I thought I would share the progess of a couple of cherry display shelves being built for some close friends in Central Oregon. This will be used to display works of art in thier gallery. I am using steamed cherry and pocket screw construction. This a follow up from a previous post on using the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig system. I am taking a break from work and the shop spending Mothers Day weekend in Sisters, Oregon. Final sanding and finish await me at home.
Cherry top with first coat of tung oil awaiting to be mounted to the shelving system. I finished the top before mounting it permanently so that no unfinished wood will show with seasonal movement.
Getting ready to glue plywood inserts to the bottom of the shelves. The plywood inserts will conceal the pocket screw joinery.
Close-up of the glue blocks which will support the plywood inserts. These are sized to (1) conceal the pocket screws and to have the insert sit just below the edge of the rails.
Close-up of clamp holding the plywood insert tight against the glue blocks.
View of the plywood insert fitted and glued to the bottom of the shelf. Again, the plywood insert conceals the pocket screw joinery and makes for a more finished piece. For details of how I sized the plywood insert, check out my post about Fitting / Measuring Gauge in the skills forum. The wood block, shop rag and hammer are for gently pressing the plywood insert into the rail frame.
Close-up of the fitted plywood insert.
Waiting for me to return home for final sanding and finish. I also have to drill shelf pin holes for two glass shelves that will be set in the mid-span between the top and middle, and the middle and bottom wood shelves.
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
13 comments so far
Don
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2590 posts in 1077 days
posted 932 days ago
I always enjoy reading about your projects, David. This is coming along very nicely. Your work is so precise and presented well with excellent photography.
Just lovely.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/
David
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posted 932 days ago
Thanks Don!
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
WayneC
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posted 932 days ago
This is really looking great David. Let me know how the trip to Sisters goes and if you find any treasures along the way.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
PanamaJack
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4447 posts in 977 days
posted 932 days ago
Excellent work and enjoy your weekend away from the shop.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
oscorner
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posted 932 days ago
Spectacular, David. Why steamed cherry? What is the purpose? Do you feel that the added material and time is worth it (having to put plywood inserts to cover the pocket hole joinery)?
-- Jesus is Lord!
David
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1982 posts in 1039 days
posted 932 days ago
Os -
As I understand, steaming cherry evens out the color between the heart wood and sap wood so it is a more uniform tone.
I think the plywood insert looks more time consuming than it really is to do. Just get the dimensions and run the ply thru the table saw. I did all of this assembly and fitting work in one day.
Since I am not charging anything for my time I guess I don’yt need to woory too much. I like to conceal the pocket screw joinery when ever I can. I don’t use this method on every project but I do enjoy trying to figure out ways to hide how the joints were done. On this project, I felt it just gave a more finished look. I have to admit, I did think about leaving a thin shelf profile with the pocket screws exposed. I don’t think anyone would notice or care (should be looking at the art work on display!).
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
oscorner
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4572 posts in 1211 days
posted 932 days ago
Thank you for that explaination about the steamed cherry. I do agree that the thicker looking shelves look better than thinner ones would.
-- Jesus is Lord!
MsDebbieP
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posted 931 days ago
smart idea.
How tall is this? By the looks of it the top shelf is above eye level which means you can see underneath. Covering everything seems like a great idea so that nothing detracts from the art which will be displayed on it.
I really like this idea.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
David
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1982 posts in 1039 days
posted 931 days ago
Debbie -
The dimensions are 5 feet tall and 18 inches square. I am glad you asked because I had a thought to include dimensions with projects and I neglected to do so this time.
BY the way, I very much enjoyed your podcast and LJ interview!
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 925 days ago
thanks David. Both were an interesting process, for sure.
hey, your project is my image—5’ tall and 18” waist :) hahah
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
David
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1982 posts in 1039 days
posted 925 days ago
Debbie -
Actually, the dimensions come from my svelte figue! LOL
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
mot
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4904 posts in 936 days
posted 925 days ago
I like the concealed joinery. I have done a couple of pocket screw projects that would have benefited from reading this blog post before tonight. groan Nice project, David!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 924 days ago
oh of course, David!! silly me
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)