My latest woodworking project (pics)

[ZenLefty]

The pics seem to be slow to load tonight. Sorry 'bout that.



I've been working on this sitting bench for quite some time now. Like, February. Just haven't had a lot of time to devote to woodworking lately, but a little patience and perseverance eventually pays off.

It's all solid cherry. There are no nails or screws holding the structure together, just wood. The only metal involved is in the hinges and lid support and in the little brass pull ring on top.



Our cat likes it, which is good. It was inspired by our more "oversized" cat, who can no longer jump up to that window without some help.



Some storage space on the inside. Even the bottom is done in full mortise and tenon paneling.



The beams all go through each leg, interlocking so that no glue is required to hold it together (I used glue anyway, of course). The balls above the leg taper are all hand carved, as I don't own a lathe.

I'm not too happy with the way the polyurethane went on. I never am, and that's not one of my strong points. It's a bit lumpy up close, but it's well protected by three nice coats.

Anyway, that's what ZenLefty does in his spare time. :)

[NJCher]

1. that is stunning!

You are a very talented woodworker!

I can't even imagine being skilled enough to make something like that.


Cher

p.s. nice cat, too!

[ZenLefty]

10. Not talented, just patient

Patient enough to say "Hmm, I screwed up yet another cut. Better just throw out that piece of wood and start from scratch." :)

[Robb]

33. Beautiful!

I've not got that kind of patience in me. Too likely something wouldn't sit together right, and out comes the sledgehammer!

As little as I know about it, I'll ask: have you looked at air sprayers for the poly, if you're concerned about lumpiness? I believe they've gotten cheaper....

[newyawker99]

39. Good job Zen!!

:thumbsup:

[jab105]

2. WOW, that's beautiful!!

looks great, congrats for getting it done:)

[ZenLefty]

12. Yeah, it took a while to finish

I feel like I deserve a T shirt or something. Thanks. :)

[seamarq]

3. Really nice...

Beautiful work!

[ZenLefty]

13. Why, thank you.

:)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

4. Wow. I am a fellow wood butcher. Good work.

I too am so short of time, my shop work has suffered. But that should change soon.

[ZenLefty]

15. Everyone deserves more time making sawdust.

Hopefully you'll get yours.

[scarlet_owl]

5. That's gorgeous!

You have some kind of talent! Good work! P.S. Cute kitty, too!

[ZenLefty]

16. The kitty runs the house

They needed something to sit on to look out the window. Their wish is my command.

[madrchsod]

6. geez i can`t even

saw a board straight..really nice work. i know what you mean about the poly,i just use tung oil

[ZenLefty]

17. There's a lot of projects I've just oiled and said 'done'

Especially maple. It doesn't look good with that amber color that comes from poly. In fact, it looks like piss. I just coat maple with orange oil every few months, really brings out the fire.

[roughsatori]

7. I love it! It is elegant and earthy at the same time

Great work. Thanks for showing us.

[ZenLefty]

18. Your welcome

I really like that about arts & crafts style - the beauty is in the structure, not the facade.

[madmax]

8. A Master Craftsman!!

Simply stunning. I love it.

I refinish old furniture as a hobby and have used a paint pad to apply polyurethane finishes. One swipe and try not to overlap.

[ZenLefty]

11. I tried some wipe-on stuff once

Works great, but I just use it for light projects, or stuff that doesn't get a lot of wear. This particular piece stands to be worn down pretty often, since we'll probably sit on it daily (and cats will use it as a springboard) so I thought I'd give it some extra protection.

[MuseRider]

9. Beautiful work!

I wish so much to be able to do something like that. It is not to be, I do not have the needed patience. So nice, just lovely.

[i have issues]

14. Sweet!

I'm a carpenter too....sigh, for a living, and RARELY do I get to do anything cool. Did a repro Eames piece, nearly pulled all my hair out, but the end result was well worth it...not finacially of course, but satisfactionally, (is that a word?) keep it up! Great work!

