It’s been about 2 weeks since I’ve posted anything, so here’s an update on my kitchen cabinet job. I have all the carcases built, stained and topcoated. They have been sitting and curing for about 2 days now and I lightly sanded them with some wet/dry sandpaper to smooth everything out. I think they turned out great. Cabinetmaking is a lot different than building furniture, but it has been a pleasure to change things up a little. Looking back at the knowledge I have gained, I feel like I could reach the point I’m at now on another job in a week. But I guess that’s the process. Build…figure things out…get faster…build some more…figure more things out. I still have to make all the doors and drawers, but I have some helpers coming on Monday to help install the carcases. So I guess I’ll be working on doors and drawers next week a day or two and then again the week after Christmas. I’ll post another update somewhere in there…maybe after installing the carcases (I sure hope I measured correctly 
)
On another note. After staining/finishing these pieces I have done so far, it really made me think hard about getting an HVLP rig. I really like the looks and reviews of the Earlex SprayStation Pro. I think I’m going to pick one of those up in the next 6 months or so, but after researching conversion guns and turbine systems online, I pretty much determined that the el-cheapo Harbor Freight HVLP Spray System was the same as the system sold by Rockler. The Rockler system is listed (at the time anyway) at $122.99 and the HF at $89.99. There were very good user reviews of the Rockler system (I think out of 68 reviews, only about 5 were negative), but the unit is completely plastic and I just decided to wait and get the Earlex. Well, I do not get into Harbor Freight very much except to buy glue brushes and other small items, but I walked in today and took a look at the spray system. They were having a sale and I actually walked out of the store with it for somewhere around $65.00. I got home and unpacked it…it is definitely just about all plastic, but I was quite impressed. I loaded some water up in it and tested it in the sink and I was impressed again. The next thing I did was immediately place an order with Target Coatings for some water based stain, grain filler/glaze base and water based lacquer. I can’t wait for this stuff to come in so I can put it through its paces and see if it will surprise me or if I just blew $65.00. I mean come on…If it gives me a decent finish on one piece of furniture or a set of cabinets then it has more than paid for itself (and if not…I’ll throw it in the trash and chuck it up to $65.00 in education). That all said, I still fully intend to invest in the Earlex in the very near future…I’ll let you know how it goes. –J
