I’m actually about half-way along in this project, but will try to get all caught up in this first entry. I call this a wine secretary since it is a wine cabinet for my dining room that is basically modeled after a traditional drop-front secretary. I started out by building a Sketchup model to help me visualize the project and generate a cut list.
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| From Wine Secretary |
For materials, I chose Honduran mahogany, which is as close as I will be able to get to the Caribbean mahogany my dining room table is made of. I bought 42 board feet at my local supplier.
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| From Wine Secretary |
I want to try to match the antique mahogany finish on my table as close as possible, so I am already working on some various samples employing a number of different common mahogany finishing techniques I have researched. These are where the samples are today, although each will probably get one to two more layers of finish to get the final effect. These use various combinations of dyes, stains, pore fillers, and sealer coats. I will also be applying asphaltum glazing to several samples next.
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| From Wine Secretary |
I have effectively completed the joinery for the entire bottom carcass thus far, and the following pictures show the dry-assembly as it stands today. The joinery is mostly machine cut, but all hand tuned, and I’m very happy with how tight all the seams are. I have a nearly perfect slip-fit on all the mortises and tenons at this point. Next, I will be starting the slant-front cabinet next.
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| From Wine Secretary |
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| From Wine Secretary |
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I will update with more photos and description as the project progresses.
-- blog.newtonwoodworking.com
5 comments so far
Topapilot
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123 posts in 739 days
posted 290 days ago
The secretary looks great, and your shop has some updates since you posted your bench pictures. Feel free to post pics under the workshop section -
PetVet
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233 posts in 386 days
posted 290 days ago
I really like the design, especially the curve of the legs! Are your side and back panels solid mahogany? I was wondering about wood expansion, and how you might have dealt with that.
-- Rich in Richmond
Rob Bois
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10 posts in 293 days
posted 290 days ago
The back and sides of the bottom cabinet are frame and panel. The side panels are solid QS mahogany, but float in the frame (I will use space balls to allow expansion). The back is just 1/4” birch ply since it will not be seen. The top cabinet will be solid as well, but all the grain direction will be aligned the same way, so expansion and contraction will happen together. That top cabinet will then be attached to the base with blocks rabbeted into grooves on the inside of the aprons to account for wood movement. My current thinking is the drop-front desk will also be either frame and panel, or breadboarded to account for movement (as this will need support to prevent cupping, and also allow for movement).
-- blog.newtonwoodworking.com
PetVet
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233 posts in 386 days
posted 290 days ago
Interesting, I have not used the space balls yet. This is going to be a beautiful piece of furniture when done. Looking forward to more posts!
-- Rich in Richmond
daveintexas
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338 posts in 774 days
posted 289 days ago
Looks like a great project.
Cant wait to see the next phase.
Thanks for posting
-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture