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Thad Trubakoff, Woodworkers Source employee and custom woodworker extraordinaire
When I decided it was finally time to get a small-ish cabinet for organizing my archives of our print promotional materials, I drew a quick stick-figure thing of some cubbies and asked Thad – an employee at our Tempe store – to build it for me.
The inspiration source: my drawing. Perhaps it was the whole "pizza-n-beer-on-me" thing that got his attention?
A week later, he called and said it was finished and ready to be picked up.
Knowing what I told him, and knowing how pathetic my drawing was, and knowing my criteria (“Ummm, I need a thing that holds some stuff . . “), I expected something made of Baltic Birch or maybe just MDF.
You know, something utilitarian; it just made sense to me.
Thad didn’t quite understand my expectations. He built a fine piece of furniture instead. And there’s a good reason for it – building fine furniture is just his style.
How he deduced this fine cabinet from my rudimentary sanskrit will remain a mystery.
Check out his fine projects. Thad is actually just a part-time employee for Woodworkers Source. He’s busy at Arizona State working on a degree in Design Management. It looks like he’s got a long career of building cool stuff ahead of him.
Thad’s Project Gallery:
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The cabinet that started it all for me: red oak plywood with baltic birch dividers
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Base moulding, perfect mitered joinery, and every plywood slat has been edged to conceal the plys. Pretty slick.
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Hammock Chair: birch dowels roped together form this chair (rather reminicent of a taxi driver’s seat cover, no?) is supported by the maple and jatoba framework.
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More hemp cord action. The tension of the cord and curly maple slats keep this table upright. Notice that cocobolo top.
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A ceramics instructor commissioned Thad to build this elegant maple shelving display
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Thad’s also dabbled in turning. Walnut vessel with a curved maple base
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Another walnut bowl
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The Hook and Lace stool: Maple, cherry, walnut, hemp, and cocobolo
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The hemp cordage provides both structural and visual tension
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The inspiration source: my drawing. Perhaps it was the whole “pizza-n-beer-on-me” thing that got his attention?
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Thad Trubakoff, Woodworkers Source employee
Vice President of Operations – Woodworkers Source
We’re a family-owned lumber & woodworking supply retailer with 3 delightful stores in Arizona, and 35 friendly employees.
Mark oversees the company and creates tutorials on wood finishing and woodworking tips for hardwood lumber.
Woodworkers Source is a division of MacBeath Hardwood Co.
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