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Thread: From trees to finished Christmas present

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Damascus, MD
    Posts
    216

    Smile From trees to finished Christmas present

    I finished the Christmas present for my wife. No, not next year's, I'm finally done with last years I never said I was fast, I'm not so sure I'm good, either

    Before I show the pictures here's a little explanation as to the construction of the piece:

    To begin, several years ago hurricane Isabel danced through our area. While waltzing around the neighborhood she knocked over a couple nice red oak trees belonging to a friend. This friend allowed me to take three, ten foot section from two of the trees.

    First, I and several friends took two Saturdays to roll the logs into the front yard. Then I had to find and hire someone with a portable sawmill to come and render the logs into boards. Once we accomplished that it took five trips with my little pick-up truck to haul the lumber to my house. At home I stacked and stickered the boards, covered them with a tarp, and let them air dry for 12+ months. Every bit of lumber (except the back and drawer bottoms) in this piece came from the above mentioned red oak trees. The carcass is joined using dovetails at the corners and blind dados for the various dividers.

    As for the finish, I thought about following one of the more involved recipes, using dyes, sealers, glazes, etc. Instead I settled for an old tried and true formula: two coats of Watco Dark Walnut, followed by two coats of wipe on poly, finishing with two coats of Briwax Tudor Brown.

    The first is a picture of the whole piece.

    The next two pictures highlight the figure in the oak.

    The last shows the dovetailing. Each drawer recieved the same number of dovetails, evenly spaced.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Jim Stastny; 05-18-2005 at 12:38 PM. Reason: Arrangement
    Jim Stastny ~ Damascus, Maryland
    A poor workman blames his tools

  2. #2
    Jim,

    I am sure it was well worth the wait for your wife! That tv stand looks great! I love the curl and the quarter sawn flaking!
    Jeff Sudmeier

    "It's not the quality of the tool being used, it's the skills of the craftsman using the tool that really matter. Unfortunately, I don't have high quality in either"

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,504
    Jim....Great work! I'm sure the LOYL is smiling!
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Tidewater, VA
    Posts
    2,124
    Jim -

    Wow! Great wood selection. The rays and flecking are striking. Well done and definitely worth the wait!

    Ted

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    805
    I LOVE that quartersawn red oak. And what you did with it is impressive. Nice job, and well worth the wait.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Just outside of Spring Green, Wisconsin
    Posts
    9,442
    No fair! All the q-sawn I've had around here, doesn't have anywhere near the nice flecking in it as you show! Anyhow, real sharp unit, Jim! Wonderful work on the DT's and finish detail in general. Bet you've got a happy bride, there!
    Cheers,
    John K. Miliunas

    Cannot find REALITY.SYS. Universe halted.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Grand Marais, MN. A transplant from Minneapolis
    Posts
    5,513
    Was worth the wait. Very nice.
    TJH
    Live Like You Mean It.



    http://www.northhouse.org/

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    Wow! That's really a super piece and the oak is absolutely beautiful. Your wife is very lucky and it was worth the wait, IMHO.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  9. #9
    Jim, I'm glad to see that you've had some good quality time in the shop away from the stress of the pastorate. Wow! That oak was well worth the wait! That is a fantastic piece of furniture with some top quality lumber. I'm sure your wife is very, very happy. So, how many board feet do you have left? From the pictures I remember, you shouldn't have even made a dent in the stack yet. Happy building!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Damascus, MD
    Posts
    216
    Quote Originally Posted by Jason Tuinstra
    So, how many board feet do you have left? From the pictures I remember, you shouldn't have even made a dent in the stack yet. Happy building!
    I have at least 75% of the total remaining. However, very little is the quarter sawn, figured wood.

    Thanks, for the remarks Jason, hope all is well in CA.
    Jim Stastny ~ Damascus, Maryland
    A poor workman blames his tools

  11. #11
    Outstanding work and you did a great job of picking the peices for that project.

    Looks great!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Marquette Heights, Illinois
    Posts
    2,945
    ALL I can say is DITTO to the above. Otherwise I'm speechless!

    Bruce

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Leesville, SC
    Posts
    2,378
    Great looking cabinet, great looking dove-tails and fantastic wood.
    You sure can be proud of that piece...
    Army Veteran 1968 - 1970
    I Support the Second Amendment of the US Constitution

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Snata Rosa CA
    Posts
    90
    Great looking piece Jim, its nice to know those trees will be looked at and enjoyed for many years to come.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    3,789
    Excellent wood selection and excellent work Jim. Talk about turning devestation into beauty!

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