Hibiscus #5 (& #6). These are carved from Butternut and mounted on driftwood and set on a slice of Cherry burl. The finishes: Hibiscus and leaves, Sanding Sealer and Acrylics plus Krylon Matte Finish on leaves and outside of flower. The inside has high gloss Varathane. Reference: "Carving Realistic Flowers in Wood", by Wanda Marsh.
8/8/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

The Fisherman. This bust of a fisherman in foul weather gear is carved from butternut. It is approximately 5" wide by 6 1/2" tall. The finish is sanding sealer, acrylics, Krylon matte finish on face and shirt and high gloss Varathane on the slicker. Note the uncanny resemblance to Felix!
7/4/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

This is a Classic Purple and White Sterling Rose carved from driftwood. It is finished in sanding sealer, Acrylics, and Krylon Matte finish.
6/6/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

The Three Cowboys was a beginner's attempt to carve western faces from driftwood. The finish is Sanding Sealer, Acrylics on hat, shirt, hair and Krylon Matte finish on all. Reference: "Carving the Historic Western Face", by Bob Lundy.
6/6/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Hibiscus #4... Hibiscus and leaves carved from driftwood then mounted on driftwood and set on a Purple Heart base. Finish: Hibiscus and leaves: Sanding Sealer, Acrylics, Krylon Matte finish all applied before being attached to the unfinished driftwood. The Purple Heart base was immersed in a 20% solution of muriatic acid for about three minutes, rinsed, dried and finished with several coats of Minwax Finishing Wax.
6/6/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

This Birch Hiking Stick was first carved with the many faces then finished in Sanding Sealer and Minwax Finishing Wax.
6/6/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

The Apple is a stylized sculpture made from Basswood. The base is Walnut and stained with MinWax special walnut stain and finished with several coats of Formbys Tung Oil Finish. The apple is brushed with sanding sealer and sprayed with high gloss Varathane.
4/4/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

The Gift is a stylized sculpture of a hand and rose. The hand and base are Walnut. The rose is Basswood. The Base and hand are stained with MinWax special walnut stain and finished with several coats of Formbys Tung Oil Finish. The rose is painted in Acrylics and sprayed with high gloss Varathane.
4/4/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Surfboard Shelf. Bill made this shelf (viewed from the bottom) from Poplar with laminated Walnut racing stripes. The rudder and one of the stripes was cut as a single piece.
2/9/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Two Hibiscus Bill Carved these from Basswood. The first is growing from driftwood and the second on Redwood Burl. Both have an Oak base and are finished with Varathane and Acrylics.
3/7/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Runs with Wolves This carving is made from driftwood and is finished in Acrylic. The first image shows the carving before finishing.
3/7/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

F-16 Carving of an F-16 on a cloud background for Bill's grandson, who is in the Air Force. Made from Poplar and finished with Acrylic.
2/9/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

The Cardinal Bill's latest carving of a face is made from driftwood w/ Varathane finish. Then, it was antiqued by applying Walnut stain and wiping it off 5 minutes later.
2/9/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Hibiscus is one of two carvings for this month from Bill. It is carved from Basswood and finished in Acrylic. The base is driftwood.
1/5/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

This Santa with Floppy Hat is carved also from Basswood and finished in Acrylic.
1/5/2008 Click on image to see closeup.

Windswept is carved from Redwood driftwood. It is finished in wax.
11/2/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

Gone Fishin' is carved from a single piece (except the fish) of an unknown species of driftwood. The bear is finished in Tung Oil.
11/2/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

Size 3 w/ Hammertoe and Spats is also carved from driftwood. It is finished in Varathane.
Bill reminds us to put Safety first!
11/2/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

This Baby Bear is made from Walnut and finished in Tung Oil.
9/7/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

Bill's Grizzly2 is made from Redwood Driftwood (both pieces). The bear is finished with Tung Oil.
9/7/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

The first is a Grizzly Bear. It is made of Stude Walnut and is finished with Tung Oil.
8/3/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

This is a sculpture in which individual carvings of geese (walnut) and fish (tupelo) have been mounted. It is titled "Sea & Sky" and finished with semi-gloss Varathane. The light source from opposite directions shows off the 3-D quality. The simple dado-ed walnut frame wraps up this project.
8/3/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

The title of this carving is Rappelling. It is made from 'Stude' Walnut and finished in Tung Oil. The actual dimensions are approximately 9 1/2"h. x 5"w. x 2"d.
6/9/2007 Click on image to see closeup.

