Here's a MUST HAVE catalog......

[merci_me]

We got a catalog yesterday from Van Dyke's Restorers (300+ pages). I'm still drooling and wandering around here trying to decide where I can change hardware, replace furniture legs, add moldings, change floor registers, chair seats, add tin ceilings, heck even a $6K reproduction stove (the shipping is FREE!!)

Anyway, I checked their site and there are things not in the catalog, but there are things in the catalog not on the site. Plus, you can curl up with the catalog and all the wonderful pictures.

I've been looking for hardware for the bathroom reno and some of the prices are better than the big box stores. Plus, I found the most wonderful toilet tissue holder (not on their website) for only $20. It's a reproduction of an old European holder. It's brass and stamped with the original patent number and manufacturer's name, which is really fun, cause it's "The Crown Toilet Fixture". Just the perfect little touch to put on the wall next to the "throne".

I don't know if they charge for the catalog or not. Ours just showed up, probably because of all the woodworking magazine lists my husband is on. You can order the catalog at their site www.vandykes.com

Mary

[LiberalUprising]

1. Thanks for this link Mary

What a great site! Now if I only had a little cash....

[mourningdove92]

2. Just ordered the catalog. Its FREE.

Works for me.

[KarenS]

3. Thanks for the info !!

I ordered a catalog too,,,,

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

4. Thanks for the link, tres cool stuff!

we are going to be changing some things in out bathrooms and it looks like there are some things there will do nicely.

[eleny]

5. They have some great stuff

I was looking for rubber wheels for my granparents' old victrola and it look like they have what I need. Thanks for posting about the company!

[Phentex]

6. Thanks! I just ordered one.

:)

[dweller]

7. mine came in this week

that's a chock full catalog!

just fun looking at it, inspirational for a new project.

dp

[Lugnut]

8. Mine came this past week

Oh my. Among other things the cabinet hardware selection is wonderful. This is a fantastic resource for restorers and furniture builders. The Hoosier cabinet kits made me drool too. :)

[crispini]

9. Wow, cool.

Great website, thanks!

[HullBoss]

10. Very cool site

Just ordered my book also

[DancingBear]

11. Well, there goes THAT little secret

I build furniture for a living, and my brethren and I have been using these folks for years.

Now if you want the REALLY good stuff get a catalog from Horton Brasses. Their hardware (mostly hinges and locking hardware) is pure brass- nothing plated. The last piece of furniture I built (a cherry step-back cupboard) was happily fitted with Horton hardware.

Just don't tell anyone. :)

[politicat]

12. Want a long distance apprentice?

I am actually quite serious. I've been slowly learning to build furniture, starting with very simple 2x4 and 1x4 book cases for paperbacks and working my way up. I built our dining room table last August from some recycled banister poles and recycled wood from the recycling place, and I'm thinking that I may want to rebuild the table to accommodate a leaf or two at some point in the future.

I'm assuming you're not close enough for me to come clean up your shop and wash out brushes, but I have other skills that can work at a distance...

[DancingBear]

16. I think the commute would kill me

:)

I'm on the east coast (VA), and getting ready within a year or so to move back to New England.

I have a friend in NC who I work with - he does a lot of chair work for me, as carving Windsor chair seats doesn't really help elbow tendinitis. :)

I have a 12" jointer w/spiral cutter heads, so I do a lot of the prep work on his bigger pieces for him.

Works out pretty well.

I used to be really good friends with a guy just down the road from me hat was one of the best veneer artisans that I had ever sen, but it turns out he is a big * backer, and might even be a fundy. I've let the friendship lapse.

When you decide to add that leaf to the table, let me know, and I'll let you in on some really nice hardware that makes it easy to do. It's not cheap, but it's not that expensive either, and it works very smoothly.

Also, if I can be of any help to you (tool recommendations, "how-to" stuff, etc.) PM me!!

[yy4me]

14. Horton is great but have you ever bought from

Ball & Ball? They have even copied period hardware for us. You know, have 7 Chippendale brasses, need 8. Did an exact job and was very reasonable.

[DancingBear]

15. Yes, quite a few times

You're right about their "period hardware" service. A friend of mine was doing a period reproduction of a Ben Franklin writing desk, and they hit the hardware almost dead-on perfect, for a very reasonable price.

Where I live (northern VA), I get a lot of potential clients from a very wealthy suburb, and almost without fail their "ideas" for furniture usually encompass a little Federal, a little Chippendale, some Queen Anne, etc. - ALL TOGETHER in one piece.

The looks on the faces when I tell them that I won't build it (because "um, those styles really should not be incorporated all at once" and "it's my name that goes on it in the end") - priceless. :)

[yy4me]

17. Yipes, someone who knows not to combine the big "4",

Its a pleasure to hear that you talk your customers out of some of their outrageous ideas. We were antiques dealers for years and would constantly be amazed at what people would ask for or "call me if you get". For years we would try to educate our customers using the Sack books, a little Nutting, a few favorite Federal furniture texts and the "Master Craftsmen of Newport" and other reference books. We tried to teach them about furniture history, line, design, proportion, workmanship. Some were good students, some never learned, no matter how hard you would try. In your profession, I'm sure you have had to learn the fine are of "tact". My better half still restores furniture, but just for the family. We just about jump out of a moving car if someone throws a piece of mahogany out for the rubbish truck. Picked up 4 figured mahogany table leaves in their case just a short time ago. I was so excited. (Would anyone else understand this?. Anyway, its fun to divert a little from other parts of DU for a minute.)

[Kingshakabobo]

13. Wow! Cool! It's porn for a weekend warrior. Thanks. n/t