[ZenLefty]

21. I often think of doing this for a living

Then I think, the woodworking business will become a lot more 'business' and a lot less 'woodworking', and I really don't have the talent to be a True Master who makes thousands of dollars for every piece of wood that gets spit out of the shop.

I'll bet that Eames piece is very cool. I've seen some of the chair designs, and I wouldn't know where to begin on making wood take that shape!

[ZenLefty]

20. Patience is the foremost of requirements.

Without patience, you must have the ability to work quickly without making any mistakes. I don't have that ability.

[Rashind]

19. You should meet my father!

He's also a very talented woodworker. Still has all his fingers, too.(He loves to brag about that) That's some excellent hand-carving, too. He's built almost everything wooden in his house in Indiana, including the kitchen. The kitchen would probably have turned out better if I hadn't helped. :shrug: Craftiness is not hereditary, I suppose.

[ZenLefty]

22. Sounds like we're cut from the same cloth

Every time ZenLeftyGirl sees some cool piece of furniture somewhere, I say "No. I can make that." It doesn't matter that my list of projects is at least 12 years long right now, but I won't let her buy any furniture that I can make in the Pig Pen (the name of my woodshop). My goal is to fill our house up with furniture and custom made trim, including the kitchen.

[i have issues]

24. Everytime Kerrysissuesgirl sends me off to work

she worries I'm gonna chop my hand off on the table saw, Slowly, slowly, she is starting to get it that i'll be OK at the end of a days work...Actually the Eames piece was a later piece, nice and square, steel and wood side board, nightmare none the less,,,Keep up the good work! And don't do this for a living! Clients will break your heart!

[Rashind]

37. Sounds great...

Dad spends at least 4 hours a day in the basement woodworking, but he does custom work for hire, too, so he can justify passing up some hours at his regular job to get in some more woodworking time. Lucky for him, his work schedule is very flexible.

I wish I had some pictures of a desk that he built for mom. It has no less than 15 hiding places in it, but mom won't use them, because dad shows them off to everyone who comes through their front door. :evilgrin:

[Rocinante]

23. Just beautiful

wish I was talented enough to do something like that.

[Brucey]

25. Tres cool!

Congrats!

[opihimoimoi]

26. WOW, as a fellow wood butcher I applaud you and your work

As for finishing, I prefer (Sanding sealer followed by 6 coats of Lacquer) with a fine steel wool rub with liquid furniture polish. It gives the look of French Polish which enhances the piece. Use extra fine 0000 steel wool. works great. Try, you will luv it.

[SoCalDem]

27. That is gorgeous !!!

Guys love their wood projects :) and some are good at it too :):)

Our middle son is a woodworker by trade, and he was so proud one time and had to call me to tell me that one of his carved doors had just been installed at Hearst Castle :)

[salmonhorse]

28. Nice Stuff!!

I like the joinery. Did you chase all that around yourself from scratch? They had some killer stuff at the Cali State Fair this year I think you'd have appreciated.

Did you ever watch that guy on; what was it: Yankee Workshop? Cause he used to chase all that stuff around with antique planes and the like. Someone had to 'do it' way back when...

[KT2000]

29. Really is beautiful!

and so is your cat.
This is a family heirloom now!

[Crewleader]

30. Zen Lefty excellent

you would make a fine addition to this old house...wish we were near each other...I have some pocket doors I spent alot of time with I could show you. I like opihi's tips too.

Your wood pieces throughout the house must be cherry...huh? Please except the compliments of Craftsman...seeing your beautiful cat along with your beautiful piece. I often think of you working in that great garage you build.

It was very nice to see and thanks for sharing it friend.

My best to you and Mrs. ZenLefty! :hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

31. Amazing and beautiful!

Would be impressive even if it were nails and screws, but mortise and tenon - makes it true art! No wonder it took a long time. Congratulations!

