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Charles 'Chip' Madeley - Fine Custom Carpentry
 Charles ‘Chip’ Madeley recalls working with wood since he was about 3 or 4 years old. “Our house was in a constant state of remodel until I went to college” says Chip. The home was a 1912 Praire-style house which upon completion, was listed on the local Historic Registry. Chip studied woodshop in High School and was always working on some project with his dad, who was a carpenter. His real plan while growing up though, was to race bicycles in Europe. He grew up in the shadow of Lance Armstrong in Plano, Texas and even rode with him throughout high school. After riding bicycles around the big block called Texas, Chip ventured on to become a mountaineering guide in places such as Denali, the Andes and also the Cascade Mountains (search Chip Madeley on Google.com). But there was always his side job, off-season work, as a carpenter.
Chip is building his own fine carpentry business in Boulder, Colorado, far from his family network in Plano, Texas. The biggest challenge to running your own business is job estimating. “It's difficult to estimate out how much to charge for labor, and also cover expenses such as materials, workshop, truck payment, insurance and tools” says Chip. “I am constantly learning and taking classes to help improve my business management skills.”
Ultimately, Chip's passion is in the process, the problem-solving and organizational aspect of fine carpentry. "When I'm working on a project, everything else just disappears; it's like Zen and the wonder of getting lost in wood." It's that kinesthetic and tactile practice found in woodworking that holds Chip's attention. One thing that frustrates Chip is the overall prejudice that trades people are somehow "less educated". Different personality types have varying ways of learning, for Chip it's always been reasoning, math and logic. These types of folks practice their craft instead of practicing talking like so many others of us. Some of us are good at talking; these people are good at doing.
Chip likes the smell of wood ;0). This week’s project is to modify a set of four Bar Chairs which are part of the Royalton Collection from the Phillis Morris Furniture Company. The client hired him to make the chairs more stable. Value of the four chairs: $10,000. (see photo below)
Chip's favorite types of projects are built-ins (see photo below). He works as a sub-contractor for a few local builders, and also deals directly with his own clients.
You can contact Chip and see more photos of his work at: www.madeleycabinetry.com
Here is the list of Chip's Top Ten Tools
1. Delta Table Saw - His absolute favorite tool because it is the most versatile.
2. Makita Miter Saw - The second most versatile tool. Chip recommends getting after market blades such as Forest or Amana because what is included with the saw is not a great quality blade.
3. Grizzly planer - Used for milling wood.
4. Grizzly Joiner - Used for milling wood.
5. Grizzly Dust Collection System
6. Porter-Cable compressor - His is oil-free, very loud, and runs a lot. His next purchase will be a larger one.
7. Delta Hollow-Chisel Mortising Machine - combination drill press and chisel
8. Steel City Tenoning jig
9. Makita Impact Driver - Chip prefers the battery operated kind.
10. Bosch - 3-1/4 plunge router with router table for shaping.
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