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Coyote Country Cabinets, 506 Pleasantview Lane, Lakin, KS (2026)

10/16/2023

Hello to all my followers.... I've been totally MIA from this page for more than a year. Does that mean I have been not doing anything in the shop? No, not at all. I've been busy with new additions to the family. A great granddaughter was born in July 2022. So Grandpa has been busy being a Great grandpa. We are so blessed to have her in our life.

I hope that I can remember even half of the projects I've completed. I've accomplished furniture restoration, new furniture, rough construction, bathroom remodels and carpentry projects.

I was contacted, by a return client in Deerfield, to build a china cabinet and was pretty much left to build a design as I liked, just with some specific dimensions. Loved the final result.

It appears that my reputation spread to Deerfield as I seemed to do quite a bit of work for people over there. Another couple had purchased an old church pew and needed to have it shortened up for their personal use. The problem was the pew had only one finished end and I was commissioned to duplicate the other end. The piece was going to be painted so using a nice hardwood was not required. I would challenge anyone to determine my dupe was not original.

Another client was recommended to call me by the couple I built the china cabinet to build a back door mud-room type wall cabinet so they would have a place to sit and remove shoes and storage. They also wanted it to blend in with the remodel decor. They, and myself, were very happy with the result.

A few weeks later the couple whom I did the church pew for, returned to ask about building a new kitchen table for their kitchen. Painted base and a rustic hickory top. Although I purchased the legs, the rest was completed in the shop.

Local clients contacted me to build some kitchen cabinets for a hunting cabin, to which I jumped at the opportunity. A simple “L” shaped kitchenette. They wanted it to be in a country style and painted. The result was quite nice.

A good friend of mine, who lives in Nebraska, called one day to ask me if I would look at a project his wife had acquired. It was a very large oak cabinet that had been used in a mechanical shop. The doors were off their hinges and in pieces, water and rodent damage riddled the cabinet case. It had other parts missing but the possibilities were great. Leo and I worked hard to rebuild this beauty and the finished project were fantastic and the clients were ecstatic.

A neighbor/friend had asked me a long time ago if I would help him build a 'cajon drum'. I had no idea what it was, but when he showed me what he was looking for, I thought, “sure, why not”. He acquired all the 'drum parts' snares and sound board and we got to work. He gave them to a couple of his grandkids. He got quite a few complements and 'orders' for a few more.... so far we haven't done them.

A former student called me one day looking for me to build them a baby gate for their down staircase. What they had been using was no longer working as their little guy figured out how to get by it. It was decided that the end result would be a permanent solution, so we built it to match the existing woodwork. It will take a while before the little guy can get through this one. Shortly after completing the babygate another former student requested one for their house as well and so a second one was built. Both, very customized to the specific houses.

After completing the babygate the one client told me they were going to be working in their basement and needing some cabinetry there. So we designed and built a kitchenette for their basement.
My grandson, Ben, who is in his last semester at K-State, and his girlfriend were moving from the apartment in Manhattan to Lawrence as his girlfriend is going to grad school to become a pharmacist, and the apartment they were in was furnished, the new one not so. So they requested a couple of chests of drawers for each of their bedrooms. So the plan was drawn up and then Leo decides he could use one as well. So, if you are building two, three isn't that much more work. The results were great.

I went to visit my sister one day and she mentioned that she needed to do something about the railing around her front porch needed replacing. She had talked to a guy about doing it. One day she stopped by our house and said she really liked the one we had and asked if I would talk to her guy, giving him the information about it. I told her if she wanted to do that style, I would be happy to do it for her. So another trip to visit her again to take measurements. While there, she also said she always wished that she could have had a porch roof put on, but was told it couldn't be done. I asked her why that was. As it ends up, what she wanted to do would be a fairly easy add-on to the railing system I was already going to do. It did take two separate days to complete, but we got them both accomplished and my sis is very happy to have her new railing and porch roof.

Early this past summer I was asked to build a dresser for a room for a granddaughter. I stopped by and took measurements and built one to fit in just a specific spot in the bedroom. The style matched other furniture in the room.

