KURT BARNES.........MASTER WOODWORKER
Kurt started building horsedrawn vehicles in 1986, when his grandfather asked him if he wanted to learn the trade. At that time, Kurt was building cabinets and furniture in his woodworking shop. Kurt agreed to learn the trade of building and restoring horsedrawn vehicles, which made his grandfather very proud to pass on the trade to one of his grandsons. Kurt learned everything about the trade, including how to build wooden wheels and blacksmithing.
After Kurt learned the trade, he didn't have space in his shop to do both cabinetry and carriage work, so he decided to start just repairing wheels and build scale models of horsedrawn vehicles in 1/12th & 1/8th scales. As time went by, and the word got out that Kurt was repairing wheels and building a buggy or two, Kurt decided to slowly change from a woodworking shop to a carriage shop.
Now, Kurt has customers all over the western United States. Kurt custom builds each vehicle to the customers needs or wants. He has many standard designs in which to choose, but will alter them if the customer would like to have something different. He will size the vehicle to your horse, so if you see a vehicle that you like, but it was pulled by drafts and you have mini's, don't worry, Kurt will scale it down for you. He would like a picture or drawing to go by, but it's not necessary. Just tell him what you like and he'll take it from there.
By being a small shop, KG Enterprises can build just about anything you would like. A horsedrawn vehicle, scale model, a planter out of old wagon parts, etc. Just give Kurt a call or email him with your ideas, you won't be sorry that you did.
1/12th Scale ( 1" = 1 ft ) Hitchwagon
The Hitchwagon has raised panels on the sides, front, and brass trim. This wagon Kurt made for his Grandfather who made numerous Hitchwagons in the Michigan, Indiana area. He is also the person that taught Kurt the art of wheelwright and wainwright.
The fifth wheel above, is the same Hitchwagon described above. Notice the detail that has gone into the model, Kurt hand formed all the springs out of brass, the shackles he also hand formed. To give you some scale on this wagon, the spokes are made from square toothpicks - no kidding !!!
1/8th Scale ( 1 1/2" = 1 ft) Stagecoach
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Kurt is really proud of this 1/8 scale Stagecoach that he built for a man in Reno, NV. Everything works on this little gem. The doors open and it has a complete interior, both boots are functional, the body is hung on actual leather strapping just as the original stagecoaches were, and detail, he put more detail in this model than he has ever done before. Just look at the time and patience it takes to complete a masterpiece such as this.
Above is just a small part of the detailing that Kurt did on this Stagecoach. What you see here is the front end complete with all the brake mechanism, steps, body hangers, axle clips, braces, etc. A very nice, neat job indeed.