I got a call 2 days ago from a guy who wanted me to build him a "Special Box" (not the toy box type I got on Craigslist / Nashville). He wanted the same design but he wanted it his way. As he was describing what he wanted I was having a hard time understanding him. His signal was breaking up some.... and I couldn't understand his voice at times. Finally he found a "spot" to come in loud and clean from his cell to me. Then it was me not understanding him 100%. I was getting 80% but missing some details. Finally he said "Sir, I'm on disability as a wounded veteran. I'm a decorated sniper and I got shot in the face and part of my jaw / face was blown off". I said "No problem guy let's get this right sir...!" No matter how long it takes. He really wanted this box to be special and I damn well was gonna do my best to make it happen.
This guy said he named his son after a gun... AND he loves his guns and he's proud of it. One of the first things he asked me was "Do you own guns?". I said "Hell yes... a lot of them". Then he told me he wanted me to build a box with two pistol silhouette's mounted in front of box with his son's name between / over / under them. He asked "Please make the box look "old" along with his sons name". please. And he said "I don't care what it costs either." He's leaving so much up to me to make happen and determine what is "right" upon his request... He says "I trust you" (and he can) but I'm not a mind reader.
So... yesterday I went down and cut out of wood 2 old style revolvers from 5/8" wood. Today I painted both a flat black and they did look good. THEN.... I'm staring at them and thought ... DAMN wouldn't it be cool if both had half a cylinder and pistol grips showing? I spent the next hour bringing these "pistols" to life. NOW THEY LOOK LIKE PISTOLS for real but painted a flat black to be mounded on the boxes front along with his son's name.
I am NOT GOING TO CHARGE this guy a single cent for this box outside of my costs. And I can't wait for him to see it. I told him early in our conversation that I'd need a deposit to just build basic box. He said "I can't pay anything toward it till the 29th. (pay day)" His box is 90% done NOW and I'm not looking to make a single penny either. I just hope this project meets this veterans expectations. If not... I promise ALL I'll build another for him till I get it right.... Brad