Artist Statement
I often build one of a kind furniture in a modern or traditional
style. Often the essentials of my design is to highlight grain to
show the woods natural beauty while paying close attention to
detail.
I often build one of a kind furniture in a modern or traditional
style. Often the essentials of my design is to highlight grain to
show the woods natural beauty while paying close attention to
detail.
MVFlaim.com is copyright 2003-2008 by Mike Flaim. All Rights Reserved.
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Milford, Ohio 45150
MVFlaim Furnituremaker, 1260 Kent Dr. Milford, OH 45150
Phone: (513) 248-8437, Email mike@mvflaim.com
Phone: (513) 248-8437, Email mike@mvflaim.com
Michael V Flaim
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The design idea usually
starts with nothing more
than a piece of paper
and a pencil. I'll sketch
the idea onto paper then
draw out a blueprint with
a drafting ruler. From
there, I will often make a
model out of scrap
lumber to make sure the
overall design fits the
form and function that
I'm trying to go after.
starts with nothing more
than a piece of paper
and a pencil. I'll sketch
the idea onto paper then
draw out a blueprint with
a drafting ruler. From
there, I will often make a
model out of scrap
lumber to make sure the
overall design fits the
form and function that
I'm trying to go after.
Joinery is usually done by hand.
Hand cut dovetails look far better
than machined ones. They have the
look of hand crafted quality even if
they aren't perfectly symmetrical with
each other. I also use a lot of hand
planing in my work. Random orbital
sanders will often leave little swirl
marks called pigtails in the wood that
only telescope up when a finished is
applied. I have since retired my
random orbital sander and now use
series of hand planes and card
scrapers to size the wood to proper
thickness and remove any mill marks
left by the lumber yard.
Hand cut dovetails look far better
than machined ones. They have the
look of hand crafted quality even if
they aren't perfectly symmetrical with
each other. I also use a lot of hand
planing in my work. Random orbital
sanders will often leave little swirl
marks called pigtails in the wood that
only telescope up when a finished is
applied. I have since retired my
random orbital sander and now use
series of hand planes and card
scrapers to size the wood to proper
thickness and remove any mill marks
left by the lumber yard.
Finishing is the most
important step in the
building process. The finish
on a piece of furniture will
often be the first impression
a person gets when they
first see it. I take more time
finishing a piece than I do
actually building it. I'll apply
at least four coats of
oil-urethane and sand with
320 grit between coats. For
finalizing a finish, I'll apply
two grits of pumice rubbed
with mineral oil and then
finish with rotten stone to
really bring out the shine.
important step in the
building process. The finish
on a piece of furniture will
often be the first impression
a person gets when they
first see it. I take more time
finishing a piece than I do
actually building it. I'll apply
at least four coats of
oil-urethane and sand with
320 grit between coats. For
finalizing a finish, I'll apply
two grits of pumice rubbed
with mineral oil and then
finish with rotten stone to
really bring out the shine.
Once I'm happy with my design of my piece, I'll start milling out
the lumber. I take special care in picking out the right grain for a
project. Often I'll set aside pieces of lumber with split grain and
big knots. Leaving those pieces for the scrap bin or firewood.
There tends to be a lot of waste but if you want to make truly
nice pieces of furniture, you'll need to make sure you have the
best quality lumber to start with.
the lumber. I take special care in picking out the right grain for a
project. Often I'll set aside pieces of lumber with split grain and
big knots. Leaving those pieces for the scrap bin or firewood.
There tends to be a lot of waste but if you want to make truly
nice pieces of furniture, you'll need to make sure you have the
best quality lumber to start with.