This walnut Entertainment Center was custom-built for an alcove in Bill's son's condo. It was built in two sections, using a full-size pattern for the footprint, which was made on-site from poster boards. The right side is 90 degrees from the back wall, while the left side is 135 degrees from the back wall, creating an interesting clamping problem. The faceframe is solid walnut. Sides are 3/4"walnut plywood. Back is 1/2" walnut-stained birch plywood. Biscuit joinery was used extensively. There are two low-voltage 20-watt lights in the top. If the lights should generate excess heat, there are vent holes hidden behind the top rail of the faceframe. A rocker-style light switch is hidden behind the right stile just above the first shelf. The board against the ceiling (which covers the inevitable gap) has two routed, beaded edges. The beads on both stiles were made using separate pieces of walnut molding, fastened with brads. The top section is 62"h. x 53"w. x 15" d.
The lower section was built and installed first. It is 30"h. x 59"w. x 22"d. It has four flat-panel doors, fixed shelves, a solid walnut top, a solid walnut faceframe and a 3" x3" kick space.. The carcase is birch plywood on a poplar frame.
Finish is Semi-gloss, oil-based Varathane and Finishing Wax..
Click on image to see closeup.
3/25/2006 Click on image for closeup.

ThisCorner Cabinet is a housewarming gift that Bill designed as a stand for a bedroom TV and to provide additional storage. It is 30" high, made from 4/4 Walnut and 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood. The two sides that go next to the wall are 24" wide. The inset panels are solid walnut, resawn from 4/4 boards and planed down to 1/4" thick. The top is solid walnut.
Finish: Minwax Special Walnut Stain and Finishing Wax.
Click on image to see closeup.
10/29/2005 Click on image for closeup.

This pair of Bandsaw Boxes are made from Poplar and finished in Tung Oil and wax.
6/3/2005 Click on image to see closeup.

This Carved Elephant is made from Mahogany and finished in Tung Oil and wax.
5/5/2005 Click on image for closeup.

Puzzle Box.Plans found at http://www.gtcreations.com/appleseed/. Started by gluing up 7 pieces of Poplar (ea. 1x4x6). Bookmatched the ends (alternated the end grain) which you can see on the left side of the first picture. Finished with Sanding Sealer, Tung Oil and Finishing Wax.
3/9/2005 Click on image to see closeup.

This figure is carved from Sugar Pine and the base is stained walnut. The finish is Tung Oil and wax.
3/1/2005 Click on image for closeup.

Bill made this Jewelry Box with Purple Heart, Walnut, and Mahogany inlays. There are Purple Heart splines on the corners. It is finished in Tung Oil and wax.
2/4/2005 Click on image to see closeup.

Bill's CD & DVD Cabinet is made from Poplar and finished in four coats of Tung Oil.
1/7/2005 Click on image for closeup.

The recipe holders are Walnut with special walnut stain and Tung Oil. The Whistles are Walnut with Tung Oil.
12/4/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

Rose Jewelry Box A Walnut jewelry box with engraved roses, finished with Special Walnut Stain, Tung Oil and finishing wax.
11/4/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

Whale Play An interesting effect was created in this band saw box, which began as a teak-veneered dining table leaf. The Poplar core was a glue-up. Veneer was cut off the outside pieces. Veneer on inside pieces produces the striped effect. Finished with Tung Oil & Finishing Wax.
11/4/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

These Whale Pencil Holders and Card Holder were made from Redwood and Walnut and finished with Varathane. The pencil holders are destined for the Interface toy project.
9/2/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

Dresser Top Valet This is a dresser top valet made from Walnut. It has four coats of tung oil. The plans came from the Woodworker's Journal.
8/6/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

