WOODWORK. the company where the definition of. Custom Built. has never changed

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Lionel McGee
6 years ago
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1 WOODWORK Custom Built the company where the definition of has never changed

IN 1893, THEODORE PINSKE, a hard-working son of German immigrants, began his construction business in Plato, Minnesota.

He and his skilled workmen built many of the churches, schools, homes, and barns in the area.

Traditional barn roof crossbeams and support posts wasted much of the hay storage space and made for extra work.

2 IN 1893, THEODORE PINSKE, a hard-working son of German immigrants, began his construction business in Plato, Minnesota. Over the years he established a reputation for fine craftsmanship and added a lumberyard and millwork shop. He and his skilled workmen built many of the churches, schools, homes, and barns in the area. It was the barns that presented a special challenge. Traditional barn roof crossbeams and support posts wasted much of the hay storage space and made for extra work. In 1918, Theodore heard about a barn in Montevideo, Minnesota, with a gothic roof a roof with a series of built-up rafters cut to precise curves, creating a smooth continuous arch that needed no crossbeams or posts. He took the train to inspect it, then returned determined to transform his building method. T W O T H R E E

Edward Pinske, the second generation and cutoff saw that eliminated the power and time problems.

3 In those pre-electric days, the curved gothic rafters had to be drawn out on timbers and sawn freehand, which was time-consuming and imprecise. Harnessing the Pinske creativity, Theodore and his son Edward took a Model T engine and chassis and built a portable combination ripsaw Mr. & Mrs. Edward Pinske, the second generation and cutoff saw that eliminated the power and time problems. Then they did what the experts told them couldn t be done, To do the job better, the latest in machinery has always been of interest to the Pinskes, even back in building a jig that allowed them to rip precisely curved rafters with a minimum of waste. Innovation at every level paved the way to expansive success. Today, many of those original Pinske barns are still standing with their ridges as straight as an arrow. So what does the Pinske gothic roofed barn have to do with fine custom cabinetry? Fourth-generation Tim and his Uncle Tom, a.k.a. The Pinske Edge another success story. Even in his retirement years, Ed continued his passion for woodworking in his personal shop. A sample of the barn roof construction system developed by Edward Pinske. F I V E

As soon as he was old enough to push a broom, Edward Pinske started absorbing Theodore s work ethic, the dedication to always build the best, and the pursuit of innovative ways to meet the

4 As soon as he was old enough to push a broom, Edward Pinske started absorbing Theodore s work ethic, the dedication to always build the best, and the pursuit of innovative ways to meet the ever-increasing demands of their clientele. It s a Pinske tradition that s been passed to Edward s sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons. In the early 1960s, Edward s son, Edward Jr. ( Pete ), took over the construction business, while Bob took over the millwork and cabinet shop, and the lumberyard went A second floor is added to the old shop across from the town square. to youngest son, Tom. In 1968, Tim Pinske, Bob s son, joined his father in the millwork and cabinet shop. It was around that time that Bob and Tim and his wife, Marlys, decided to specialize in manufacturing kitchen and bath cabinetry as, Inc., marketing it through a network of dealers. Four generations shown. Karl, current president of Plato Woodwork, is at the bottom right. S I X S E V E N

Since 1893, has earned its reputation as one of America s preeminent fine custom cabinetry

In fact, we gave it a name,, to stress the fact that it is truly custom.

The truth is that every Plato cabinet is made to order, every cabinet is one of a kind.

6 Since 1893, has earned its reputation as one of America s preeminent fine custom cabinetry manufacturers. That s because Plato has come to define what custom means. In fact, we gave it a name,, to stress the fact that it is truly custom. Some people are under the impression that true custom cabinetry can t come from a factory. The truth is that every Plato cabinet is made to order, every cabinet is one of a kind. Nothing is stocked. There is no inventory on hand. No parts are made until we begin processing your order to match your personal specifications. T E N E L E V E N

With Plato, it all starts with your dream of exactly how you want any room in your house

From the smallest cabinetry detail to the biggest, if you can imagine it, can build it.

any size, anywhere whether it s for a kitchen, bathroom, home office, library, family

Custom means you select from one of Plato s six standard wood species or use Plato s

It means you can choose from a wide selection of paints and stains in combination with

Or you can have Plato do a custom match to a favorite piece of furniture.

