LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner
2K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Beginningwoodworker 
#1 ·
Experiences before joining LJs + Face frame challenge

Just a brief note on my experiences thus far. When I started this project, all I had was a table & circular saw, a sander and a crappy mastercraft smoothing plane along with some assorted other hand tools.

In my pre-teen days, I would watch my dad make things in his shop and I remember him going through a lot of trial and error, reading books and more trial and error. He did make some really nice pieces though that lasted many years. My experience prior to this project was mainly in construction. I rebuilding our deck and renovating the basement were my 2 biggest projects along with putting down bamboo flooring in the bedrooms. I learned quickly though that cutting corners cost you more in the long run. That and have a plan.

It was decided that the cabinet would be made out of birch as we wanted the cabinet to match the nursery furniture that was handed down to us. The stain that would bring it to a match is from Sherwin Williams (honey tone).

I bought the plywood from home depot. 3/4" birch veneered & 1/4" pine - they had no birch in 1/4", but one side was darker - similar to the birch and on testing with the stain, comes very close. Time will tell on that one.

I had to get my birch for the face frame and drawer fronts from Century Mill where they will let you loose to pick through the stacks of wood as you desire as long as you leave it tidy and their prices are pretty reasonable (I think?).

I'm not sure if you would call it lucky, but the 10" board that I picked out (with no knowledge of how to pick out lumber) after planing revealed a band of heartwood right down the middle framed on the edges by sapwood. Here's what they looked like after finishing. They're stained with the honey tone stain and followed by a satin Verethane top coat. Not sure what the black flecks are. Is it figure? Worm holes? Spalting? Thoughts?





I have all the panels cut, but have one problem I'm having now is trying to figure out how to apply the face frame. I have to assemble it up in the nursery, so I have to finish all of the staining beforehand. The veretane is odorless, so I can do that part with the cabinet in place if needed. Do I put the face frame on the vertical pieces first and then fit the shelves after? Or do I fit the frame into place after assembly, dry fit and then take out for staining? Your feedback would be appreciated.
 
See less See more
2
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top