After moving Bens' girlfriend to Lawrence and delivering the new chests, she told Ben that she was going to purchase a bedside table.... Hearing this, I told Ben, “we can build a couple while you are home those few days before you go back to school.” While they were both home I had her pick out the type she wanted and modified my design to her size. So we put our noses to the grindstone and kicked out two matching tables in just three days. Perfect match to the chests.

Late this past summer, another client from Deerfield, requested some work in her bathroom. So rustic hickory doors and panels were built in her style the result was just perfect.

We had some pretty bad storms this past summer and during one of those, a large branch fell off a tree and went through the garage door of my storage garage. This required me to replace that door. It looked so much better that it prompted Rosie to say, “We need to paint the trim.” So, in the process of painting, I found several panes of glass broken, so, replacement of those panes needed to be done. What I also found was that every pane in the building (24) needed to be re-glazed. This was a two day process, removing all the old and re-glazing. Rosie asked if I was going to paint the fascia as well, I told her I was going to wrap that with metal so I would have to paint that again, So I bought a roll of metal and wrapped the garage door frame and fascia. That left only the walk-in door to do and I decided, I may as well replace it too, as the door veneer was peeling off and looking pretty sorry.

I would like to say that was the end of that project, but no.... This is the place where I store my enclosed trailer when not in use, and, I've wanted to do something to protect it when not in use, so the idea of building an 'awning' (carport) on to the storage garage was conceived. Materials, sort of, drove the size of the awning. It is a semi-permanent deal. I'm not used to this type of construction work, up and down a ladder 100+ times a day has taken a toll on me. Don't think I can do it any longer.

Well, that is pretty much a rundown of what I've accomplished in the last year or so. I can't say enough how blessed I am to be able to do what I do. Without the blessings from our Lord, I couldn't. I trust you all have been as blessed as I.

06/18/2022

Well, folks I’ve been really lacking on new updates the last few months. Not that I haven’t been busy, but I just haven’t sat down to write anything. I must be getting older, as I just don’t feel much like doing this after working all day.

Since my last posting lots of water has passed under the bridge. I’m trying to remember what all I have done. I did finish up that job in Garden City, I’ll post a couple pictures of that project. My nephews’ new cabinet doors finally made it here and we were able to get those installed as well. Both of those jobs were very satisfying to do and to finally complete… and I believe that the clients were pleased with their results.

We made some changes at church as well. Father wanted more storage area in the sacristy, which would ‘clean up’ and open up the space, by replacing a couple cabinets that had been used for years.

I got a call from a local contractor is regards to doing some custom cabinets for a bathroom in a house they were building. The owner (a young lady) couldn’t find just exactly what she was looking for and they suggested that she contact me. Well, a couple days later she did call and I made the trip to the house to measure up and find out exactly what she was wanting to do. She was very sure of what she wanted in some respects, but not so much in other and my suggestions/helpful insights were accepted and appreciated. With a plan in place, I went to work on those. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures of those. Once I completed them, again due to those delays I talked about in my last post, I stored those cabinets away in my storage garage, because they weren’t ready for them until just this week. I’d like to go out there and get some pictures of the cabinets installed, as the owner had another gentleman doing the install.

Another project I got involved in was a bit more personal. My #1 grandson and his wife let us know that we were going to be GREAT Grandparents… Yea, I already am a great grandparent…. But this is DIFFERENT. They were going to need a changing table/dresser, so I designed one that Leo could build in his woodworking class in high school, but the timing was such that he was only able to get it started, but not completed. So, at the end of school, we loaded up the pieces and brought it home to complete…. This is not a project that could have been tabled and finished next year. With school out, I was able to have Leo back in the shop, so, although it truly isn’t a Coyote Country Cabinets project, I am claiming it to be, because Leo was able to finish it up in just a couple days. Some might wonder “Why?” Well, I can tell you that working on a project at school is way different than working on it in my shop where you have 5 or 6 hours straight. During this time one of Leos’ classmates asked if he could come over and finish a project that he had started in school. His only took 4 hours under my watchful eye.

