Category: Carpentry

A patch of land on Maui was in need of a boundary line section of fence and a privacy section near a roadway. The land owner wanted a solution that would last and stand the test of time. This requirement dictated the use of pressure treated wood, also sealed below ground and installed in cement. The end result turned out quite nice and with a very welcome collaboration between the land owner and myself, the Kula Fence was born.

All fences start with a line of string.

The final result below.

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Hawaii • November 2019

Every time it rained, the red door had been subjected to water splashing on it and I would come to discover that this went on for about 80 years. The top portion of the door was still functional and the old glass still intact. The bottom; however, had been repaired to some extent, but the decay had made its decision. A new door was needed.

As the project unfolded, the wall was also in dire need of repair and the choice to fix it this year was a good one. The rot was starting to work its way left and right, taking the sill plate with it.

The old red door below.

The colorful doormat reminds me that this is an entrance into an artist’s studio. I reluctantly removed the ivy from under the door, but had to when I found it rooting in the rotted wall. You can also see some rain damage to the cedar shingles.

The following pictures show the results. As much as the artist could jump into the studio, a small set of stairs were added to make entering and exiting less of an athletic event.

Primed and ready to be the “New Red Door”.

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Rhode Island – December 2020

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Featured Image – As the old part of the wall was removed, this newspaper clipping fell out. Newspaper was sometimes used as insulation, and the date 1941 would make this door about 80 years old. When I am working with old buildings and removing nails and wood that were carefully put into service by capable tradesman, I feel a connection to that time and their lives; having done a job that will put food on table for their family and for having built something that has lasted a long time.

This was a very enjoyable project. As the story goes, a family moved into a home and there was a tree fort platform in the back woods. The previous owner had built it with intentions of finishing it, but the busy of life delayed its completion.

The new home owners moved in. The youngest of the family, a boy was excited to see the platform and the parents said they would finish it for them. As the busy of life consumed the new household, the platform waited and a year went by and then another.

The boy was patient and waited. He would be grown up within the decade so the busy parents sought out a builder to complete the project, and I was very fortunate to be that builder.

My father had built a fort for me when I was the boy’s age, and the memories of having one in my life are still with me today.

The boy’s enthusiasm was amazing. He spoke well and voiced his ideas.

He wanted a pulley system and this was integrated into the front of the fort.

There were also some left over triangle pieces of wood he wanted to reuse and suggested they be placed on the small work bench under the stairs. I mounted them permanently for him.

He also wanted to reuse old materials and had been educated with the reuse, repurpose, recycle mantra. Such a joy to see, at such a young age, the desire to conserve resources.

One day while driving home, I saw some old chairs and a blue piece of wood that could be turned into the desk he wanted. People in the neighborhood leave out materials for the taking before the trash claims them. I made it so the desk would fold up and down for him.

I was grateful for this project and loved every minute of it.

Check out the sliding picture and some of the finished ones below.

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Rhode Island – 2020

Mailboxes are both amusing and inspiring. This simple postal mechanism is a very necessary have in our society. It serves to accept local news, cards from family and friends, small packages and presents, and the ever so popular bill. The internet and email and online paper free services, are reducing its usage, but for now and years to come, it will continue to serve your mailing address.

As I drive the streets, north and south, east and west and on islands in the middle of nowhere, there are many a mailbox in various levels of disrepair. There are also some very nice ones, where the home owner has taken time to install a new one, or build a custom one.

I have had the opportunity to build and repair a few. The build is enjoyable. A vertical pole level and true, secured into the earth, and the mailbox, metal or plastic, mounted in someway to receive the mail. There are rules for height and distance from the road which assist the mail carriers. The whole process is very simple, but requires a plethora of carpentry, excavation and painting tools.

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Several completed projects. They take about a day to complete, from design to build, to excavation and installation. The one in Maui was fun. The mail box had only be up for less than 24 hours when it received a delivery. I always like to quality test the results 🙂

SEARSPORT AVENUE

This is Belfast Maine in 1877. The first mailbox project is for the Cape Cod style house with the attached barn. At that time, there was mail being delivered in the United States. A brief history is here.

Belfast, ME 04915 – October 2021

ULUMALU ROAD

Maui … Haiku, HI 96708 – February 2020

ATLANTIC HIGHWAY

Belfast, ME 04915 – August 2021

AUGUSTA ROAD

Belmont, ME 04942 – August 2023

Postage History

First Stamps Issued in 1847

The first stamps made had the image of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. The Franklin stamp paid the rate for one half-ounce sent up to 300 miles. The George Washington stamp paid the rate for longer distances or heavier mail.

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These two United States postage stamps became valid for use on July 1, 1847.

Time line of Postal Service History