lot. It took a while to catch up Stan's pics :)
I'm just sayin'
You're keeping your planes sharp, right? LOLKeep following Stan's work. Lot to learn there, in life as well as in craftsmanship.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin and everyone: Thanks again for all the nice comments. My profession is a reward in itself...but to be acknowledged so nicely by other professionals...well...thats just the cherry on the cake. I really appreciate this place!
This contest has given me a buzz..but I am glad its about over. I have had to put in some big days to build this DeWalt stairway. I had till the end of December scheduled to complete it...but this contest had a Nov. 24th deadline. I knew I could do it, but to keep all my other stairways on time....I have had to really push.
I have no regrets for my effort. I have put my heart and soul in this project and I promised the owner no quality would be sacrificed, if anything I put extra work in it.
Stan
sure am i love handplanes, ive been using them so much recently. I never used them before (the only on I had i used as a bookstop at one point) that one is now back in teh shop. My collection has grow to 7 (#3,#5, #3?, 2 blockplanes, bullnose, and mini trim).
I'm just sayin'
Andy: The http://www.dewalt.com/Top17 site will be set up next Tuesday for the public to vote once a day till Dec. 15th.
Now, that being said...they so far havent stuck to their dates yet..but I believe they will this time.
Stan
pictures tell a lot. I couldn't understand what everyone meant about steel studs until I saw what you do with them.This is carpenter p0rn - I mean art. ART is what it is!
Did I say P0rn?
Can we still say studs?I'm going to pick one of your pictures to save as my desktop background I love them so much.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
But how do you pick just one?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
All amazing pics, esp the one from the basement looking up #552
blue: Thanks. Pictures of "anything" curved has always intrigued my eye. I dont know what it is, but it just adds a third dimension to what you are looking at. Whether its an arched opening, curved cabinets, curved driveway, adding the curve detail is just pleasing to the eye.
That being said....when you consider a curved structure that also is climbing while its curving....that gets into a turning and twisting mode to the eye and it just catches most peoples eye.
I have built curved stairways for years, and I wish I would have started writing down the comments of people coming through the front door seeing a curved stairway. The oohs and ahhs are priceless....and it has NOTHING to do if the curved stairway is put together with poor fittings and putty. It all has to do with the pleasing to the eye flow of the wood from one level to another. THEN, upon closer viewing, the workmanship had better match the initial opinion! Its like you are presenting something elegant that catches the eye...and believe me...those eyes come in for a closer look! It keeps me on my toes to make their last impression as good as their first one when they walk through the door.
Voting next week at http://www.dewalt.com/Top17
Stan
Very nice! Thanks for posting, always a pleasure to view your work.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Another Bump/Reminder to vote for your choice.
Congratulations Stan! You certainly deserve the award as well as the admiration and respect you earned from all that viewed the projects and voted for you.
You are a real class act.
Uh, when I log in, it still says the votes are being calculated.
Greg
shHHHHHHHH!
Don't tell Dewalt. I garundamtee they will find a way to f*** it up. =)Naive but refreshing !
Nice job all around Stan. Congrats on the win
Barry E-Remodeler
Great Job Stan. Congraats.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
YEA! Way to go Stan.
Just A Guy With A Hammer
Congratulations, Stan. Also, to the rest of the 17 for getting to the finals, which was a win itself.
Tracy
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
I didn't do a darn thing but if I feel like I just won the Super Bowl and the World Series all at once, I can't imagine how proud you must feel right now.
I've never met you but after following your projects here over the years and watching the amazing things you create, I feel blessed just having been able to see your creativity become reality. What an awesome, awesome ride !
Congratulations!!!!
Edit: Should have been adressed to Stan, not ALL......
Naive but refreshing !
Edited 12/16/2008 11:29 am ET by woody1777
Congrats Stan
You da man
I just do not understand how a guy going in circles and up and down all day did win this thing other then you deserved it. CONGRATULATIONS again Stan and keep up the excellent work. Bill
Congrats to Stan Foster!!! Awesome job and well deserved. I tried my best and the superior project won in the end - the way it is supposed too. Great competeing with ya! Enjoy the Cherry - you earned it!
Awesome job to all the rest of the 17 as well!!!! We all won this time around.
Your project was really cool. I wish I had them for my granddaughter!
Congratulations! Being chosen for Top 17 is an honor.
Congratulations
congrats to ya,stan,your nothing but first class in my books.
now your going to have to find a place for all those new tools!
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Great news!
Congrats!
Bing
Well deserved! Now trim that door in your workshop
Mac
maybe he could hire mike and brad to come over and trim that door..............lolif a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
HORRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAY TO GO STAN!!!!!!!! I KNEW YOU DESERVED THE TITLE.#1 FINISH CARPENTER (as judged by Dewalt)
m/ (>.<) m/http://www.cocoboloboy.co.nr
Big congrats, voted every day for you. Well deserved victory!!!!!
Thanks so much everyone.....today was unbelievable.
Bloomington Mike...thanks for your kind comment...I really appreciate that. I would love to stop by your shop and look over your equipment...some of which I dont even know the names of let alone know how to run!
You and I are competitive and I just want to give you a big slap on the back....and if you had won...you still would have gotten a slap on the back/
I was overwhelmed with phonecalls all day...and lived in my truck this afternoon keeping my cellphone charged. I would read all the kind e-mails..listen to voice mail after voicemail, and several times would just tear up so thankful to be experiencing this.....then feeling guilty that others werent that very well could have been in my shoes.
God..what a day. Thanks again so much....I will talk more later. My wife and I need to get reacquainted.
Stan
My wife and I need to get reacquainted.
