Well I wasn't sure if I should even come back and look, Thank you for understanding.
I promise to keep my views and opions within what I'm trying to learn as acceptable in here. (Still a little confused how much I can say)
I'll take another approach and try very hard not to poke the sore spots.
First and foremost, The men that didn't finish should send their free tools back to DeWalt and be withdrawn from the contest as the rules state.
I've looked at every project and read their project summary, Some of the carpenters changed their project from what gained them entry into the contest. I look at that like a "bait and switch", Should that be a consideration when evaluating their project? I'd say yes. Out of the contest? not sure.
It's one thing to change your mind on something your just building for yourself, A professional carpenter is held to building what the client wants, what they agreed on and what is expected.
Still other project(s) don't fit any category, i.e. the trusses, beautiful yes, enhanced the room absolutely.
Announced as...."and the winner of the DeWalt Top 17 carpenters, in the category of _________ goes to the trusses" (fill in the blank with "Built in cabinets", Fireplace Mantels, or "Custom Stairs" ) (I won't sight another example)
There's a guy with blank pictures on his page, technical error? Did he finish? Who knows but he got votes. What that about?
So that narrows the field to a few, The stairs are beautifully crafted, excellently documented and awsome to look at. He gets a vote or two from me.
There is a fireplace mantel that spans 2 categories (mantels and Built-in) Very nice job, I think the photography and lighting hurts it's display. But he gets a couple of votes from me.
The project with the fireplace mantle / T.V. / media storage is very nice. And although it was'nt thought of initially, actually and after thought, he installed a hardwood floor. Show skills other than just one. he gets a vote or 2.
That leaves me with, what I feel deserves, just a little more credit than the others. The home office den remodel (sawdust shop).
Here is why:
Although he should only be judges on the "Built-in Cabinets" portion, he did the entire room.
He displays Multiple talents a "top carpenter" should possess, not all of them but more than most.
I see Office project like this:
In order to build and install the cabinets he had to first strip the room, demo and re-frame the entry way and hang some drywall.
Then install a hardwood floor, which looks to be a Bellawood floor. Very nice product and another skill in his tool bag.
He showed pictures of what appears to be rough sawn lumber, and a lot of it. I don't know how much he used, but I know that takes time to true it up.
There are no pictures of building the cabinets, but i doubt that they were bought by the look of them, that, and he shows the bookcases being built.
The things that really impressed me are the things the untrained eye doesn't pickup on, as it should be. Did anyone notice the lighting? I had to go back to figure out how he put lights in the lower shelf without seeing any wiring. The upper lights aren't blaring in your eyes, that and they light the face of the bookcases. How? They are not centered in the upper ceiling of the case, they are brought forward in what appears to be an extra deep box, and notice the shelfs are recess slightly inside to allow the light to cast forward. Looks like full size shelfs with the basketball on it. That took a lot of thought for an effect overlooked by most! Which walks me into the electrical outlets that are provided inside the cabinets, inside the bookcases and both above and below the desk, on both sides. I don't get why telephone jack is under the desk, but I'm sure that wasn't an after thought, maybe just not needed. To add to the detail he made all the outlet and switch plate covers. More than I would do. But it looks good or rather blends in.
The keystones on the top of the arches were hand carved (Impressive) and recessed into the faceframe, not just nailed to the front. The carving alone takes tremendous skill....and time. Although he didn't do the granite tops, they really add to the overall finish.
Then comes the trim, I didn't like the chair railing trim and base all painted the same color, but it's still a great feature, and what do i know about painting.
What I can only guess is an after thought, the T.V. in the wall (it's not mentioned in the summary). But What fries my noddle the most, looking at the side shot of the T.V., How deep is it in the wall? Every T.V. I've seen hanging on the wall, including my own protrudes from the wall 6"-7". Is the case sticking out the other side of the house or into another Room? is this a Plumbing wall"? (they are only 5-1/2" deep). Where are the wires to the T.V. the stereo, speakers, cable, and dvd player?
And if it weren't for the pictures of the open cabinet door showing a sliding printer tray and hiding the computer equipment. I'd have thought nothing more than simple storage.
Overall I'd say I'm impressed with the fact that it is more than just cabinets, but rather an interactive, functional piece of work. You use it you don't just stare at it.
I vote more for his than the others. Not to push in your face, but here the link if your wanting to reference the picture with my views.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=80
I hope this did not offend anyone, this time.
