Replies

1. 
   user-64052 | Feb 26, 2011 05:07pm | #1

   why not hire

   someone who knows what they are doing rather than a handyman

   ron

1. 
   [email protected] | Feb 28, 2011 01:48pm | #9

   ThankS Ron for answering my question.  You're right, I really do need to hire a woodworking person however Ive caculated that it will cost me $3000.00 with a handyman versus 10,000 with a carpenter and I dont have the money to do that so .....

2. 
   RickW | Feb 26, 2011 08:44pm | #2

   Talk to a commercial cabinet shop that has a CNC router. That's how the original pieces were made.

   I don't think that you will be able to "float" the shelves off the wall. Too much weight.

   Good luck with the project!

   Rick W

3. 
   murphreejz | Feb 26, 2011 09:02pm | #3

   cabinetmaker

   the fact that you are asking tells me your "handyman" needs to stick to leaky faucets & squeaky doors. hire a specialist. we put alot of blood, sweat, tears, & money into this trade.

4. 
   AutumnWoods | Feb 26, 2011 09:12pm | #4

   Don't Waste Your Money

   Don't waste time and money trying to have anyone less than a pro shop pull this off, it's harder than it looks.  It's going to take a lot longer than he's quoting you assuming the project is the same size and scale, if it's even possible.  Without a CNC router you're going to be freehanding all those curves with a jigsaw, smoothing and fairing them, edgebanding them, etc.  A LOT of template and design work goes into something like that as well.  I do, however, think it would be possible to raise it off the ground if you integrated nailer strips into the back of the case that were properly reinforced and mounted it to pretty much every stud on that wall at multiple levels.  Just be sure and reinforce the structure as well to compensate.  Good luck, it's a cool project if you can pull it off.

1. 
   [email protected] | Feb 28, 2011 01:50pm | #10

   Thank you AutumnWoods.  You're correct!  This is a cool project.....  I just wish I had the money to hire the real professionals.  Hope it turns out ok

5. 
   SteveSchoene | Feb 26, 2011 10:15pm | #5

   I'm going to pile on with the rest who says a project of this ilk calls for a full fledged pro shop.  But be prepared for the sticker shock. 

6. 
   joinerswork | Feb 27, 2011 11:19am | #6

   Kimberly,

   The others are overthinking this.  If you go to Ikea or better yet, Wal-Mart, and buy three or four of those bookcases that are made of pressboard, and float them in a swimming pool for a week or so, you can achieve this effect without all that CNC technology.

1. 
   AutumnWoods | Feb 27, 2011 02:50pm | #7

   Nice One

   :-)   I think that might actually work... I see an article in the future of FWW on the "Float and Bloat" technique.

7. 
   oldusty | Feb 28, 2011 10:42am | #8

   Sortof Designer ?

     Kimberley ,

              Imagine a large wall cabinet or bookcase that does not touch the floor .

         With a full back or backs and   screw rails across the back they can be fastened to the wall without touching the floor .

       Often on floating vanities or other largish wall hung cabinets that are near the floor we run a wood cleat or in your case I would run a continuous base mold to support the back end and weight of the units .Steel angle iron can also be used .

      In truth that is a pretty tricky job to bid for most of us so maybe the handy Man knows that and is going the time and material route .He can't get hurt financially but if you trust him and he is hardworking all will be well .

      The time estimate is hard to judge , partly it depends on the experience and equipment used .

        The term handy man may not be a fair one to your man , but to many of us   the term means he will do it cheaper and not as well in some not all cases he may be a divinely talented maker .

          good luck let us know how it turns out

                      regards   dusty,boxmaker

8. 
   fussy | Feb 28, 2011 05:03pm | #11

   Kimberly,

   I am not a perfeshkinol, but I think it is quite possible to float this thing.  I would build and install in sections using french cleats.  Carefully done, it should go up and slip together without much problem.  Obviously, I don't have the years of experience of the other guys, but if you plan carefully, and if your handyman is as capable as you seem to think, I don't see any reason it can't be done.  Mind, there WILL be a few bumps in the road, but plan for that, have a bottle of Diet Cherry Doctor Pepper to make things go more smoothly, and work your way through it.  Make certain you can communicate with the handyman and he with you.  If everyone listened to everyone who said something can't be done, Livingstone would have never found Stanley.

   Steve