In May, my oldest granddaughter graduated from the University of Arkansas. I asked her what she wanted as a graduation present, and she responded that she’d like for me to build a dresser for her. I asked her if she had a style in mind and she said she had a picture of one she liked and sent it to me. I opened it up and said, “Oh, that’s Scandinavian style” and proceeded to design and build that for her. Again, Leo is becoming quite autonomous working in the shop and quite helpful in performing much of what is needed to construct these custom furniture pieces. We just finished this one up yesterday and will be delivering it to her later this summer.

A local gentleman that we all know has had some medical issues and had to have a foot amputated. These issues have resulted in he and his wife to sell their house and move to a house which is more readily handicap accessible. The problem was getting into the house wasn’t so. The owner of the house contacted me, knowing about my other experience of installing the pre-made ramps, and asked me if I could do one for them. He said, “I know you’re very busy, so whenever you can get to it.” Luckily, he already had the ramp, so I asked how soon the people would be moving in. He told me the date, which was just a couple weeks away. I told him I’d do whatever it took to have the ramp in place. So after looking at the ramp and acquiring what else was needed I got that installed rather quickly. And the next day, he tells me that “when you have time” that a handrail around the porch should probably be put on as well. So I told him I’d take care of it. Again, luckily, Home Depot came through with the parts I needed within a few days and I had that installed as well, before they moved in.

I guess I am the mentor to a ‘young lady’ (Kalene Yakel) who is capable in her own right. Very crafty in her ideas, just needs some guidance from me on occasion and a bit of help repairing/rebuilding of some of her projects. If you aren’t her friend, I suggest you take a look at her FB page to see all her accomplishments.

I suppose, the teacher in me will never go away. As I grow older, I strive to pass what knowledge of everything I know, on to others. My grandson, Leo, is very receptive to this knowledge, as are Bob Woodrow and Kalene. I thank God, for my skills and knowledge and hope and pray that my life’s work is looked upon in a favorable light. Thanks also goes out to Rosie as she supports me and helps me when I need help and no one else is around. God bless you all.

02/23/2022

Well, happy "twos day" 2/22/2022. Been a pretty busy last month and a half.

Several jobs started, a few jobs progressed but still have many things on the agenda.

Some big changes going on at our church. The carpet is over 35 years old and needing replacement. But some other changes were discussed, and if we were to do them, they needed to be done before the new carpet goes in. Father was hoping to rearrange where the choir and musicians were placed. This change prompted cutting pews down moving some things around which required several days to complete. We also built a 'platform' for which the choir/musicians would be positioned. Another several man hours invested, but now, everything is ready for the carpet to be installed.

I was asked to do a project for a well-known company in southwest Kansas. This company is building a new headquarters and I was asked to build a conference table initially, and then cabinets for the entry for receptionist was added. The cabinets are built and a few of them have been installed. Like, what has become the "new normal", materials are ordered but supply chains are running very slowly. Waiting for things to arrive makes it difficult to plan around.

I was also approached by my nephew and his wife several years ago about "doing something" with their kitchen cabinets. At that time, they were not sure what exactly that should/would be. Well, I stopped at their house after Christmas and the "something' became clear. They decided that a fresh look was all that was needed and so I measured them up and got them ordered. But, just like all other materials, supply chains are running very slow. However those materials showed up late last week, so now it's a matter of finding the time to get over and make the changes.

In between times of waiting for materials to show up and doing what I could, I completed several smaller jobs. One thing I know for sure... I'm not the youngin' my mind thinks I am. :-) Sheets of plywood I used to heft around by myself, I need help, getting down on the floor to work on something... well, getting down is easy, getting up, not so much. I guess I need to face the fact, I'm NOT as young as my mind tells me I am. But this isn't going to stop me, just slow me down a bit.

What I do, is a gift from God, so with his help and grace I will continue to do everything I can.

