My first Duplex

[Scott_W]

Well this got alot of interest on JLC when I posted it, so maybe it will drum up a little discussion (and my post count :o).

I was contacted by a friend and mentor about building an urn for himself and his wife a year or so ago. His health took a turn and he was unable to continue building stuff himself (furniture/cabinet builder).

The kicker is, when I was a little kid, I would watch him while he worked as my family lived a few streets over. We lost touch over the years, and I probably hadn't seen him in about 20yrs. You can imagine my surprise when I was asked to build this over the phone, let alone him trusting enough in my skills.

I was able to finish it in time for him to critique it, before he went to the hospital for the last time. He kept joking when I would bring it by that it looked done and that "he could go now". I would laugh and say, well I am not done and I would bring it home and do some more work.

Once it was finished, it was a bitter sweet moment, as both of us admired his vision come together, then we both realized what it meant. I bet in his wildest dreams he never would have thought that little kid peeking into his shop, watching his every move would one day be good enough to have the honor of building his final resting place.

If you ever come across some kid that seems interested in what you are doing, give them a chance and spend some time to teach them a few things. Moments like this can change the direction one goes in life. Although you might just have them doing simple things, pulling nails, sweeping floors, whatever, that is priceless for kids, just feeling like they belong. I was always "little Scotty", even at 35 when he passed.

He passed away shortly after.

Hopefully I can post a pic.

[Scott_W]

Ok... it actually let me post a pic, so here are a few more.

scott

[Bender]

That is a nice story Scott.
Nice work as well.

[Scott_W]

Thanks Dan, I was REALLY nervous about building it, as this guy did some REALLY nice work. I was afraid of it looking "cheap" and a homemade box. He got a little choked up when he saw it.

He told me to take whatever wood I wanted from his shop. I didn't have the heart at the time. And still to date no one has gone in there. I will have to come up with something nice to build for sure.

I guess he also has a number of projects left unfinished (for his wife). I may finish them for her.

scott

[SLS-Construction]

Nice craftsmanship and my condolonces to you, your mentors wife and everyone else whose life he touched

[Scott_W]

Thanks, he encouraged me to try and build and sell these things. I don't know if there would be any money in it though.

scott

[Leo G]

So you killed the old man by finishing the project. :mad2:

It all looks great. He'll have a beautiful place to rest in eternity.

[WarnerConstInc.]

So you killed the old man by finishing the project. :mad2:



Damn Leo, only you!!:laugh3:

So what is a Duplex? I thought it was going to be about a multi-family house.

[OGStilts]

I thought I was looking forward to hearing a story about the little excavator in your avatar but I'm sure this story was better. Thanks for sharing.

[Leo G]

Damn Leo, only you!!:laugh3:

So what is a Duplex? I thought it was going to be about a multi-family house.


It reminded me of my Grandfather. He was in the convalescent home and he was dying. Everyone had gone to see him except me. The last time I saw him he was still in pretty good health and this is the way I wanted to remember him. Well, my parents forced me to go see him before he passed, so I did. He died the next day. He was basically holding on until he saw everyone. So in my mind as a youth I was the one that brought him to the mindset that he could let himself go. This was quite a long time ago. But I see it as a similarity to what had happened here.



.

[WarnerConstInc.]

It reminded me of my Grandfather. He was in the convalescent home and he was dying. Everyone had gone to see him except me. The last time I saw him he was still in pretty good health and this is the way I wanted to remember him. Well, my parents forced me to go see him before he passed, so I did. He died the next day. He was basically holding on until he saw everyone. So in my mind as a youth I was the one that brought him to the mindset that he could let himself go. This was quite a long time ago. But I see it as a similarity to what had happened here.



.


Same exact thing with my grandpa, he had dimensia and turned into a child.
He was the guy that taught me about working on the farm, coon hunting, and building things. That was the grandpa I wanted to remember.


So what is a Duplex? Canadian term? Or a urn for two?

[Dusty]

That's really cool, Scott.
A few years back a fella I knew built a casket for his ill sister upon her request. As hard as it was for him, it meant a lot to Nancy and the family.
I am sure that urn you built was an absolute treasure to your old friend. That was sweet of you to take on that project and provide him with a beautiful resting place.

[Scott_W]

Damn Leo, only you!!:laugh3:

So what is a Duplex? I thought it was going to be about a multi-family house.

The duplex was just a joke. It has 2 units one for him and one for his wife.

Probably one of the most satisfying projects I have ever done. He insisted on paying, didn't ask how much, just said to let him know. He was self employed all his life so he knew the struggle we all face.

On final delivery, he questioned where the bill was, and I told him that it was an honor to build it for a man of his talent and calibre. All I asked of his was a full on honest critique. Which he gave. I think he was quite surprised at how far I came from the little kid staring over his shoulder!

scott

[Scott_W]

So you killed the old man by finishing the project. :mad2:

It all looks great. He'll have a beautiful place to rest in eternity.

I believe it is true what they say, people can decide "when" they are ready to go. And yes his family said he wanted to see it completed. He had always meant to build it himself and just never got around to it. The walnut sat in the rafters of his garage for over 20yrs apparently!

scott

[Scott_W]

I thought I was looking forward to hearing a story about the little excavator in your avatar but I'm sure this story was better. Thanks for sharing.

I can post a thread if you like. Most of this I have posted on other sites already though.

scott

[Scott_W]

It reminded me of my Grandfather. He was in the convalescent home and he was dying. Everyone had gone to see him except me. The last time I saw him he was still in pretty good health and this is the way I wanted to remember him. Well, my parents forced me to go see him before he passed, so I did. He died the next day. He was basically holding on until he saw everyone. So in my mind as a youth I was the one that brought him to the mindset that he could let himself go. This was quite a long time ago. But I see it as a similarity to what had happened here.



.

I guess I should have read more... yup just like I said before, when it is time I believe they decide when to let go. The same thing happened with my grandfather, although he was quite sick(cancer). He kept asking for me. After seeing him he passed shortly after.


scott

[Scott_W]

That's really cool, Scott.
A few years back a fella I knew built a casket for his ill sister upon her request. As hard as it was for him, it meant a lot to Nancy and the family.
I am sure that urn you built was an absolute treasure to your old friend. That was sweet of you to take on that project and provide him with a beautiful resting place.

It's crazy, but I didn't think it would turn out at all. He basically gave me a pic of one he liked and we made a few changes. He told me how big he wanted it and we went from there.

It is weird, but it just "came together" as silly as that sounds! No mistakes, no multiple tries, did it once (other than mocking up the dentle trim). No plans, drawings or anything. I just built as I went.

scott

[Leo G]

You were guided by a force higher up......

[Bender]

I can post a thread if you like. Most of this I have posted on other sites already though.

scott
What the heck are you waiting for???
;)

[Scott_W]

What the heck are you waiting for???
;)

ok... I will start another thread.

scott