Occasional Table made from Walnut hardwood and Birch plywood over a Poplar frame. There is a flush-mounted door and drawer on each end. Finished with Special Walnut stain and semi-gloss Varathane.
4/5/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Oak Chest of Drawers The internal drawer boxes are 1/2" Baltic Birch, including the dado-ed drawer bottoms.Drawers are dovetailed. Dust frames are incorporated into the carcase. Per the owners requirement, it is a 4-drawer chest which appears to have 6 drawers. The top two drawers are really single drawers, with a faux front. Finished with semi-gloss Varathane.
Click on image to see closeup.
7/9/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Double-sink vanity with flush-mounted doors and a center drawer stack. Birch plywood, Walnut hardwood on a Poplar hardwood frame, finished with Special Walnut stain and semi-gloss Varathane. Custom-designed by Bill for his Master Bedroom. The second picture shows it installed on its base with a Corian top.
4/3/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Shot glass Display Oak hardwood display case for son-in-law's shot glass collection. Glass door with brass piano hinge and brass catch. Finished with Golden Oak stain and semi-gloss Varathane.
4/3/2004 Click on image to see closeup.

Bill made these carvings mainly from Stude Walnut. The Grizzly Bear stands on a piece of driftwood picked up at the Oxnard beach.
All are finished in a special Walnut stain, Tung Oil and wax.
2/4/2005 Click on image for closeup.

This collection from Bill Gourlay: The large turtle is made from Walnut and finished in 14 coats of Tung Oil.
The small turtles are made from Mahogany.
The stylized Bull, the Owl, and the G-Clef are made from Walnut
The Spoon is made from Teak.
12/4/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Head... "designer item not included" This is a comic head carved from solid walnut donated by Carl Stude. The finish is Tung Oil.
9/2/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Bill carved 32 of these whimsical shelf mice with a Dremel tool, using plans from a borrowed woodcarvers' magazine. Designed to sit on a shelf, a computer, etc., with the head hanging over the edge, the mice shown here were made from Maple, Walnut (stained and unstained), and Mahogany (stained and unstained). Eyes areseamstress' pins, shortened and epoxied into eye sockets. Whiskers are black paintbrush bristles, individually epoxied into holes drilled by microbits (1/8" shafts), obtained on the Internet from www.ehobbytools.com.
9/2/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Walnut Box Engraved walnut box;3" x 5". Special Walnut stain with Tung Oil.
7/7/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Dolphin
7/7/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Wood Spirit Bill's "Wood Spirit" is made from Redwood driftwood and finished in acrylic gray wash.
6/5/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Cat The cat is solid walnut and is sleeping on a pillow of alder.
5/6/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Sea Birds The seabird and pelican are made from driftwood and walnut.
5/6/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Barefeet Two realistic looking pieces of driftwood slightly enhanced. Special Walnut stain with Sanding Sealer only.
7/7/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Barracuda Natural driftwood with carved fins and black marble eye added. Mounted on an engraved walnut base. Both pieces finished with Special Walnut stain and high gloss Varathane.
4/1/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Rose Basswood carved rose, painted in acrylics, and mounted on driftwood which was finished with Special Walnut stain and high gloss Varathane. The rose was carved as three, nested sections.
4/1/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Wendy Desk Name Plate Engraved walnut desk nameplate. Name (Wendy) chiseled with a Ryobi reciprocating tool/V-bit. Background stippling applied with a Dremel tool/#2 round burr. Not shown here is the back side with its engraved roses and leaves. Finished with Special Walnut stain and Tung Oil.
4/1/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Morning Glories Bill's first carving project. Morning Glories and Leaves carved from Tupelo, mounted on driftwood and painted in natural colors with acrylics. Base is solid walnut with Special Walnut Stain and high gloss Varathane.
3/4/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Coin Banks

Bill made these coin banks from poplar and painted them with acrylics. They consist of a Frog, a Ladybug and twin Beagles for his twin grandsons. Plans for the Beagles and Ladybug were obtained from the Meisel Hardware Specialties catalog. Bill designed the Frog bank.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Doll Cradles

Bill designed and built these doll cradles for two neighborhood sisters.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Bandsaw Boxes

Bill learned how to make these heart bandsaw boxes at CVWA. He has made and painted several for neighborhood children.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Heirloom Rocking Horse