12/26/2021

Merry Christmas to my followers here. I really have no idea where the last 6 months went. I've been remiss in updating my page here.

Since my last update, many things have happened and life changes occurred. The craziness of todays' world goes without saying. In August we moved Ben to Manhattan so he could continue his education, quite a change for us as grandparents, but know this is something he needs and wants. For me, it meant the loss of the extra helper when I needed him, My other helper, Leo, started back to school, his Junior year. Leo went ut for Cross Country and has become a dedicated runner. This kept us busy, as Rosie and I enjoyed 'chasing him around' at his meets. Now that Cross Country is over, he still is running, but he now has some time to help is 'ole grandpa' when he is needed...which seems to be pretty often.

It hasn't been all work and no play for us though. In July we took a few days off to meet some friends in Branson. Attended a couple of shows and did a little golf and sightseeing. Then in October we spent 9 days in Colorado.

In between all this 'play' we actually did some work. Finishing a cabinet job in Deerfield was topping the list. Along with that we did quite a few smaller jobs. Among those, I was honored to do work for several churches. Specialty pieces which I was tickled to have done. I love having the opportunity to be able to do this type of work.

I was also approached by a gentleman to do a special project. This 'young man' said he had some lumber he had salvaged from a house remodel, thinking the lumber was too good to go to the dump. He was absolutely right, as the material was full 1” thick genuine Mahogany. He asked if I could make a chest out of the lumber he had. After measuring it up I told him I'd do the best I could with what was there. He then told me that this was going to be a 60th anniversary gift for his wife. Again, I was honored to be the one who was selected to do this special project.

One of the jobs I did was doing cabinetry for the Lakin Mennonite School, in the classrooms and storage off the gymnasium. While not particularly difficult, it was pretty involved taking several days to complete the work I know you may be tired of hearing this, but I am truly honored to have been selected to do this work.

Another one of the projects I did was making a new sign for the Kendall Methodist Church. Kim Lohman asked me if I would be interested in doing this. After taking a trip to Kendall, measuring and figuring out what they wanted, I designed a new sign. The process was approved by the congregation and materials ordered. After completing the first steps I suggested a more permanent material for the background, rather than paint. It would be my first attempt at such a large Epoxy project. I have used epoxy in several smaller projects over the years, but for the background of a sign 36” x 40”, this was a new experience. I figured it would require about a gallon of the mixture to flood the background 1/8” thick. The product I purchased said “2 hours working time”. So I mixed up the entire gallon, knowing 2 hours would be well within my time frame. Just as I poured in about a quart and a half of the mixture, Kalen Yakel showed up with questions about something and she jumped right in helping me spread the slowly hardening mix. We had worked it around for about 30 minutes...it didn't “flow out” quite like I was expecting, and I went to pour some more into the background, and when I grabbed the bucket I had mixed it in, it was already set. I learned a valuable lesson...don't mix the entire batch at once if you have to work it in. So, I had to order another gallon kit and the project went on hold for a few more days. The second time around we, Kalen came back to help me finish and Rosie there as well, completed the background. After the background cured out I pent about 4 hours painting the rest of the sign.
A couple projects I've done, I wouldn't really consider cabinetry, more construction, but a nice change. I helped a friend finish up his siding project, which was started about a year ago, but was delayed by circumstances beyond human control. It is good to have that one completed. Another one of those projects, is not yet completed, but we are further along than we thought we would be at this time. Due to delays in receiving materials for other projects allowed us to start this second 'construction type' project earlier than anticipated. This is converting a storage shed into a “she shed”. This one will have to wait until after the first of the year to finish.

The latest project has been a complete kitchen for a rental here in town. It has been in the planning stages and have had materials ordered for some time. The PLAN was to have this job completed before Christmas, well, we got close, but didn't quite get it done. Again, delays in receiving materials and small changes are the culprit. The only way I was able to get this far on the kitchen, was, I had both, Ben and Leo here this last week to help get the cabinets assembled, installed, doors mounted and drawers done. Without their help I wuld still be back setting the cabinets.

