About a month ago, I decided to get some padauk and play. I needed something to hold my writing utensils at work, and I wanted to practice dovetailing with my new BA 10" dovetail saw. So, I made myself a little pencil cup that turned out like crap. Learned a lot, though.
Well, today I can say I finished one for a friend that saw mine at work and wanted one. Here's a couple of pictures for viewing (dis)pleasure.
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The first one I made (no, I will not post pictures) was a disaster. The poly had sags and runs everywhere, the dovetails weren't well made, and to be honest, it just sucked. This one, however, I learned some things. It has 6 or 7 coats of a 4:1 poly/mineral spirits blend that was rubbed on with a rag. After the 2nd or 3rd coat, it was sanded with 600 grit sandpaper; just enough to get the nibs off and remove any sags that had occurred or any running.
The 4:1 poly/MS blend was a delight to work with, almost as easy as just slapping BLO on something, but it cured much faster. I found it seemed to thin the poly down to where it cured within about 3 to 4 hours as opposed to what it was taking with 100% poly.
I realize it's not as great as some of the other projects you guys make, but hey. . .it got me $20! And it's the first piece of woodworking that will be sold under my wife's new company. :-D
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Originally Posted by Brett Robson
