You dream it we build it

03/25/2025

My favorite muralist. Awesome!

11/24/2024

06/01/2024

The Henry O. Studley tool chest is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship and engineering that has captivated the attention of tool enthusiasts and woodworkers for decades. It is considered one of the most intricate and beautifully designed tool chests ever created.

Henry O. Studley, a piano and organ maker from Quincy, Massachusetts, crafted this extraordinary tool chest in the late 19th century. The chest is a masterpiece of organization and efficiency, designed to hold a vast array of tools in a compact and visually stunning manner.

The tool chest measures approximately 39 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 9 inches deep when closed. It is made primarily of mahogany, with intricate inlays of ebony, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and various other exotic woods. The exterior of the chest is adorned with ornate carvings and decorative elements, showcasing Studley's attention to detail and artistic flair.

What makes the Studley tool chest truly remarkable is its interior. When opened, the chest reveals a meticulously arranged collection of over 250 tools, all neatly organized and secured in custom-made holders and compartments. The tools include a wide range of hand tools, measuring instruments, and even musical instruments such as a violin and a flute.

The interior of the chest is a symphony of precision and efficiency. Every tool has its designated place, and each tool holder is carefully designed to maximize space and accessibility. Studley ingeniously incorporated hinges, pivots, and sliding mechanisms to allow the tools to be easily accessed and displayed when the chest is opened.

The tool chest also features a fold-out workbench, complete with a vise and tool storage compartments. This portable workbench allows Studley to work on his projects wherever he went, making it a versatile and practical addition to the already impressive tool chest.

The craftsmanship and attention to detail exhibited in the Studley tool chest are truly awe-inspiring. It is a testament to the skill and dedication of Henry O. Studley as a craftsman and artist. The chest has become an iconic symbol of excellence in woodworking and a source of inspiration for generations of craftsmen.

Today, the Studley tool chest is housed in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. It is often displayed as a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of craftsmen from the past and continues to inspire and amaze those who have the opportunity to see it in person.

01/01/2024

A customer asked me how much it cost to do this job....
I answered him: $ 1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $ 800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"
- For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $300 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work.
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Bureaucratic, tax, security, insurance, fuel etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Do you have them? You can do it for me before?"
- Okay!
- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 to load the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time
- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I’m used to getting up later...
- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- Punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations

No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

PS: I did not write this, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
I have no clue what's appropriate for a welder I build strange and unique things in North Texas.

07/17/2023

Dream Concept Fabrication Completion

03/20/2023

Pinocchio probably lives in this shop. From the FB page Weird & Wonderful.

10/14/2022

Remember those paper airplanes we used to make in elementary school? Mine have gotten bigger. Design an fabrication by You Dream It. Hours of welding, fabrication and project management by Michael Maddox and Angie Maddox for the Will’s Point High School Marching Band.

07/09/2022

05/20/2022

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1597714307266196?fs=e&s=cl

01/12/2022

What’s your dream?

12/06/2021

Congratulations Kelly and The Cookery on five years in Dallas two years in Fort Worth, and your new location in Houston. https://www.thecookeryhouston.com

If you think you'll work from recipes at Kelly Huddleston's new cooking school in the Dallas Design District, think again.

10/25/2021

Long long ago, I built this trash can for The James Gang, GSD&M, and Don’t Mess with Texas.