I hope that those of you reading this are having a wonderful and joyous Christmas. Let us NOT forget, the reason for the season. Because without a belief in our lord we are really nothing. It is his doing that I am capable of doing what I do, and I praise him every day for my God given abilities. God bless you in the New Year.

06/20/2021

Hello again, folks. The last month and a half has flown by. Lots of work done and more to do.

Up until a few weeks ago the crazy lumber prices hadn't really affected my work. Seemed that construction grade materials had increased way more and faster than cabinet grade. Unfortunately, that trend is waning.

Two of the suppliers of some of my basic materials have had two and three price increases respectively. This makes estimating job prices pretty tough, as things change between the time I estimate and the time I actually purchase materials for jobs. Me, in my mind, I have to honor my word to my estimate and this leads to eating into what little profit I build into my prices.

A really bright spot for me this summer is the addition of my grandson as a helper. Rosie and I when we were asking Leo if he was going to get a job this summer, and his response was asking Rosie and I if I needed help this summer as he really wanted to learn more about cabinetry/carpentry. His zeal in his approach this summer has been, more than, welcome and refreshing. He questions Why, how and when, when we are out and it's something he hasn't seen or done. I am feeling more comfortable in allowing him to handle some things, both in the shop and on location. He's willing to try anything and learn about every aspect that we come across.

So far he's helped with building cabinets, installing cabinets, doing design work for the CNC, working in the hot Sun installing handrails for some of our older folks here in town and doing many other things that I do. The biggest thing, I hope, he's learning, is a good work ethic and doing what is right, no matter what it takes to finish the job. Little jobs, bigger jobs all require the same attention to detail and maintaining the tools that allow you to do your work all come into play with doing quality work. I believe all these things are being instilled in my grandson. I really love having him with me and his willingness to listen and learn from his 'old' grandpa.

I did do a job without Leo Shelden last week. Our youngest, Jenni Bachman Klienow, who lives in KC area, had asked me to come out and build a lawn building to replace the one which was falling apart. In all honesty, the old one wasn't in very good shape when they bought the house several years ago. Not sure how I do it, but it seems like every time I schedule time to go to KC to build things, it seems to be the hottest weather streak of the year (so far).

I wish Leo could have been there to help, but, weight training and basketball had to come first. The experience he could have gained on that project would have been good and the help would have been welcomed. Jenni Bachman Klienow, Travis Klienow and Bryan Clark, along with Rosemary Bachman all were there to help and their help was more than welcome with the heat. The project was a roaring success. And to relate this to my earlier comments, material costs were way more than what I anticipated when I did the design and materials list two months ago...about 25%.

With this being written on Fathers' Day, I need to say, I am the luckiest man in the world to be the father to three great girls, their husbands and the grandkids. They ALL make me so proud of the people they have become and their willingness to support me and my endeavors. Those reasons are what makes me drop everything to run to their aid in their time of need. Family is one of the most important things in this life and mine makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you all for following my journey. Leave comments or just a "thumbs up" to let me know you are still out there. God Bless you all.

05/09/2021

Well, It's been awhile since I posted anything. Again, same story, 100th verse, not because I've not been doing anything.

14 years ago I was asked to do a kitchen project for some people (who have become friends). Now that they have retired, they are doing some remodeling and asked me to modify that kitchen and add cabinets to another room. As the construction has progressed, slowly because of the weather, I was able to get those cabinets prepared and delivered awaiting the time frame when I am able to go install them..

Another friend contacted me to do some work in her kitchen. Well, as it turns out we will be doing a gut and rebuild. Materials have been ordered and awaiting them to arrive.

I've worked on a another project which has consisted of getting special parts ordered...just waiting.