Bill made this solid ash rocking horse from plans obtained from the Cherry Tree catalog. It was created originally for his first two grandchildren. Bill attaches 1" x 3" brass plaques to the crosspieces with the full names and birth dates of each grandchild who rides the horse. The family tradition is that the rocking horse custody remains with the parents of the last grandchild born until he/she outgrows it. It is then passed on to the parents of the next child in line. As of 01/01/03, there were 5 brass plaques on the rocker. The intent is to keep this heirloom rocker moving down the family tree and it's sturdy enough to last hundreds of years.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Marble Tower

Bill made this marble game, primarily from poplar, using plans obtained from the Meisel Hardware Specialties catalog. This project took two months to build, as several parts had to be re-made before they were acceptable. For example, the troughs at the top had to be custom cut to fit various angles on the tower, which continually increases in diameter from top to bottom. A key feature of this project is that, once primed, marbles are automatically fed, one at a time, into the trough. Ten marbles rolling over the course make plenty of noise and fascinate the grandchildren and neighborhood kids.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Penguin See Saw

Bill built this toy from plans provided by our own Gene West, who had earlier brought one to Show & Tell. As it rocks back and forth, the arms and legs swing freely. A heavy oak counterweight is key to its functionality.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Toy Dog

Bill made this toy dog for his granddaughter. It's a simple bandsaw project. Plans for 84 different "layered animals" can be found in The Winfield Collection catalog.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Bandsawn bookends and other items.

Bill made this collection of projects, including bandsawn oak "Pooh" bookends, a redwood shark, redwood deer and redwood whale pencil holder.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Stacking Footstools

Bill made these footstools for a CVWA charity. They are given to schools who have challenged students, those whose legs are too short for a normal student desk.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Santa & Snowman Plate Holders

Bill made these plate holders from plans obtained from the Cherry Tree catalog. The base and tray are oak hardwood. The painted parts are poplar hardwood. His daughter has a pair. Another pair, along with a very nice platter and some really fancy meringue cookies, was donated to a ChildHelp USA charity auction, where they sold for $200
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Old Bag Dispenser

Bill built this simple plastic grocery bag holder for the garage. Put the bags in the top and pull them out the bottom. Plans are available from the Meisel Hardware Specialties catalog.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

James the Butler

Bill had purchased an original James from The Bombay Company. He thought he'd try his hand at duplicating it and this is the result. The 3D head was created from several parts, individually cutout and sanded to shape. It is now in his son Scott's house.
2/24/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Bill Gourlay designed and built these garage storage units for his son, Tracey, with a poplar frame, adjustable shelves and Luan plywood doors.
2/22/2003 Click on image for closeup.

Bill made these two clocks from walnut.
5/6/2004 Click on image for closeup.

Oak Wall Clock
Bill built this smart Walford oak wall clock for his daughter, Lynn, from plans obtained from the Meisel Hardware Specialties catalog, Sealed, no stain, finished with semi-gloss Varathane.
2/22/2003 Click on image for closeup.

The idea for these bird houses came from a small picture in a magazine.
10/13/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Pine Birdhouse Bench

Bill built and painted this decorative pine Birdhouse Bench using plans from Top Quality Woodcraft Products from their Winfield Collection. It is 31" wide x 14" deep x 42" tall. Donated to ChildHelp USA for their semi-annual charity auction. The second Birdhouse Bench was built for his daughter, Lynn.
5/21/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Barbecue Storage Cart

Bill Gourlay built this rustic pine storage cart to a neighbor's specifications. It was finished by the neighbor and purposely made to look weathered. The top working surface is hinged and opens for storage of barbecue and/or garden tools.
2/21/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Decorative Green Table

Bill designed, built and painted the flowers on this decorator item. Made from birch plywood and poplar.
2/21/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Porch Railings

Bill designed and built this 52' long redwood porch railing from porch dimensions provided over the telephone by his son, Bob. It's 52 ft. long and has two 90 degree turns. Bill built it in his own backyard, disassembled it in sections, and transported the completed work to his son's home in Long Beach, where, much to everyone's surprise, it fit perfectly, without alterations. Amazing.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Window Planter Box

Bill designed and built this 7 ft. planter box for a neighbor from birch plywood and poplar hardwood. Drainage holes were drilled in the bottom. It's installed below the neighbor's second story window, complete with potted artificial flowers, which are replaced every 2 years. Painted Forest Green.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Birdhouses