manufacturing plant by dedicated craftsmen, using the finest materials, and finished

7 With Plato, it all starts with your dream of exactly how you want any room in your house to look and feel. From the smallest cabinetry detail to the biggest, if you can imagine it, can build it. Simply put, means having your cabinetry in any style, any color, any finish, any wood, any size, anywhere whether it s for a kitchen, bathroom, home office, library, family studio, or an entertainment room. Custom means you select from one of Plato s six standard wood species or use Plato s SelectWoods program to specify virtually any wood species. It means you can choose from a wide selection of paints and stains in combination with glazing, spattering, distressing, and sand thru to achieve your desired finish. Or you can have Plato do a custom match to a favorite piece of furniture. It means cabinets built to consistently high standards in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant by dedicated craftsmen, using the finest materials, and finished under environmentally controlled conditions. It starts by working with your local Plato dealer/designer to get your dreams on paper. Then, beginning with a designer s sketch, Plato engineers the specialty cabinetry and submits CAD shop drawings to the designer T W E L V E T H I R T E E N

of creation. Each order begins by hand selecting the rough sawn lumber used to make the frames and doors.

Unlike many companies, Plato makes its own cabinet doors for maximum design flexibility and quality control.

The use of computer-controlled machines results in an accuracy and quality of construction that previous generations of

To perfectly meet customers needs, has an unwavering commitment to invest in the finest precision woodworking equipment

special shape or pattern in wood that a designer creates on paper.

our haunching machine, panel splining center, finish system, or the machine that prepares our drawer boxes for the

Plato shares your passion for exacting specifications, where anything less than 100% is simply unacceptable.

each cabinet we make is correct in every detail.

For maximum strength and durability, Plato features ⅝" thick maple, dovetailed drawer boxes with fully captured bottoms.

8 for approval. Once approved, all the necessary raw materials and hardware are ordered, and Plato s experienced craftsmen begin the art of creation. Each order begins by hand selecting the rough sawn lumber used to make the frames and doors. Only premium furniture grade woods are used in the construction of Plato cabinetry. Unlike many companies, Plato makes its own cabinet doors for maximum design flexibility and quality control. The plywoods are specifically manufactured to Plato s demanding standards. The use of computer-controlled machines results in an accuracy and quality of construction that previous generations of cabinetmakers could only dream of. To perfectly meet customers needs, has an unwavering commitment to invest in the finest precision woodworking equipment developed for the manufacture of fine furniture, such as our computerized router that is able to reproduce virtually any special shape or pattern in wood that a designer creates on paper. And just as Theodore did, if no machine is available to do the job efficiently, we have them created for us whether it s our haunching machine, panel splining center, finish system, or the machine that prepares our drawer boxes for the undermount slides. Plato shares your passion for exacting specifications, where anything less than 100% is simply unacceptable. Whether it s the perfect fit of a beaded joint or the seamless tailored look you ll love for years, we guarantee that each cabinet we make is correct in every detail. Plato has developed special joinery to make our wood grid doors the strongest and most attractive in the industry. For maximum strength and durability, Plato features ⅝" thick maple, dovetailed drawer boxes with fully captured bottoms. Plato cabinetry features natural maple veneer interiors with matching ¾" thick, full-depth, adjustable shelves in wall and base cabinets for maximum storage. All wall cabinet bottoms are finished to match the exterior finish of the cabinets. Plato cabinets feature a narrow 1¼" wide frame and no center mullion between doors on cabinets up to 36" wide, providing maximum access to the shelves. Handcrafted beams, chamfered corners, fluted pilasters, custom corbels, and wainscot end panels are some of the ways provides cabinets of uncommon distinctiveness. Combine those types of elements with hand detailing whether it s a physical distressing or a multi-step glazed finish, and the result is heirloom quality cabinetry that our dealers refer to as furniture. The difference in custom is in the details. Plato cabinetry goes through four hand and machine sanding steps prior F O U R T E E N F I F T E E N

9 S I X T E E N S E V E N T E E N

Hometime Television Project / Design: TEA2 Architects, Mpls, MN to the hand-wiped stain being applied.

This is the finest, high solids, formaldehyde-free, catalyzed conversion varnish finish developed for the manufacture of fine furniture, and it s as tough as it is beautiful.

