Hi guys, looking for someone who can do finish work around the tank

[stlouisguy]

If you know of anyone that can help me do the finish work around the tank please let me know. I can do basic carpentry but the problem is it always looks like basic carpentry

I don't mind paying if you know a good contractor who does evening or weekend side jobs either. I basically need to have flip up doors around the top of the tank and nice finish work or cabinet skin with door along the bottom

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ocicat]

Pat Keller, Keller Custom Woodcrafting:
www.kellercustomwoodcrafting.com
pkeller@kellercustomwoodcrafting.com
Cell 314-520-2231

rgpennell recommended him, and I was totally thrilled with him and his work. Very reasonable prices also.

Here are some pics of my stand/canopy:

Stand & canopy under construction

Completed

Front view w/Pat

Closeup of cabinet doors <-- He made these doors himself. They are mounted flush with the face of the stand.

Closeup of canopy w/feeder door <-- The sliding feeder door (rather than a hinged door) was his idea - it is on a wooden track and works beautifully.

It is all walnut, and he made everything by hand, including the doors and trim. You are welcome to stop by and see it in person.

 

[Letmegrow]

I would do swing open insted of flip up doors.

Flip ups usually use one long board that warps and plus you have to worry about it hitting you in the head.

Swing open are far more practical.

 

[Ocicat]

BTW, I think Pat has done a lot of built-in projects. There are some on his site, and he recently emailed me pics of some others, which I can send you if you like.

 

[stlouisguy]

Thanks I will check him out. I figure at this point I want it to be perfect.

 

[stlouisguy]

Just talked to Pat, what a great guy! Looks like he will be doing the finish work as long as the price is in line

 

[Ocicat]

That's great. I do hope the price works out - I got quotes from 3 different guys and he was the cheapest, and I don't see how anyone else could have done a better job than he did.

I just talked to him yesterday on email - he wrote to check in and see how everything is holding up with my canopy. As you may or may not recall, I posted a while back because my canopy was warping. He had never done aquarium furniture before, and I gave him some bad advice when we discussed how to waterproof it (it was solid walnut, had almost no ventilation, and was finished with a combo of 1 water-based product and 1 oil-based product that I read about on DIY...). Well, I thought the canopy was ruined... He took it back to his shop, did some more research (as did I), and stripped and repaired it completely, re-finishing it, installing extra braces, and installing holes for the 4 fans I bought. It is now perfect, solid as a rock. (I will take and post a new pic.) Anyhow, he did not want to charge me anything for the repair work (I felt like it was at least half my fault), even though he spent money and time fixing it. He only cared that it was done right and I was happy. He takes a lot of pride in his work.