Never heard it called that before..........=) Naive but refreshing !
Congrats Stan, you deserve it.
Thanks everyone....I really am touched. Please dont go to the tavern....you may see my REAL feelings about you peons when I get a few drinks in me. Gosh, for that one person that e-mailed me....I am kidding...
Stan
I see, it's gone to your head already and now your wanting to blame it on the drink talking ;)
mike...I am kidding....I thought it was funny...my saying peon was totally a joke....I think you have a gotcha on me..at least I hope so...
Stan
Yea i knew you were kidding i just had to rib ya a little ! How about that stairbuilding workshop now WORLD FAMOUS MASTER CARPENTER? (now you can demand higher tuition)<g> p.s. i just ran across you thread on the seminar being put on hold.
Edited 12/17/2008 9:04 pm ET by mikeroop
mike- thanks...I am not the best at kidding..and seem to have a challenge detecting it. I think I will just stay with my day job of stairbuilding. ha..
Stan
Computers make it real hard to read expressions on someone :)
DeWalt has been excellent on keeping in touch with me. They have called me telling me what has been shipped, asking my shoe, shirt and pant sizes....and letting them know if anything doesnt fit. I should call them and say all the tools arent fitting in my shop...and I will have to add on again!
I came home yesterday and my wife held up a nice black DeWalt jacket and on the back right at the top very discreety, it says "Dewalt Top17 Finish Carpenter" I thought that was a nice jesture.
I received two nice pairs of DeWalt boots, a box of cool sunglasses, gloves,,,and much more is on the way. It looks like I will stay in clothes this winter! Thankyou all for helping me get this award and all the benis that are coming with it.
Mario Lopaz called me from DeWalt and also said the DeWalt V.I.P. van is available to take myself and all my guests to to the pits at the Nascar race we will be attending. It looks like we will also get a ride in the Bell Jetranger helicopter that ferries all the Nascar drivers wherever they want to go.
I have to add that the kind comments keep coming in from all over and its such a nice feeling. Also I am from a small town of 4500 people and I cant go anywhere in town without people crossing the street or coming down the aisle at the grocery store to congratulate me. I must add that I dont know most of these people because Paxton is mostly a sleeping town and I never see these people. But it seems like the local voting was rampant without my being aware of it. I had no idea all the ground swell that was going on locally.
Anyway....I am going to post a different kind of thank you here at Breaktime hopefully tomorrow. You people all rock!
Stan
Edited 12/20/2008 7:31 am ET by StanFoster
Did you read the fine print???there will be a Dewalt yellow thong that you will be required to model at a televised press conference.Dinosaur would stand in for a cordless drill I bet..
.
"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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.
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
Stan, DD is working on a school project. She must make a poster of her "Odyssey". Her instructions say she must rely on symbolism, using only two family photos.
May she use one of your photos? (One of the "spiral up" ones. See the symbolism there?)
Thanks.
(Voted for you everyday. Congrats.)
Darkaluke- By all means tell her she can use any of my pictures and a big thanks for wanting to!
Stan
Cool to have any little teenager interested in sprialing up ^!
;-)
Thanks.
Question: Just for kicks, have you thought about forming a relationship with Dewalt concerning teaching? I know you have considered "teaching" recently.
Teaching workshops is fun but more complicated than you can imagine. My mom (77yo) teaches watercolor workshops (at her home/studio)...often, she would have 25-30 students sign up (yikes!). (She is retired from 30 yrs teaching at univ.) She finally scaled it down to 5 students per day...more managable for her at her age.
(Still...her former students keep pushing her for more, more, more...)
Darkaluke- I had considered holding a stairshop seminar...but then put it on hold. I have some major stair projects that got put off till later this year....and I still am considering having a seminar. If I did...I would give at least 2 months of notice.
I will be on the DeWalt site soon in the Pro section. Thats all I can say about that at this time however.
Stan
Stand congrats on the win, you thoroughly deserve it.
I have build many staircases but never had the chance to laminate a curved stringer. I have a few questions...-How thick / wide is your top cap and how thick is the face laminate?-Do you ever encounter problems cutting the riser miters and tread cuts in the outside stringer due to the curve or does the large radius of the curve allow for them to be cut without too much rocking? I see you mentioned the hold downs on your new DeWalt helped with this. Same goes for routing the inside stringers?Thanks
Edited 1/13/2009 11:55 pm ET by diamond_dodes
diamond-The top caps are usually in two laminates that laminated together equal the 1 1/8 inch stringer thickness. The face laminates are 5/16 inch thick...unless the radius starts getting smaller than 60 inches...then I go with 1/4 inch.
I warp my router base to follow the curve closer...this makes a more consistent mortise depth.
I have had no problems mitering or routing to speak of.
I will be starting on a curved stairway that has a curb style stringer on both the inside and outside stringers. This will have both stringers routed out....and the inside stringer has a tight 36 inch radius. The stairs will be turning 180 degrees.
Stan
Stan - Thanks
Maybe I'm not understanding the term - "Top Cap" Correctly as I see no vertical clamping on you stringer laminating process.
My understanding is that there is the face laminate of finish wood, the "top cap" on top covering the laminates from above?
Sorry to bug you I'd just like to have a good understanding of the process here.
diamond- I first glue up around 7/8 inch of luan...tnen clamp a face veneer that is 3/4 inch higher on top. Behind this face veneer are some 3/4 wide strips that are the same as the face veneer...and that equal the luans thickness. Once these are all clampled up...planed down..rounded over...the stringer looks like its solid through out.
Stan
That's what I thought. Thanks for the answers I was getting myself confused.