And if one of our standard paint or stain finishes (with optional glazes and distressing) isn t what you re looking for, Plato can develop a special, one of a kind finish to

10 Hometime Television Project / Design: TEA2 Architects, Mpls, MN to the hand-wiped stain being applied. After hand staining to enhance the grain of the wood, three coats of oven-baked catalyzed conversion varnish are applied and hand sanded between coats. This is the finest, high solids, formaldehyde-free, catalyzed conversion varnish finish developed for the manufacture of fine furniture, and it s as tough as it is beautiful. Few custom cabinetry shops have the capacity to offer this superior finish, and no finish applied at the job site can compare to it. And if one of our standard paint or stain finishes (with optional glazes and distressing) isn t what you re looking for, Plato can develop a special, one of a kind finish to achieve your desired look. Hand glazing highlights the mouldings and other design details, and our craftsmen do it to perfection. As an example of our handiwork, consider Character Cherry, a popular signature wood for Plato. Starting with solid cherry lumber, Plato makes E I G H T E E N N I N E T E E N

no attempt to eliminate mineral streaks, wormholes, burl grain, tight knots, or other tree growth irregularities inherent in cherry, but augments them with hand distressing for

Not only is it a great look, it s a green look, allowing Plato to maximize use of the tree by utilizing lumber that would have otherwise been discarded.

Plato uses only the finest hardware, and all of it has a lifetime warranty.

11 no attempt to eliminate mineral streaks, wormholes, burl grain, tight knots, or other tree growth irregularities inherent in cherry, but augments them with hand distressing for a unique, antique-textured quality. Not only is it a great look, it s a green look, allowing Plato to maximize use of the tree by utilizing lumber that would have otherwise been discarded. An optional glaze further accents the profiles and distress marks to give a rustic feel that makes any room truly unique. Plato uses only the finest hardware, and all of it has a lifetime warranty. And you have to experience the effortless glide of the full-extension, softclose, concealed undermount drawer slides to believe it (besides giving you the widest possible drawer space). Since every job is custom, Plato finishes an extra door sample that we keep in our finish library with your name on it to make sure any additional parts ordered at a later date match the original job. We re here for you today and will be tomorrow five generations and counting. T W E N T Y T W E N T Y - O N E

the Art of Transformation T W E N T Y - T W O I If this house could talk oh the stories it could tell!

This was during the time of Prohibition, so the original homeowner included a hidden speakeasy in the lower level that walked out to the lake.

Four owners later, in 2001 the home had a lower level electrical fire that resulted in extensive damage.

The team at Sawhill Custom Kitchens in Minneapolis was hired for a major renovation project.

12 the Art of Transformation T W E N T Y - T W O I If this house could talk oh the stories it could tell! IT WAS BUILT in 1921 in the English Tudor style with a little Bavarian Renaissance added. This was during the time of Prohibition, so the original homeowner included a hidden speakeasy in the lower level that walked out to the lake. In its day it hosted local officials as well as famous people such as the Andrews Sisters. Four owners later, in 2001 the home had a lower level electrical fire that resulted in extensive damage. The owners had been exploring options to expand their upper level kitchen, but plans were revised to focus on lower-level remodeling. The team at Sawhill Custom Kitchens in Minneapolis was hired for a major renovation project. For the lower level, the owners requested a full, spa-like bathroom, restoration of the original speakeasy, and overall updating to accommodate lake-style living. In addition, they wanted a kitchen space that would incorporate high-performance appliances and fixtures so the owners could entertain large groups at walk-out lakeside level. All remodeling was to keep with the original architecture of the home as well as use materials and colors true to its original state. Shots before the transformation.

13 Character Cherry

14 After over a century, Plato still builds every cabinet in the true art of custom cabinetry. Every cabinet is made to order, a one of a kind original designed, cut, fit, and finished to your exact specifications.

15 WOODWORK COPYRIGHT PLATO WOODWORK / PLATO, MINNESOTA / M

H8 Hazel H9 Pearl. S5: Castle Grey

H8 Hazel H9 Pearl. S5: Castle Grey 2019 H8 Hazel H9 Pearl S5: Castle Grey Table of Contents Our History... 5 Our Product... 6 Kitchen Cabinets Gallery...7 Bathroom Cabinets Gallery... 33 Hidden Expressions... 38 Decors... 41 Door Styles