Bill designed and built several birdhouses for his backyard. The "church" has a round, simulated stained glass window painted on the back. Two octagonal birdhouses are shown, a one-story and a two-story. The cupola arches were routed with a 3/4" straight bit and the top finial is from an old lamp. The inner (green) octagon has the holes in it and the outer (white) octagon has arches. Bill made a jig to cut out the arches. The inner piece is partitioned. It slips inside the outer piece and may be removed for cleaning (if a bird ever takes up residence). There's about an 1/8" clearance all the way around. The one-story is about 15" high and the two-story about 24" high. These are real conversation pieces. The third picture is a collection of birdhouses and a feeder.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Utility Caddy

Bill got this very practical idea from a TV show. It's a standard green aluminum (no rust) mailbox purchased at Home Depot, mounted on a 4 x 4 green wood post, to be set in the ground 18" deep. Bill painted the rosebuds and vines. This utility piece is intended for backyard use as a tool caddy, to hold garden tools and gloves. It was made for a Childhelp USA charity auction and sold for $200. Bill made a similar tool caddy for his own backyard and it is in daily use. Nice conversation piece, too.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Turtle

Bill designed and built this fun backyard turtle for the grandkids to play on. It's about 30" long; the body is about 24" across; and it's about 15" tall. The back is constructed of rings, whose elements were biscuited together and bandsawn to shape. Then, the rings were glued and screwed together. Hexagons on the back were made with a Ryobi reciprocating tool.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Air Conditioner Surround

Bill designed and built this piece to enclose an air conditioner compressor in his son Scott's backyard to make it more attractive and partially reduce the sound level. Mortise and tenon joints were used.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Planter Birds

Bill designed these decorative redwood bandsaw birds, composed of two wings, a body and a 1/2" dowel (which will need to be replaced after several years). As you can see, they were a popular item and Bill made several in assembly line fashion.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Round Table

Bill designed and built this redwood plant stand for the patio. The top was bandsawn using a homemade circle-cutting jig.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Seagull Sculpture

Bill created this piece of sculpture on biscuited, redwood 2 x 6's using a Ryobi reciprocating tool. It is mounted on his backyard fence.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Redwood Post People

Bill built and painted these "post people" using plans obtained from the Meisel Hardware Specialties catalog. There's a nautical group and a Christmas group. Notice that the Pirate has a parrot on his shoulder and the old Fisherman in the yellow slicker has a pipe in his mouth. Parts were cut on the bandsaw. Antlers on the reindeer are just twigs. The old Fisherman has been sold. The others remain in protective family custody.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Merry Christmas Reindeer

Bill built this piece from plans and parts obtained from a catalog. The red bulb noses flash. Bill added casters to the bottom to make it easier to move around.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Santa, Sleigh & Reindeer

Bill built this three dimensional outdoor display of Santa in his sleigh, pulled by 3 Reindeer climbing toward the sky, from plans obtained from The Winfield Collection catalog. The 3D is what makes it interesting. The reindeer are mounted on aluminum conduit and the reindeer hips and legs may be disassembled for storage. The spring-loaded snap-on, snap-off joints make it easy. (Bill keeps a smaller scale model of the joints in his workshop as a sample.) When fully assembled on the lawn as shown, it is about 32 ft. long. To raise the plywood sleigh off the wet grass, it is always set on redwood 2 x 4's.
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Kleenex Box Cover with walnut-veneered sides and solid walnut carving of Easter Island statue. Trim is commercially-available inlay strip. Finished with Special Walnut Stain and high gloss Varathane.3/4/04 Click on image to see closeup.

TP Multilevel Condo Bill designed, built and painted this designer piece to store spare rolls of t.p. in his daughter's powder room. Made of poplar, it has shelves to hold 5 individual rolls and a hinged door on the back. 6/20/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Bandsaw Box Art, Jewelry Boxes The three Maple boxes are called Tides, Whale Play and Tsunami. The Black Cherry w/ Maple Drawer Pulls box (at the left) and the Jarrah (from Western Australia) w/ Maple Drawer Pulls box (at the right) are called Cetacian Migration. The one on the right of the third set is Bill's unique design. Finishing on the Maple pieces began with Minwax Wood Conditioner. All pieces were finished with three coats of Minwax Tung Oil + two coats of Minwax Finishing Wax. Drawers are lined with peel and stick felt. These beautiful boxes are as much art as they are functional. Requires a 14" bandsaw (for the largest boxes) with cutting height of 6 ¼". Patterns are from the book "Building Beautiful Boxes With Your Bandsaw", by Lois Keener Ventura
6/20/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Kneeler Assist Bill built this kneeler to fit a standard kneeling pad. The nice feature is that the 18" high sides provide a lot of assistance in getting old bones back up. (An improved version would have an arched support under the crosspiece, so it would be more stable on grass and dirt.)
2/22/2003 Click on image to see closeup.

