LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

It's about time I posted this. I finished it for an xmas present. My pregnant sis was craving sushi…. and this tray was to help solve the craving. It took me almost a month and a half because of the extra help I got from my dogs.

The middle insert and the legs are leftovers from another cutting board, and I fit maple pieces around it. This was the first project using my mortising machine. It could have been a tighter fit on the ends (you can see some gaps) but it's stable. I don't have a jig for small pieces - so I used the bandsaw to size the leg pieces and hand sanded.

I decided to experiment, and rubbed in many coats of medium walnut tinted "danish oil" which is really mostly tung oil. I really liked the effect / enhancement it has on the walnut. Effect on maple is ok.

I admit I had to do this twice. After 3 coats of the oil - I noticed dog hairs. ARGH!!! I had to scrape it all off, sand it down, and start again. This project was the straw that broke the camel's back regarding rework due to dog hairs… and I have now made myself a good corner in the laundry room where there are no dogs allowed. I also change my shirt before finishing to be sure nothing is sticking and falls off.

After about 2 weeks (around 8 coats) I chose to stop. I wonder how many coats this maple would need to really darken…. It took 2 weeks so that I could let it fully dry between coats.

I finished it with 3 applications of full strength shellac.

The last two pictures are the unfinished product, which I took because I wanted to see before and after for the colored finish.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
8 Posts
Looks great. The maple/walnut combo has always been one of my favorites.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,054 Posts
Maple is difficult to stain due to the tight grain structure. I understand that dyes work better on Maple than stains and you will get more even coloring as a result. The stain that you used makes the Maple look "dirty" and for something intended to serve food on , it is far from appetizing. Of course this is just my opinion…it could just be the pictures / lighting. You might want to try Salad Bowl Finish on your next project which would bring out the beauty of both species and is food safe as well: )
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,110 Posts
Nice Job MT.
You Sis will love it and think of you every time she uses it.

Bob
 

· Registered
Joined
·
615 Posts
Definitely, the underside is "dirtier" than the top and I was not fully satisfied. I rubbed and fixed the top a lot more so it would look more "grainy" than "dirty" - but I know what you mean. Indeed, I was going to just use shellac or even mineral oil and wax it - I was so keen on trying the walnut color.

I figured tons of shellac on top which is also safe would do it.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,054 Posts
Thank you mtkate. I was praying that you wouldn't be offended by my opinion .
I found out the hard way about staining Maple…..I ruined a project by not applying the stain to some scrap before putting it on my final piece.
Lesson learned and not repeated ….so far . LOL …..Happy New Year to you and yours : )
 

· In Loving Memory
Joined
·
3,011 Posts
I like the way that the walnut wraps down into the legs.. cool design.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
19,753 Posts
good job well done
 

· Registered
Joined
·
328 Posts
Nice project….........I like the use of the two woods together.

AKA…...........Woodchic
 

· Registered
Joined
·
85 Posts
You have a lot of nice projects.
 
Top