Imagine seeing a photograph of something in a magazine, then building it with no instructions and no dimensions whatsoever.
Oxford resident Bill Sweeney did just that when an unusual curved cabinet shown in the July/August 2004 issue of Woodworker’s Journal caught his eye.
‘It just intrigued me, this goofy-looking thing, so I thought I’d try and make it,? he said.
With no measurements to go by, Sweeney said he estimated its base was ‘about 18 inches,? then ‘scaled? the cabinet’s ‘width, height and depth? using that figure and the photo.
Having no idea what the actual degree of the cabinet’s curve was, Sweeney kept drawing arcs on a flat piece of wood until he found one that was ‘close.?
‘I liked the challenge of building it. It’s really unusual,? said Sweeney, who moved to Oxford in 1986 after living in Orion since 1939.
Sweeney originally built the leaning cabinet, made from select pine, as a ‘conversation piece? for the lobby of his son’s real estate office in Birmingham.
‘But he had (the lobby) remodeled and I thought it might look out of place now.?
For now, the cabinet sits in the living room of Sweeney’s Oxford Oaks condo, holding a few of wife Jean’s knickknacks.
‘I don’t know what I’m gonna do with it,? he said. ‘Jean likes it, so I guess we’ll keep it.?
In case you’re wondering, this wasn’t Sweeney’s first foray into the world of woodworking and building.
He started building things about 10 years ago, needing ‘something to do? in his retirement ‘besides golf.?
In 1992, Sweeney closed his Lake Orion Furniture and Appliance store after 42 years of ownership.
Today, Sweeney’s Oxford condo is filled with furniture he’s built including a beautiful wet-bar (he also plumbed) in the basement.
Sweeney’s pieces can also be found throughout the 1,500-unit condo complex in Vero Beach, Florida where he and his wife spend seven months out of the year.
‘I make all kinds of cabinets and buffets and hutches for people down there,? said Sweeney showing many photos of his creations like a proud father.
In addition to all the chests, tables, jewelry boxes, desks, curio cabinets and entertainment centers he’s built for his Florida neighbors, Sweeney also constructed a ping-pong table for the condo complex.
When he’s not on a Florida golf course three days a week, Sweeney is busy in the condo complex’s woodworking shop. He even serves on a committee that oversees the shop and keeps all the equipment in tip-top condition.