If i did, I'm sorry......AGAIN, i'm trying LOL
Mike
I promise to keep my views and opions within what I'm trying to learn as acceptable in here. (Still a little confused how much I can say)
I'll take another approach and try very hard not to poke the sore spots.
First and foremost, The men that didn't finish should send their free tools back to DeWalt and be withdrawn from the contest as the rules state.
I've looked at every project and read their project summary, Some of the carpenters changed their project from what gained them entry into the contest. I look at that like a "bait and switch", Should that be a consideration when evaluating their project? I'd say yes. Out of the contest? not sure.
It's one thing to change your mind on something your just building for yourself, A professional carpenter is held to building what the client wants, what they agreed on and what is expected.
Still other project(s) don't fit any category, i.e. the trusses, beautiful yes, enhanced the room absolutely.
Announced as...."and the winner of the DeWalt Top 17 carpenters, in the category of _________ goes to the trusses" (fill in the blank with "Built in cabinets", Fireplace Mantels, or "Custom Stairs" ) (I won't sight another example)
There's a guy with blank pictures on his page, technical error? Did he finish? Who knows but he got votes. What that about?
So that narrows the field to a few, The stairs are beautifully crafted, excellently documented and awsome to look at. He gets a vote or two from me.
There is a fireplace mantel that spans 2 categories (mantels and Built-in) Very nice job, I think the photography and lighting hurts it's display. But he gets a couple of votes from me.
The project with the fireplace mantle / T.V. / media storage is very nice. And although it was'nt thought of initially, actually and after thought, he installed a hardwood floor. Show skills other than just one. he gets a vote or 2.
That leaves me with, what I feel deserves, just a little more credit than the others. The home office den remodel (sawdust shop).
Here is why:
Although he should only be judges on the "Built-in Cabinets" portion, he did the entire room.
He displays Multiple talents a "top carpenter" should possess, not all of them but more than most.
I see Office project like this:
In order to build and install the cabinets he had to first strip the room, demo and re-frame the entry way and hang some drywall.
Then install a hardwood floor, which looks to be a Bellawood floor. Very nice product and another skill in his tool bag.
He showed pictures of what appears to be rough sawn lumber, and a lot of it. I don't know how much he used, but I know that takes time to true it up.
There are no pictures of building the cabinets, but i doubt that they were bought by the look of them, that, and he shows the bookcases being built.
The things that really impressed me are the things the untrained eye doesn't pickup on, as it should be. Did anyone notice the lighting? I had to go back to figure out how he put lights in the lower shelf without seeing any wiring. The upper lights aren't blaring in your eyes, that and they light the face of the bookcases. How? They are not centered in the upper ceiling of the case, they are brought forward in what appears to be an extra deep box, and notice the shelfs are recess slightly inside to allow the light to cast forward. Looks like full size shelfs with the basketball on it. That took a lot of thought for an effect overlooked by most! Which walks me into the electrical outlets that are provided inside the cabinets, inside the bookcases and both above and below the desk, on both sides. I don't get why telephone jack is under the desk, but I'm sure that wasn't an after thought, maybe just not needed. To add to the detail he made all the outlet and switch plate covers. More than I would do. But it looks good or rather blends in.
The keystones on the top of the arches were hand carved (Impressive) and recessed into the faceframe, not just nailed to the front. The carving alone takes tremendous skill....and time. Although he didn't do the granite tops, they really add to the overall finish.
Then comes the trim, I didn't like the chair railing trim and base all painted the same color, but it's still a great feature, and what do i know about painting.
What I can only guess is an after thought, the T.V. in the wall (it's not mentioned in the summary). But What fries my noddle the most, looking at the side shot of the T.V., How deep is it in the wall? Every T.V. I've seen hanging on the wall, including my own protrudes from the wall 6"-7". Is the case sticking out the other side of the house or into another Room? is this a Plumbing wall"? (they are only 5-1/2" deep). Where are the wires to the T.V. the stereo, speakers, cable, and dvd player?
And if it weren't for the pictures of the open cabinet door showing a sliding printer tray and hiding the computer equipment. I'd have thought nothing more than simple storage.
Overall I'd say I'm impressed with the fact that it is more than just cabinets, but rather an interactive, functional piece of work. You use it you don't just stare at it.
I vote more for his than the others. Not to push in your face, but here the link if your wanting to reference the picture with my views.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/top17/finalists.aspx?projectID=80
I hope this did not offend anyone, this time.
If i did, I'm sorry......AGAIN, i'm trying LOL
Mike
