Finally it’s complete:)  Designed for a client with modern tastes this project had it’s moments!!! It was constructed primarily from alder, with a book matched, home sawn, curly maple veneer top and walnut inlay. Five coats of an oil/varnish finish was applied by both wiping and spaying.  To help accentuate the curl in the maple a shellac/dye process was used.  It stands 36” high and is 12” wide and 68” long. 

 

 

 

 Unfortunatley, my most recent photos are less than desirable so hopefully I will have another chance this afternoon to take some more.  This photo below was taking in the middle of the finishing process but is much better at showing the figure in the top:)

 

 

I really didn’t think I would get a chance to get some photos up prior to the final finishing but…

Mock Up 1

Just a couple more domino’s and little more sanding and it will be ready for finish:)

Mock up 2

 Nope you never can have too many clamps!

Mock Up 3

 

 

 

Slowly but surely the bookcase is coming along but not without a lot of thinking along the way!  As usual you think you have it all figured out until the sawdust starts flying and then you realize it’s not as it first seemed.  Easy is not always fun so… how do you get one board to grow out of another? 

Compelted Base

To start I needed a jig to keep everything square and level and centered.  Keeping the project centered was really key to making the whole process a success.  Essentially, I built a platform from 3/4″ mdf with two rails on each side and a couple of scraps on each end to keep it centered.  There really is a little more to the whole process but you should get the jist.

Jig

 Once I had the jig constructed I started with a 5/4″ x12″+ board and ripped an equal amount from each side.  Yes, this is yet another project the Festool Domino performed outstanding!  The use of domino’s for mock up was with out a doubt a great part of the success!

 Ripped pieces with dominos

With the jig in place and the rails cut I was able to mark the sides and inset the rails.   While most of the material was removed with a router the final work was completed with a hand chisel and marking knife.

Notch

At this point the three middle pieces were cut to fit, the 45 degree angle cut on the ends and the project assembled. 

  

This should be it for progress pics due to time constraints and well the rest is pretty straight forward.  With any luck I should have completed photos within the next couple of weeks:)  However, if anyone has any questions please feel free to email me and I will do my best to answer them.

 

 

 

 

As some of you know about a year ago I started a free plan site called AWLfreeplans.  While the process seemed quick at first it soon became much more work than I originally anticapted.  Therefore, after just a couple of months I was unable to continue.  Although the AWLfree plans site will now be gone I will continue to offer the few projects I did complete plans for and have provided links and photos below.

Any questions please feel free to email me ron@rjoneswoodworks.com

 

Ultimate Workstation

Ultimate Work Station

Ultimate Workstation PDF

Keep Sake Box (LJ Summer Challange 07) 

Keep Sake Box

Keep Sake Box PDF

Sofa Table

Safe Table

Sofa Table PDF

 Toy Chest

Toy Chest

Toy Chest PDF

 Dogbone Dog Dish Holder

Toy Chest

Dog Dish Holder PDF

 

Yet another week has gone by and progress is slow but good.  Over the weekend, with lots of help, I was able to do a test run with Poplar for the base.  For the most part it was a success and I was happy with the end result.

   Bent Lamination for Base (test)

In addition to the base we were also able to press the top as well.  The curly maple top will definitely give this project that WOW factor

Curly Maple Top

Curly Top 2

 

Next weekend, with any luck, I will be able to move forward on completing the top and press the base lamination.

 

The bookcase is coming along slowly but surely.  Most all the material has been purchased and is now acclimated to the shop.  Last weekend I was able to rough cut most of the material and re-saw the base into approximately 1/8″ pieces.  Re-sawing an 11 1/2″ board into eight 1/8″ slices was a daunting task to say the least but the new Grizzly Bandsaw worked like a champ!  Below is a snap shot of the re-sawing process.

Once this step was complete all the pieces were run through the drum sander to ensure a consistent thickness.

 Once this process was complete, we were able to construct the form I will use for the glue up.  All in all the re-sawing, sanding and form building process took us the better part of five to six hours but gave off without a hitch.  Next up gluing the arch up in the vac press:)

Finally, I project I can sink my carbide teeth into! Commissioned as a wedding gift, this project was designed to compliment the existing furniture in the home while adding a little more of a modern feel. This should be an exciting project with a beautiful curved lamination to serve as a base, a little walnut inlay to frame out a curly maple top. Here’s a quick sketch (very quick) of what’s to come. Stay tuned and in the coming weeks I will hopefully be able to outline the techniques and process from start to finish. I have estimated 40 hours over the next 4-6 weeks so we will see how it goes