Finally started my bath vanity

[robtonya]

Well I got the door installed with little trouble. I used soft closed hinges that work pretty well. I still need to do the toe kick, and drawers. I was looking at a copper veneer that had a chemical applied to it to give it dark streaks on it for the drawer fronts. I'm unsure yet, but I would like something to break up all the dark wood that it is now.

 

[roadking06]

I would make the drawers the same as the door for continuity, but then I would use a good size white porcelain pulls on the drawers, to match the shitter and tub.

 

[stvrowe]

Looks like it is coming right along and looking good.  Did you finish your interior panels before assembly?
Steve

 

[robtonya]

I would make the drawers the same as the door for continuity, but then I would use a good size white porcelain pulls on the drawers, to match the shitter and tub.

Thats a good idea, I was going to use the oil rubbed bronze pulls to match the fixtures. If It looks right, I was going to make rail and stiles then enclose a copper veneer panel. I really don't know if it would work right. I do know that I could not use the 2 1/4 inch rail and stile size, because it would look funny on such a small drawer.

 

[robtonya]

Looks like it is coming right along and looking good.  Did you finish your interior panels before assembly?
Steve

I finished the inside under the sink part before assembly. I actually made it a different color to match my baseboards, and crown. The interior where the drawers will be, I left unstained, and figured once the drawers was in place, you really wouldn't know.

Now I need a dovetail jig to do the drawers, so those will have to wait until I get one, then figure out how to use it. We did find a nice granite countertop for it. It looks like it will be about a $1000, but I'm still shopping around. I told her though that will be hers and mine Christmas present if it does end up costing that much.

 

[Cannuck]

Really nice job so far Rob.  You're helping to inspire me to start my own cabinet project that I've been procrastinating on.

With respect to the Granite cost, not sure what variety of stone you are looking at, but you should be able to find something nice for about half of that cost, based on the size of your vanity.  You're best bet, is to talk to a granite and solid surface fabricator, and see if you can't get an off-cut from a larger kitchen job.  If they're doing a large job with similar material, often they will have some substantial leftovers (especially when the kitchen has an L-shaped counter section).  Let that customer pay for the full sheet (as they are typically priced), and you can negotiate a better deal on the vanity top.

That's the relationship I have with my fabricator, and what I try to do for the smaller jobs - vanities, fireplace hearths, etc...

Looking forward to seeing your finished product.

 

[robtonya]

Really nice job so far Rob.  You're helping to inspire me to start my own cabinet project that I've been procrastinating on.

With respect to the Granite cost, not sure what variety of stone you are looking at, but you should be able to find something nice for about half of that cost, based on the size of your vanity.  You're best bet, is to talk to a granite and solid surface fabricator, and see if you can't get an off-cut from a larger kitchen job.  If they're doing a large job with similar material, often they will have some substantial leftovers (especially when the kitchen has an L-shaped counter section).  Let that customer pay for the full sheet (as they are typically priced), and you can negotiate a better deal on the vanity top.

That's the relationship I have with my fabricator, and what I try to do for the smaller jobs - vanities, fireplace hearths, etc...

Looking forward to seeing your finished product.

I have talked with one supplier, and that was his price for a reminant, but that was him installing it too. I think I could do the install, and I might see if I could get it cheaper just by asking if he could come down on the price.

I did see an amazing slab when I was there. I forget the name of it, but it was a deep red with grey streaks in it. It wouldn't work for my application, but it was beautiful.

 

[stvrowe]

I finished the inside under the sink part before assembly. I actually made it a different color to match my baseboards, and crown. The interior where the drawers will be, I left unstained, and figured once the drawers was in place, you really wouldn't know.

Now I need a dovetail jig to do the drawers, so those will have to wait until I get one, then figure out how to use it. We did find a nice granite countertop for it. It looks like it will be about a $1000, but I'm still shopping around. I told her though that will be hers and mine Christmas present if it does end up costing that much.

It looks like you vanity is about the same size as the one I need to build.  The only guy in town that does granite countertops told me that granite finished and installed averages about $80/ sq. ft.  The $1K quote doesn't sound too far off from what it is here.