Rake Headboard
Bill designed and developed this four piece oak bedroom set for his daughter, Lynn. It is made of oak and oak plywood.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Chest of Drawers
A large chest of drawers as shown at the left. Behind the door in the large chest are shelves for sweater storage. It has a solid brass door catch.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Two Night Tables
All four pieces are finished with two coats of Minwax Sanding Sealer and two coats of Satin Varathane.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Bar Setup

Bill designed this bar setup for his son, Tracey. It was made from solid oak and oak plywood. The 6" wide molding around the top (obtained from Conejo Hardwoods) fits the elbows nicely. It consists of a back bar, which was built inside a closet, and a standalone 6 ft. standup bar which sits about 3 feet in front of the back bar. The back bar has a dry sink set into a 3/4" solid oak patterned counter top. Stemmed glasses hang from the support installed above. Side panels are solid oak and oak plywood. The mirror completes the topside. Below the bull-nosed counter top are three drawers and three raised panel doors. Note the framed hole in the wall for the TV (on a hidden closet shelf). The working surface of the bar is solid oak. Behind/below the bar is a 2 cubic ft. refrigerator, a utility drawer, a drawer for wine bottles, and a shelved storage area with a flat panel door.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Backgammon Table

To complement this setup, Bill made an oak backgammon table, with an inlaid veneer game board (purchased from Constantine), surrounded by 1/8" inlaid brass. It has a drawer for holding the game pieces. The legs are tapered on the inside faces.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Bill's Office Furniture for his son's office

Computer Desk
Bill designed an office layout for his son's office to match one seen in a model home. This oak desk (30" high x 36" wide x 72" long) is Part 1 of the project
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

It features a keyboard tray that stows, pulls out, adjusts in height and swivels 360 degrees. The left end of the desk butts against a wall. The picture to the left shows the keyboard tray in operating position and the enclosure for the computer.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Wall Unit
He designed and built this oak wall unit as Part 2 of the project to create an office system based on a model home design for his son.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

The unit is 12" deep x 41" high x 96" long and it hangs on a wall above the desk built in Part 1. This heavy unit is hung on the wall with a six ft. long overlapping aluminum bracket, using stainless steel screws for sheer strength.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Credenza
Bill designed and built this seven-foot oak hardwood and plywood credenza (16"deep x 30"high) as the third part of his son Bob's office. As in most large pieces of furniture he builds, Bill made extensive use of biscuit joinery. The ends of this piece are recessed, flat panels. There are 4 drawers with 100% full extension slides and 4 recessed, flat panel doors with spring-loaded hinges.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Inside each cabinet are adjustable shelves. Originally sanded down to 220 grit, it was finished with two coats of Minwax Sanding Sealer, sanded with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper between coats. Then, 3 coats of semi-gloss Varathane were applied, scuff-sanding with 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper between coats. Finally, it was polished with Minwax Finishing Wax.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

The last picture shows the office floor plan Not shown is the solid oak bridge (16" x 38") that connects the credenza and desk, forming a U-shaped unit. The edges of the bridge were routed as a mirror image of the edges on the desk and credenza to make a flush fit, and it is screwed to the wall studs for primary support, using 2" screws and large fender washers.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Headboard plus a Before and After Chest

For this bedroom project, Bill created a queen size oak headboard and remodeled two large white mahogany chests and two matching night tables for his son. The "before and after" photos of one chest are shown at the left. The well-built mahogany set was the elder Gourlay's very first bedroom set. It was stripped and veneered with 1/8" thick oak. New drawer pulls were installed. All of the pieces were sealed and finished with satin Varathane.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Desk

