End table set - build #3: Preparing for ebonizing
After reading several articles on ebonizing I decided to stack the odds in my favour by using the two-part process outlined in the article in Popular Woodworking. The article indicates to do an initial...
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End table set - build #4: Off to the lumber store
The next step in the build was to head off t my local hardwood supplier for a piece of 8/4 cherry for the legs of the tables. My go to supplier here in Ottawa is KJP Hardwoods. They are a really nice...
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End table set - build #5: Bases, Part I
With all the cherry stock ready it is time to mill the stock and then cut all the pieces to their final dimensions. The stock from my lumber store typically comes rough finished on two sides and fairly...
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End table set - build #6: Bases, Part II
With all the stock milled and cut to size it was time to do the joinery of the aprons to the legs. I use the Domino so it was a matter of properly aligning the boards and drawing pencil marks. Because...
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End table set - build #7: Ebonizing the legs
My vinegar and steel wool solution is ready. After a few days the steel wool had completely dissolved so I even added a bit more. By the time I was ready to ebonize it too had dissolved. I tried...
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End table set - build #8: Veneering the top
Veneering a top when your veneer is already big enough that you can do it by trimming down the veneer to fit the table top size is quite easy. You don’t have to worry about doing any jointing and...
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End table set - build #9: Adding the frame
With the veneering of the two panels done it was time to make and attach the frames. I used mahogany for the frame and had a piece on hand with some awesome chatoyance. After milling the mahogany I cut...
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End table set - build #10: Inlay on table tops
The inlaying process was one time I didn’t take many pictures during this build. The process is relatively straight forward though when all you’re doing is putting a simple inlay into a rectangular...
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End table set - build #11: Edge profiles and finish tests
A small table with 3/4” top just doesn’t look right – the proportions are all wrong. Even big tables with 3/4” table tops don’t look right. Tables that keep a clean 90° edge on the top typically bevel...
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End table set - build #12: Finishing the tops
The first step was to dye to mahogany frame components of the tops. As I indicated in my last post I found the GF light brown dye stain gave the look I wanted. I dyed them using a towel and obviously...
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End table set - build #13: Attaching the tops to the bases
The nice thing about using tops made out of baltic birth plywood with veneered tops is that they can just be glued directly to the bases as wood movement isn’t an issue. If the tops were solid wood the...
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End table set - build #14: Wrapup - final thoughts
Overall I was extremely pleased with this build. In terms of time spent it was one of the quickest projects I’vd done. I almost spent as much time blogging about the project as I did building it. I...
View ArticleShop temperature management
I live in Canada where it isn’t considered a cold day if the temperature is above 0° (-18° celsius for us). My shop is in an attached garage but it doesn’t have its own door to the house. I have to go...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #1: Getting ready
I’ve been ‘getting ready’ to do this build for about a year now. While I am not a huge G&G fan I saw Darrell Peart’s G&G blanket chest here on Lumberjocks and really fell in love with it. I...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #2: Understanding the plans
Before starting this project, I wanted to ensure that I fully understood the plans and all the work required. In terms of fully understanding the plans this involved reading and re-reading the article...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #3: Making the template
One of the interesting differences between Darrell Peart’s and Marc Spagnulo’s finger joint templates is that Darrell makes two templates – one for the back end’s and one for the sides, where Marc...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #4: Final preparations
Before starting this project, I want to ensure that I am fully prepared.-am I familiar with all the different techniques to build the chest?-what lumber do I need – which rough thicknesses and...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #5: The sides, part I
One of the aspect’s of Marc Spagnuolo’s guild videos that I like is his discussions of board selection for projects. He always gives a good discussion regarding choosing boards of similar colour and...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #6: Sides part II and an oops...
After using the template to route out the fingers it was now time to put on the 1/8” roundover. For me it was a lot easier to use the router table for this step. The edges of the fingers also needed to...
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G&G Blanket Chest Build #7: Base part I
A False Start When I went to the lumber store to buy the 5/4 wood for the top and base I made the mistake of not bringing the plans or dimensions. I ended up making my best guess. When I got home and...
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