Plane Pieces Inc

The Story of Plane Pieces Inc – How it all began

planepieces — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:32:42 +0000

It all started with my family. Growing up I was influenced by my Mom, who was super creative and my Dad who took over my grandfather’s airplane propeller company out of college and has run it ever since. He worked for himself, made his own hours, his own decisions and his own money. He didn’t have anyone telling him when to work or what to do, and that’s what I wanted.

From an early age my goal was to never work for anyone but myself. I started buying and selling baseball cards, Beanie Babies, VHS movies, concert t-shirts, concert tickets, etc. I didn�t care what the product was as long as I could make money. During my years at Babson College in Wellesley, MA I became obsessed with trading stocks, but after missing too many classes my sophomore year my parents made me stop. To compensate for the end of my stock trading days, my Dad had his employees polish up fixed-pitch airplane propellers, which I sold on eBay. I didn’t know the first thing about airplane propellers, but knew selling these propellers each month I would have enough money to continue the Boston lifestyle I was used to when I traded stocks.

My junior year I was focused on creating a company I could run when I graduated. After selling a used Dave Matthews Band concert shirt on eBay for $120.00 I began seeking out thrift stores, Goodwills, Salvation Armys and Savers to find more. In the process I found some really interesting used clothing and instantly began a lucrative business buying and selling used clothing on eBay. I could walk into Goodwill, spend $50.00 and walk out with a $1000.00 worth of clothes after selling them on eBay. I had a knack for it and there was zero competition. Most people back then were embarrassed to even go into these stores, let alone know what items would sell online.

In 2002 I graduated from Babson College and the job market was horrid. While others in my class looked for analyst / investment manager positions, I opened an office and pursued my used clothing business for a few more years in Boston. The company was featured on Fox News and in all the papers, but soon I wanted more. I wanted my own product line.

In 2004 I moved back to Connecticut to learn about the family business. One night my family and I attended an auction and out came a pair of chrome and black midcentury modernism Wassily chairs. Something happened inside me and my world was flipped upside down. The mirror finish of the chrome, the simplicity and complexity of the design, I found modernism, I saw my new inspiration. The very next day my Dad showed me his massive warehouse filled with 60+ years of unairworthy scrap airplane parts. I saw a new world filled with possibilities. I surrounded myself with books, magazines and the designs of Eames, Aarnio, Saarinen, Miller, Knoll, Breuer, Warhol, and Starck. Without any knowledge of what these parts were intended for, I began putting pieces together, welding, sanding, grinding, blasting, and polishing and haven’t stopped since.

-RT

ESPN WINTER X GAMES 11 MAD PROPS COMMERCIAL

planepieces — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:59:14 +0000

I just had lunch at Bertucci’s in West Hartford, CT and this ESPN Winter X Games 11 commercial came on. Has nothing to do with airplane propellers but it made be happy that they used the word props so much!

Boston Weekend and (2) New IRON MAN Airplane Propellers

planepieces — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:01:44 +0000

The weather couldn’t have been better this weekend in Boston. Spent Saturday and Sunday with amazing friends and reconnected with a city I have neglected for quite some time. The tap water was contaminated, but we had no problem finding other refreshing beverages at Sunset Cantina, Remy’s and Landsdowne Pub to name a few. The Red Sox continued to struggle, the Celtics lost the lead, but the Bruins came through. All in all a fantastic weekend! Today was back to the machine shop where we polished off (2) new Iron Man props. One off a Cessna 172 and the other off a Piper Cherokee. Iron Man 2 opens on May 7th! Be sure to check out Tony Stark’s new office.

Click to view slideshow.

BANG BANG Airplane engine Aviation Modern Art Lamp

planepieces — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:50:36 +0000

Finished up the Bang Bang table lamp last night. Using industrial grinds and polishing tools. Named for the bullet holes in the lamp shade.

Click to view slideshow.

IRON MAN Cessna 170 MODERN Aviation ART Airplane Propeller

planepieces — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:27:15 +0000

Yesterday we completed another incredible Iron Man airplane propeller. This time we used a McCauley DM7651 Kliptip Met-L-Prop propeller that came off a Cessna 170. Sanded and Polished to a gorgeous mirror finish. This is the same type of airplane propeller display that hangs in Tony Stark’s office in the movie Iron Man ( This is NOT the exact one from the movie ) Click to view slideshow.

the J-COBS 1940 WWII Airplane engine AViATION ART Modern Lamp

planepieces — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:00:16 +0000

A few weeks ago we ventured to the “warehouse”. A place where creative minds run wild-looking at all of the old aviation parts and equipment that has gathered for the past 60+ years (Thanks Gramps). We recently came across these Jacobs radial engine pistons used in some the greatest planes ever built including the Boeing Stearman, Cessna AT-17, Waco and Grumman Ag Cat. Buried beneath Hamilton Standard hubs from the 1940′s, unused and minty fresh, still in their original boxes. Since finding them we decided to honor Jacobs and create the J-COBS Limited edition desk lamp. Available in back edition (Limited to 200) or chrome edition (limited to 100). Pistons polished to a mirror finish and stamped with the flying monkey logo. Available at Plane Pieces Inc Click to view slideshow.

Trip to Ikea in New Haven

planepieces — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 11:39:11 +0000

Yesterday my sister and my mom went to one of my favorite places in the world, IKEA!! I absolutely love Ikea! As soon as I walk into that big ugly blue building I am instantly inspired. They have the most incredible products, amazing designers and the prices cannot be beat. Yesterday I finally was able to take a video of one of the few items not for sale: The Big Ass Fans http://www.bigassfans.com/ they have throughout their warehouse downstairs. I love propellers and this comes pretty close. Have a great Saturday everyone! Fly em High - RT -

Ikea’s Big Ass Fan

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1930′s Hamilton Aero Douglas DC-2 Airplane Propeller

planepieces — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 17:22:29 +0000

We recently picked up this gorgeous 1930′s Hamilton Aero ( Now Hamilton Sundstrand ) aluminum airplane propeller blade. Used on very early Douglas DC-2 airplanes. We have never come across one before. The blade width is so big and the shank size is so small, its amazing it was able to stay in the hub. The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-propeller airliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247. In 1935 Douglas produced a larger version called the DC-3, which became one of the most successful airplanes in history. More information on the Douglas DC-2 can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-2

Click to view slideshow.

Vacation is coming but so are the orders

planepieces — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:18:53 +0000

So today I woke up to find 27 orders for custom airplane propeller sculptures. Just when I thought I was on pace to finish all my work by April 9th, BAM! I’m not complaining, I love working at the studio, I love my team and I love my clients. Plane Pieces Inc has definitely grown substantially over the past year and return customers are at an all time high. I am really proud of the work we do, we are learning everyday and continue to perfect our craft. I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I am looking forward to the end of all this rain here in CT and some weekend sunshine. Fly em High – RT-

PlanePieces.Com

planepieces — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:26:17 +0000

Plane Pieces Inc was created to give airplane enthusiasts an opportunity to display genuine airplane propellers and parts in their home and office. Through numerous relationships with propeller manufacturers and repair shops, Plane Pieces Inc creates outstanding displays and furniture at affordable prices. Established in 2004, Plane Pieces Inc thrives on creativity, design and quality. Every piece sold by Plane Pieces Inc is guaranteed authentic off a real flying airplane and no two pieces are the same. Don’t see exactly what your looking for? Want something in a different color? Contact us and we’ll work with you to create and design your perfect piece.

RT (Designer)
www.planepieces.com