[GOPisEvil]

32. Wow!!!!!

That is good work Zen! I'm impressed! :thumbsup:

You HAND CARVED the balls on the legs?? :wow:

[ZenLefty]

42. Yup.

My balls are hand carved out of wood. :D

[Hubert Flottz]

34. Very nice piece dude!

Polyurethane is a little tricky to deal with! The darker the stain the more streaks you'll see in the polyurethane! There are some tricks to polyurethane and the more you fool around with it the better you'll get at it! One thing that makes it look better is to buy a good brush!

I always use oil based polyurethane(minwax)Simi Gloss! You must always put it on in VERY thin coats! I dip my brush in mineral spirits about every three or four brushloads and then shake the thinner out of the brush! Always stir the polyurethane as you go along! When you load the brush press most of the polyurethane back out of the brush, so that the brush is almost dry! The thinner will cause the polyurethane to flow on easy like it does when you put it on thick, but it won't pile up, run and streak!

The trick to a real fine polyurethane finish is the sanding between coats! After the first coat the wood grain will raise and feel rough to the touch! ALWAYS use 400 to 600 grit wet and dry sandpaper and WET sand VERY lightly between EVERY coat! You Must sand with a very light amount of pressure after the first coat, to avoid sanding through the first coat and messing up the stain underneath! I never use more than 2 coats because the polyurethane tends to develop tiny cracks after a while if you put too many coats on!

Always use a damp sponge after sanding to remove sanding dust and then let the surface dry completely before putting on the second coat! Rinse out the sponge often and wring it out until it's almost dry as you go! Always work in an area with very good lighting! Always apply with long even brush strokes to avoid streaking! Look at the surface from several different angles as you go, to spot uneven spots and streaks!

I have the gear to spray paint with, but I always brush polyurethane on, because it's easier to control the runs and even thickness of each coat! If you take your time you can get a factory finish look even over dark stain! Practice on something cheap until you get so you are getting the right look!

Polyurethane is not easy to work with, but once you get it on the wood it will hold up better than any other finish I know of! Never use wax or polish over polyurethane! Use Murphy's Oil Soap to clean your polyurethane finish and it will stay beautiful! BTW, polyurethane is one of the hardest things I've EVER tried to strip off! It turns into a hell of a mess when the stripper hits it!(Goop)

I have refinished antique pieces for 25 years to sell and to keep! The more of it you do the better you get at it! I can tell by the look of your woodworking that you have the eye for detail it takes to get the job done! BTW, a K-Mart 2" 'One Coater' brush does a GREAT job with polyurethane! Costs about $7.00! Rinse brush out good with mineral spirits and then wash with dish soap and warm water when you finish! Always hang the brush up and let it air dry completely between coats!

[ZenLefty]

43. Great tips - thanks

I used a brand of poly I hadn't tried before, and it went on thicker than I would have liked. I sand with 400 between coats, but the final coat just came out lumpy in places. Maybe in a year or so I'll sand the lumps out and put on a nice thin layer.

[bleedingheart]

35. That is beautiful!

[Terran]

36. Extremely impressive! Congrats Zen!`

My father was quite a good woodworker too. Unfortunately I didn't inherent any bent for it from him, I think brother got it all.

Dirk

[underpants]

38. You built a cat out of wood?

Very nice work.

[ZenLefty]

44. No, but I polyurethaned him

That's why his fur is all shiny and smooth, and it really cuts down on the hairballs. :D

[WillParkinson]

40. AMAZING!

The furniture is too die for! :-)

(Love the kitty, too...)

[ZenLefty]

41. Thanks one and all for the nice comments

No talent, really. Just a lot of patience, and an activity I enjoy very much. :)

[Wickerman]

46. Very, very nice

I butcher a bit, too. But in the winter. Its great therapy. I try to stay busy in the summer building outdoor stuff. This summer it was a plyhouse. Don't know if I wil try to repeat that giant project.

PS, like your cat, too.

[catpower2000]

45. Wow, it's gorgeous!

Talented AND nice AND funny. Mrs ZenLefty is a lucky woman. :)

Cat

[blm]

47. BEEYOOTIFUL....

and the cat seems to like it, too.