If you don't have a dovetail jig and want to finish now, you could either handcut them or have one of the companies such as Drawer Box Specialties make them for you.  They can even come prefinished with notches and clips installed if you want.
Steve

 

[Bill Wyko]

Sounds like it's time for an Incra fence system to do your Dovetails.

 

[robtonya]

Thanks Steve, and Bill. I actually seen a ad for a granite top at Home Depot for $199, but the deminsions where off. I am interested in the Porter cable Omni-jig. I do like the Incra too. Bill does Incras make their fences removable for a router table. I just don't want to drill holes in my table top, and I am unsure if I would have to.

Steve I actually considered doing it by hand. I have a Japanese hand saw, and it would be a good way to learn some "old school". I don't have any chisels though, but those are on my wish list too.

I'll keep the pictures coming though. Thanks again. Rob

 

[Bill Wyko]

Hey Robert. I wonder if you could vacuum clamp a fence in place? You can also mount your fence to a piece of wood the width of your table and clamp it in place. Nice part with an incra is all the other things it will do. There's a special going on at woodpeckers right now on incra stuff too.

 

[danrush]

Robert,

I'm not sure where you're located (Indiana, I think? )  Any way, it may behoove you to take a trip to a larger city to look for granite where there are more fabricators competing..  Here in Chicago, I could probably get a remnant that size fabricated for $400.00--$500.00 or less for the right piece.  It's nothing to install, just a buddy with a good back and a bit of silicone caulk to adhere it down.

Looks good so far, Good luck.

Dan

 

[robtonya]

I figured a good back would be needed.  ;D .I went to Evansville, Indiana, which is probably one of the larger cities in Indiana. I could try Indianapolis which would be about as far as I would want to go. The place I did get to look at looked like a smaller operation, and I thought maybe next week I could try to search out some other places. I was walking through the reminants and he was telling me that usually they have to through some of it away, and that you can only "love it" so long, which is why I might try to talk him down on price.

Bill, I could probably make something similar to the fence that is on it now. I have the Bench Dog router table, and it fastens down to the table similar to the way you was describing. I guess when I am back in Evansville next week, I will swing by Woodcraft to see if I can figure out something. I don't know how long the sale is going on, but I just bought liscence plates for the vehicles, which just about took all the extra money I have saved up, but someday I'll get it.

 

[robtonya]

Well I got the toe kick in, and finished putting all the base boards down. Almost done. I still need to get a dovetail jig to make the drawer boxes, but we are just doing it as we can afford it. We decided to get the counter top in November (I get a bonus from work then), and it will be our Christmas present to each of us.

 

[sw1211]

Looks nice Rob.  Have you considered a lock miter joint for the drawers instead of waiting for a dovetail jig?

 

[robtonya]

Yeah, I have. I also have considered using a cheaper jig too. I think Rockler has one for a decent price. I don't know, I might get tired of staring at six holes, and change my mind. I change my mind a lot.

 

[Mahogany Man]

Hey Rob,
Have you considered Solid Surface for your vanity top?
You already have the tools to cut and finish it.
You should be able to get a piece in the color you want for around
$300.00 I would think.
Just a thought.
John

 

[robtonya]

Thanks John. I even considered doing a concrete countertop. The Misses wants a granite, and she already has the color picked out, so I got to keep the Misses happy.  ;D ;D

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I have to say yes for the woodpeck square for the 3' cuts. Spot on. You have to make sure that the rail is tight against the square and the fence part of the square is snug to the work piece. A quick maneuver though.

Eiji

I second the endorsement of the Woodpecker 18" triangle square.  I use mine very frequently.  It's great for setting up and checking squareness of the fence-to-guide rail on my MFT 1080.  It's also very useful for layout of reference lines for setup of the Hole Drilling Guide Rail, particularly when you are not using it for the standard Euro system.

Dave R.

 

[robtonya]

We got our top installed yesterday. I couldn't be happier with it. I will see if I can get some more pictures of it on here. I am having difficulties with my new computer.