My '73 Roundie Revival [BMW 2002]

[CubbyChowder]

Man! As many another follower here, I'm just in awe when I see your work and sense your attitude - I sincerely hope you'll find a way to make it through - your creativity with that furniture really ought to be something to go on, I totally agree with everyone else - I hope you can get the help you want to somehow get a business going - would crowdfunding be of interest in your case to get it up and running? http://www.nlcfa.org/entrepreneur-information.html - sorry if that's just a really stupid suggestion, but I feel like we just have to try and come up with something that will help you on your way to well deserved success! If for no other reason then just because we desperately neeeeed to see the result of your efforts with your beloved '02!! All the best of luck from way over here in Denmark!

Ah man, thank you so much for all the kind words. I know I keep saying this, but it honestly means the world me to read comments like this about my work. I can't thank you enough for the support and suggestions, I am contemplating a possible crowd funding campaign through Kickstarter when I have all my stuff figured out, but we'll see what happens. The '02 will be finished one day!

Nice build. You can really weld and build furniture haha!!

Thanks man

I find myself coming back to your thread over and over again to look at the furniture. I don't know how to make it work, but I would be seriously interested in a few pieces when I buy a house this summer. Good luck man. I hope things turn around for you!

Thanks a lot dude, that would be awesome to work something out! I recently built another table and documented the process, I'll post it up here since some of you guys are interested in my furniture.

I came up with this table top design by sitting down with a pen and notepad, drawing a bunch of squares, and filling those squares with patterns. Eventually I started liking the pattern, and kept evolving it until I was happy with the overall flow of it. I did the same with the legs later by drawing a bunch of rectangles, and designing leg patterns until I like what I've drawn. I went through a ton of different variations before I chose the final design. It's a fun way to create something, and very rewarding when you're all finished.

My neighbor was throwing away a bunch of wood, and I asked if I could snag some of the 2" boards that he was throwing out. They had a cool aged/rustic patina to them and I thought I'd use them for this project, and preserve the aged, weathered look.

After some measuring, cutting and welding, I came up with the basic frame for the table top. Measures roughly 21"x21":



I then cut the wood to the right size and did a test fit. I always like to incorporate flush sitting wooden inlays, it's kind of my thing:



I added some lines, which reminded me of jail cell bars:



Here is a before and after of the "jail cell bars":



After smoothing the welds out, I started tossing around some ideas for the metal finish. I came up with this really busy texture which made it sparkly and shiny, it looked pretty cool but it didn't really feel right, especially with the rustic wood:



Then came the legs, from sketchbook to reality:




I decided to get the table frame powder coated. I wanted to try a "vein" finish that I had been eyeing for a few months, but had never seen in real life, only on a sample chip. I thought it'd be cool, so I went for it, and I'm really glad I did (even though it was a bit pricey at $85 since it's a two step process). I got it back today and am amazed with the results, the finish looks so cool in person. The rustic wood wasn't working for it, so I put my new-to-me jointer to use and cut through the aged wood down to the fresh stuff and finished it off with some boiled linseed oil. I popped the wood in, stood back and smiled at the finished product. Really happy with how it turned out:







What do you guys think? If you want to view my online portfolio, check it out at www.Behance.com/MikeyGaumann

[JCarp90]

I find myself coming back to your thread over and over again to look at the furniture. I don't know how to make it work, but I would be seriously interested in a few pieces when I buy a house this summer. Good luck man. I hope things turn around for you!

[E30NJ]

Nice build. You can really weld and build furniture haha!!

[TENIUS]

Man! As many another follower here, I'm just in awe when I see your work and sense your attitude - I sincerely hope you'll find a way to make it through - your creativity with that furniture really ought to be something to go on, I totally agree with everyone else - I hope you can get the help you want to somehow get a business going - would crowdfunding be of interest in your case to get it up and running? http://www.nlcfa.org/entrepreneur-information.html - sorry if that's just a really stupid suggestion, but I feel like we just have to try and come up with something that will help you on your way to well deserved success! If for no other reason then just because we desperately neeeeed to see the result of your efforts with your beloved '02!! All the best of luck from way over here in Denmark!

