Mckaskell Haindl

04/26/2026

Before and after - what do you think? It’s a proposal - I’ve tried to follow the original carver’s lines and sculpting, removed the varnish and remaining sand from the last refinishing effort, and prepped for new finish. Took a little longer than I’d hoped (nothing new to any of us working in heritage), and it was tough on the tools so a few trips to the stones and buffer. But is the re-establishment of the detail obvious? Is removal of the early wood/late wood deterioration worth the effort?

04/23/2026

At Clay, we think about these things AND we act on them….we encourage you to invest in the future as well

04/19/2026

Working on a proposal re re-carve a neo-gothic portico instead of soda blasting so as to re-establish the carved details which were lost when it was sandblasted during its last refinishing back in the 90s. My first video with commentary - sorry for the glitches and awkwardness 🤷🏻‍♂️

04/18/2026

A project long overdue - this was my first bench and it has been used for an absolute ton of work! Given me by the first pipe organ builder I worked for, Thom Linken, it’s sturdy enough for mallet work when carving on a brace, but light enough to travel. I’ve taken it to the cottage to carve on the beach, and for awhile I had it on the front porch so I could carve outside - one of my favourite things to do. This year I have plans to do some public demonstrations over the summer and into the fall, so I’m doing a little restoration work and making it ready!

04/18/2026

Best of London 2026 Awards are now open for voting until May 10th....and we need your help by voting!

Every project we take on is a reflection of the care, craftsmanship, and collaboration that defines our team. Whether you’ve worked with us on a custom renovation, admired one of our Parade homes, or just love seeing our bright trucks around town, we’d be honoured to have your vote.

Here’s how YOU can help:
👉 Visit the Best of London voting page https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3Pv1i2PiuIrIptYpsuAuGzwNvnFP13LffcH7qUBtUMGyjmA/viewform
👉 Choose an Industry - Clay is under Home & Garden
👉 Vote for Clay under the following categories:
Best Bathroom Renovation Contractor
Best Cabinetry & Millwork Firm
Best Kitchen Renovation Contractor
Best Renovator/General Contractor

Voting is open until May 10th, and every vote makes a difference!

Thank you for your continued support - we couldn’t do this without you!

04/15/2026

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

Saying goodbye to an old friend. Doug Johnstone made this clamp rack years ago when the shop was on Adelaide Street. It’s served well, but we need to maximize floor space at so it’s being modified and re-purposed. An old friend once told me working shops don’t have enough time to make jigs and fixtures in the first place and, since the ‘temporary’ ones tend to be kept and re-used - it’s usually best to make things to last!

03/19/2026

For realz 😁🤞