Bill designed and built this student desk for his granddaughter, Bailey, using poplar and birch plywood. He painted flowers on the drawer front and smaller ones at the corners of the desktop. The finish is semi-gloss Varathane.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Storage Cabinet

The storage cabinet has shelves for school supplies and writing supplies. It has an oak plywood carcase with a solid oak faceframe. The door was acquired from a builder's surplus, already assembled, and free. Again, the finish is semi-glossVarathane.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Oak Bathroom Furniture

Bill designed and built two of these oak bathroom vanities and the oak shoe storage bench for his son, Tracey. The large drawer at the bottom of the vanities accommodates an ample supply of t.p. rolls. The bench includes full extension drawer slides and is a convenient place to sit while changing shoes. As in all of Bill's projects where oak plywood and oak hardwood are joined, biscuit joinery was used extensively.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Bookcases

Bill designed and built these 4' wide bookcases for opposite corners of his family room. Faceframe rails and stiles have a routed beaded edge. Then, Bill installed custom crown molding. Before installing the molding, he nailed some 1 x 2 pine furring strips on the walls next to the ceiling. This provided a nailing bed for the crown molding, such that it could be nailed (with a nail gun) at an angle through the thicker center part of the molding. It also kept the molding from splitting. Tip: prime and paint crown molding before you put it up. It's lots less work and a simple touchup is all that's needed. Crown molding installation is a two person job, and Bill was ably assisted in installing it throughout the house by his wife, Jean.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Fireplace Mantel

Bill designed and built this poplar fireplace mantel for a neighbor's daughter. (The board at the bottom of the legs is just a temporary brace for transporting it.)
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Desk

This 400 hour project was designed by Bill. It is 59" wide, 44" tall and 16" deep. It can be disassembled into 3 major parts. There are 11 drawers, including the pencil drawer below the drop front, which has no drawer pull. The antique replica drawer pulls were special-ordered from the DoIt Center. Each pedestal includes a lockable file drawer. All drawers have steel ball bearing slides with 100% full-extension. The unit was sealed and stained with MinWax Golden Oak stain, followed by 3 coats of Varathane. Finally, I waxed it with Minwax Finish Wax.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Knockdown Display Units

Bill Gourlay designed and built 6 of these unique poplar "window covering display units" for a commercial client for shipment to showrooms around the state. There are 6 display windows in each triangular unit and 3 full-swivel casters on each. Modular units are joined with threaded brass inserts and machine screws. When knocked down, they are easily packaged in custom cardboard containers for shipment. Bill provided detailed Assembly and Disassembly Instructions (text and graphics), along with stubby screwdrivers with each unit. Two units are shown here.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Entertainment Center

Bill recreated a model home feature in this beautiful entertainment center. It was made from poplar with birch plywood raised door panels and melamine shelves. Primed and painted in semigloss white. The TV is on a track that allows it to pull out and swivel. Hardest part was taking detailed measurements at my daughter's new home and building it off site in modular units. The builder wanted $1500 for it. Bill created it for about $350.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Entertainment Center - Mirror Frame - Fireplace Mantel

Bill designed and built these three oak pieces in 2000 for the family room in a son's new house: Entertainment Center (custom-built to fit an existing 4' x 8' alcove); Mirror and Frame (rails and stiles are 1" x 4" red oak, 54" square); and the Fireplace Mantel (approx. 8" deep x 12" high x 6 ft. long). It took 2 extension ladders and 2 people to mount the heavy mirror, with overlapping aluminum tracks.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Music Studio

The client had a need for custom-designed furniture for her studio, where she composes and arranges music. The design requirement included a desk to bridge two existing end tables, to support an electronic keyboard, and a cinema display table to support two large 23" cinema displays. The bridge was made from walnut, poplar and birch plywood and has a pullout at the front and the back. The display table is solid walnut with a tung oil and waxed finish. These two units are shown separately. Then, the working unit is shown from the rear and from the front.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.

Computer Room Furniture

Bill's son had a need for home office computer room furniture and provided general specs for two oak desks, a table, a closet shelf cabinet and a TV wall mount. One simple desk was made for the closet, whose doors were removed. All of the furniture had to be of a knockdown design. (The two file cabinets under the tapered-leg table were purchased previously.) If you click on the small image, you will see other elements.
8/27/2002 Click on image for closeup.