[CubbyChowder]

Sorry dudes, no updates. Having a really hard time making ends meet lately and can barely afford to feed myself haha. I'm finding out how challenging self employment can be at times, but I know things will look up again. Been brainstorming ideas like crazy to get these custom roof racks going again, but it's proving to be pretty challenging. Not fully set on a design yet, but it's coming, I can feel it.

For the time being, the '02 will unfortunately remain on the back burner until I can support myself a little better. Thanks for checking in though!

[phreshkid]

Update?

[rzerob]

Update?

[CubbyChowder]

Ughhhh, just finished reading this thread. I feel like the day I finished reading Lonesome Dove...seemed so thick when I started, but by the end I was wishing for another 1000 pages. I won't bore everyone with all that is obvious about how inspirational and refreshing it is to see someone mire themselves in the perfectionistic details of working with one's hands, but I will say that I am confident that regardless of what direction you end up going, and as evidenced by the legions you've converted on r3v (no easy task, to say the least), you are sure to have a following. Keep up the good work, and if you ever make it to New Orleans, you've got a beer waiting for you.

That means a lot to me, thank you very much

[ethurtee]

Ughhhh, just finished reading this thread. I feel like the day I finished reading Lonesome Dove...seemed so thick when I started, but by the end I was wishing for another 1000 pages. I won't bore everyone with all that is obvious about how inspirational and refreshing it is to see someone mire themselves in the perfectionistic details of working with one's hands, but I will say that I am confident that regardless of what direction you end up going, and as evidenced by the legions you've converted on r3v (no easy task, to say the least), you are sure to have a following. Keep up the good work, and if you ever make it to New Orleans, you've got a beer waiting for you.

[slowe34]

I would think modern looking stuff, like what you are making, would be easy to unload in SLO. You just have to find were your target market is...ie younger hipster-ish people with money(30's?). Whole foods comes to mind, haha.

But really, look for bigger farmers markets and things like that. Get some pieces to show off your skills and let people know you can do custom.

Keep up the nice work and dont forget about that '02.

[CubbyChowder]

Whenever I get out of college I'm giving you a call. That's some awesome furniture man. Absolutely love the modern look to it.

I'm sure you have thought of it, but I think using aluminum and doing a brushed aluminum finish would look fantastic as well.

Thanks dude, I have definitely considered aluminum as well as stainless for outdoor applications.

just awesome........your skill set and energy is wonderful.

f34 too.......!

Thanks!

My brother in law works for a Danish furniture company and he delivered a $6,000 piece of shit office chair someone bought - and apparently that's like a normal thing. If you can't find someone to pay top dollar for this kind of craftsmanship, you're doing it wrong. I don't forsee you having any issues being able to make and sell your own furniture with your level of talent and attention to detail. Keep up the good work!

Nice, that gives me hope! Thank you

see if you can sell direct to ABC furniture in NYC....they sell hi end funky artsy stuff......getting 3 or 4k per table is no biggie.

Actually, get a few items built...and come to NYC....Ill set u up w/ great shops to sell your goods......youll be able to have more than a few 02's and e30's in a yr or 2...lol

or.....send me some good photos/portfolio.....Ill be your leg man........we can work it out$$$.....

That would be sweet, too bad I'm on the complete opposite end of the country :(. I appreciate your willingness to help, I'll keep it touch with you. I might try to focus on staying local for now, but if things pick up I'll definitely try to branch out!

Impressive work on both the 02 and the furniture.

Thank you

[iflytii]

Impressive work on both the 02 and the furniture.

[JRKOUPE]

see if you can sell direct to ABC furniture in NYC....they sell hi end funky artsy stuff......getting 3 or 4k per table is no biggie.

Actually, get a few items built...and come to NYC....Ill set u up w/ great shops to sell your goods......youll be able to have more than a few 02's and e30's in a yr or 2...lol

or.....send me some good photos/portfolio.....Ill be your leg man........we can work it out$$$.....

[JCarp90]

My brother in law works for a Danish furniture company and he delivered a $6,000 piece of shit office chair someone bought - and apparently that's like a normal thing. If you can't find someone to pay top dollar for this kind of craftsmanship, you're doing it wrong. I don't forsee you having any issues being able to make and sell your own furniture with your level of talent and attention to detail. Keep up the good work!

[JRKOUPE]

just awesome........your skill set and energy is wonderful.

f34 too.......!