Questions to ask when getting a cabinet made.

[M6TT F]

I drew up a cabinet to the dimensions I need, copying the style of one I'd seen that I liked. I took it to a local furniture place who said they can make anything. They looked at it and said no problem... around the 400 quid mark. (out of Oak)

Is there anything I should be asking/checking before I give them the go ahead... I was expecting a quote of around 800 quid tbh!!

[enablerbro1]

Do they offer a warranty?

[Paulie-W]

Maybe sorting out ventilation. Looks like it could get pretty toasty in those cupboard spaces.

[noidea]

are the 420mm widths of the end sections enough? I thought nearly every component was 430mm these days

[M6TT F]

well spotted noidea - I realised that shortly after I'd posted this 1st draft and have worked out my measurements and have changed it accordingly! - all three spaces are infact 480mm, it's just the thickiness of the 4 corner pillars that reduces the opening down to 420. I've also increased th height of the open spaces slightly to allow for different centre speaker options.

[M6TT F]

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

Maybe sorting out ventilation. Looks like it could get pretty toasty in those cupboard spaces.

I was planning on having an open back, but I will ask about the possibilty of ventilation options

[thudspud]

Very nice, keep me posted how it goes as that is very similar to something I would like made.

[Knightshade]

There's only maybe £90 - £100 worth of wood in it but there are quite a few hours worth of work there. Obviously you've seen the quality of his work?

One thing worth checking out is the quality of the finish ie oil, wax, varnish etc. A finish that will last and look as good in 10 years takes a lot of time.

HTH

[M6TT F]

Originally Posted by Knightshade

There's only maybe £90 - £100 worth of wood in it but there are quite a few hours worth of work there. Obviously you've seen the quality of his work?

One thing worth checking out is the quality of the finish ie oil, wax, varnish etc. A finish that will last and look as good in 10 years takes a lot of time.

HTH

I have seen a few different pieces in the shop although they weren't tv units... I'll ask if they have any others I can look at. good point, thanks! As or the finish, Id not thought about that too much tbh, I want something hard wearing obviously, and Ideally I'd like the wood to retian the pale finish and not darken too much with age?

[M6TT F]

well I've ordered it so we'll see how it progresses. I havent decided on the finish yet. I was given the choice of oiled, waxed or laquered. Im leaning towards laquered, although it's not quite as attractive as oiled, I'm led to beleieve it's a lot more hard wearing...

They're going to call me if any questions arise so fingers crossed I'll have something in about 3-4 weeks time.

[Knightshade]

Oiled and waxed is the nicest, it gives it some water proofing as well if you get rub makrs on it it can just be rewaxed. Laquered isn't really any harder wearing, it is more easily damaged and less easy to repair, it is the easiest to do though.

[M6TT F]

Originally Posted by Knightshade

Oiled and waxed is the nicest, it gives it some water proofing as well if you get rub makrs on it it can just be rewaxed. Laquered isn't really any harder wearing, it is more easily damaged and less easy to repair, it is the easiest to do though.

Ahh that's very interesting. I always thought that waxed or oiled took a lot more looking after. I have a 12mth old who has just progressed to pulling himself to his feet on anything he can. I was thinking about greasy fingers etc...

[smiffy333]

Very interested to see how this turns out, having some oiled oak furniture I'd go with that from a looks point of view.
Out of interest where did you see the cabinet in the first post?

[M6TT F]

i'll post the pics when it's finished. As for the origin of the cabinet I took for inspiration, I wish I could remember where I saw it!!! It was one of those moments where I was just grabbing pics of cabinets I liked whilst trawling sites ages ago. I never bookmakrked the pages and I buggered if I can find it again!

[lawrenso]

really looking forward to pictures and prices for this - not that far away from you!!

Cheers

Lawrenso