norcalmod

Mike and Mendi's Insta-kitchen

While not "instant", covering the renovation of Mike and Mendi's kitchen (and half of the garage) was a fun project last summer. Proper updates to come soon, but there was some pretty major structural and electrical reconstruction under layers of finished drywall... plus two new exterior doors and a window. Oh, and a solid butcher-block walnut countertop. #whew ...

Insta-adventures

If you look around, you'll find that the Norcalmod universe is varied and somewhat fluid. From building furniture to renovating bathrooms (to making furniture for bathrooms), fitting things in one box has been a challenge and keeping things up-to-date in the cyber-world is time consuming when you're also your own marketing staff.

That said, Instagram has been nice in that updates can be a bit more frequent and spontaneous. If you haven't checked it out, find us at www.Instagram.com/NorCalMod ...

For the sake of the blog-o-sphere, here are some updates and snapshots that might have been missed in the mix.

[What started as a one-off for my kid turned into a small run of instrument hangers]

New Adventures in Hi-fi

We started a few years ago with the creation of the Integrated-CSSU — a storage unit with built-in speakers. Since then, we've been experimenting with audio here and there, and think we've found something worth sharing... and selling: speakers. Specifically, bookshelf speakers sized to pair with small desktop amplifiers like the newly popular tri-path amplifiers and a new generation of tube-based amplifiers — each putting out under 15-50W/channel... which, when paired with these speakers will fill a room with amazing sound while looking amazing.

New Category + New Service (Restoration Services)

One of the things that's hard to do is define oneself as a craftsman, artist, designer, etc... and with multiple projects afoot (some personal, some commercial), it's hard to draw lines. The enterprise, as it is, started with the renovation of our own Eichler-built house which begat RedneckModern. It didn't take too long to find folks who needed things that I could do and their projects became my projects... then, the things I built for myself became things that others wanted to buy. The later notion created NorCalMod.

Over the past few years, in addition to designing and making furniture, I've also been restoring it. From simple cosmetic fixes to more structural bits, it's been something to keep the workshop dusty... so much that it now deserves it's own category and soft launch.

Hey, folks, I'm restoring old furniture. Hit me up!

Seriously, there's probably three times as many pieces that I've not documented, but I'll detail the ones I have documented here. Over the years, I've developed a few decent techniques specifically to bring new life back to original Eames/Herman Miller chairs — both fiberglass and DCMs and LCWs.

So, watch for a few new posts that I've carried over from RedneckModern as their more proper home is here at NorCalMod.

Meanwhile, outside of the workshop

As many readers know, Norcalmod was born from Redneckmodern ... and in time, it will likely be the entity that remains after the renovation that started *rnm is finished off. In the meantime, there are still quite a few projects to finish off and there's a good bit of overlap in the two worlds — namely in the world of materials.

One of the materials I've been using in the renovation is a wood-plastic composite from CaliBamboo called BamDeck. What first struck me about the products is that it is the only product of its type that is not grained to look like wood. It has always seemed odd to me that folks would take plastic and imprint a wood grain on it. The BamDeck material is striated like broom-finished concrete and is quite nice. It's also workable with Carbide-tipped tools and takes to machining fairly well.

So far, I've used it to mill a post stand-off for Mendi's door, topped a retaining wall and used it for its intended purpose: decking... all with fantastic results. I also expect to work it into a few furniture pieces as well and have plans to use it in the next rev of the ModKatBox since it is impervious to moisture.

New Design Option: Integrated Door Guides

Along with the addition of the Composite Shelf Veneer, we've added the option of integrated door guides into the design of the CSSU. Previously, doors have been added via a rail system on the face of the units. Both have their charms, but with the additional thickness that the veneer adds, making channels into the shelves themselves becomes more of an option.

New Material Choice: Composite Shelf Veneer

We've been busy in the NorCalMod workshop prototyping with new techniques and materials. The basis of them is the use of a resin-cellulose composite veneer on top of our maple multi-ply.

Shipping a CSSU

Even if you don't live in the Bay Area, getting a CSSU to you isn't too hard. This one's going to Lauren in Atlanta.

Introducing: The Integrated CSSU

I just finished off the most ambitious build to date and have launched the latest CSSU version... the Integrated CSSU which integrates audio into the CSSU concept: think gaming centers, turntable stands, entertainment units, etc.

The first unit was built as an entertainment center to house standard-width (17in) audio gear. It is a standard depth of 14in, but we can also build a deeper 18 or 20in version for deeper components. It features integrated 2-way acoustic-suspension speakers constructed as separate pieces prior to integration into the CSSU — they're quite robust... and they look, and sound, fantastic.

Some features of the series:

• Traditional CSSU construction with anodized aluminum standards, optional adjustable feet, maple or birch main shelving with a choice of contrasting wood or colors.
• 6.5in or 8in 2-way speakers with poly or kevlar woofers in an acoustic-suspension design
• Dual-voice center channel and subwoofer (passive or active) available
• White, frameless speaker grills
• Adjustable center shelves
• 18.5in bays to accommodate standard-width audio gear
• Customizable speaker width (see below designs)

The first unit was constructed of Baltic birch main shelves with teak veneered speakers (6.5in poly cones). It features adjustable feet and comes in at 56(w)x14(d)x24(h). Click on the phots for larger, clearer versions and contact me if you're interested in spec-ing out your own Integrated CSSU.

CSSU // Option: Adjustable Feet

I've developed an adjustable foot option for the CSSU shelving. These feet can be speced as an option to replace the PVC-capped feet. Depending on the wood used, they add between $5 (maple) and $8/foot (walnut, mahogany).

Ask about them when designing your CSSU shelving unit!

CSSU adjustable foot shown in walnut.

CSSU adjustable foot shown in mahogany.