The one thing I have figured out in the last year, and that is supply chains and delivery companies work at their own pace. Things that I used to order and have in a few days, now take weeks...or months...if at all. AND all this 'extra service' at a premium price. One of my suppliers has raised prices twice since January most others at least once and my hardware supplier, I noticed, prices have gone up since the beginning of the year. I don't blame them for the price increases, they have to stay in business, and like me, can't stay in business by giving the materials away. Not sure I understand the "why" stuff is going up so much (I'm not getting into a political debate on this forum). In some cases, I'm just going to minimize my profit margin to keep the project bid near what I told the clients, in others, I am just having to go up in my prices. Luckily, Coyote Country Cabinets is a sideline for me and not my main source of income.

I am lucky in the fact that my cabinet grade materials have not gone up as much or as fast as construction grade materials. My youngest daughter recently called and said that their lawn shed, which wasn't good when they bought their house several years ago, needed to be replaced. They had received prices for 'kits' to replace it, and the price of the kits were, I thought outrageous. And the second part of that is, it really wasn't what they wanted. So, I designed the lawn building they wanted and have come up with my own materials list. Still not cheap, but a price we can live with. That project is coming up the first week of June.

Hopefully, this post finds all my followers in good health. As always, your comments of encouragement or questions are always welcome. God bless you all...and God bless our wonderful Country.

01/18/2021

Happy new year folks! Here's hoping that 2021 is better than 2020. :)

We've been busy already this year. Working on the bathroom storage cabinet some. The style does challenge me. Getting some help tomorrow from someone who is more experienced with the style.

A local business owner contacted me a week ago requesting me to look at a project needed at their business. They have a storage loft above a room in the back of the building. Up to now, they have been accessing the area with a 10 foot ladder. They decided it would be safer if they had a set of stairs to access the area. So I went down, measured up all the critical dimensions and designed a staircase. To make it "livable', we had to move the doorway into the existing room over about 16" which gave us enough room to make a comfortable set of stairs. With materials in hand I cut the stringers and treads. Then in the afternoon, I installed the stringers, the landing and installed the risers. The next day I went back to install the treads and handrail.

In the meantime, I decided that we needed "something" to fit in the space between the new clock and the new front door...the blank space just seemed bare. So I researched a small shelf and designed it in my favorite style...yup, Arts and Crafts. Traditional construction techniques, mortise and tenons. The design was scaled from a Stickley Brothers original that I found in a book. Love doing traditional joinery.

As the week progressed, my replacement at school called me to see if I would have time to work on the project we started over a year ago, before C19 hit, and meet with him and the students. So that project will proceed this week as well.

My youngest daughter, asked me to make some shelves for her. We, she and I, had made some a couple years back that she used plumbing pipe to create the shelf. Now she wants more so she can duplicate another one. So I built those today and Rosie and I got them stained.

It appears that 2021 is off to a good start. Thanks to all you for following my work. I trust the God will bless you this year, as he has blessed me.

12/27/2020

The year 2020 is going to go down as a real turd. :)

With all the problems though, Coyote Country Cabinets stayed busy. Not always with cabinet or furniture jobs, but with construction and remodeling projects as well.

I have been remiss in keeping my followers updated on what I have been up to the last three or four months.

Several years ago (probably 10+), a friend asked me to do some drawings/design work for a project he was hoping to do at some point. Well, this fall those plans (slightly modified) came to fruition. Not only was I involved with the planning/design work, I helped with the actual construction. The project extended over several weeks....and in fact isn't complete yet as the cold weather, kind of, put it on hold until springtime.

I have also spent some time helping a former student (who now is a qualified contractor in his own right) with the design of a kitchen. My kitchen designing skills were pretty much put to the test on this one, but the resulting product was quite good.

In the last couple weeks I did cabinets for a home office, kitchen countertops, helped a friend with a couple chair-side tables (in my favorite Arts and Crafts Style) as Christmas presents for his wife and worked on a custom designed bathroom cabinet in a style that is challenging my inner design self...just not a design style that I am used to doing.

Believe me, my lack of posting here is NOT because I've not been doing anything,,,,,and in between, I had a bit of sickness (never tested, but sure of what it was). I'm pretty much back to 100% and looking forward to the new year.

I hope and pray all of my followers are doing well and that the new year treats you well.

Coyote Country Cabinets

10/16/2023

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