| Project by Laurent | posted 240 days ago | 492 views | 8 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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I’m a beginner woodworker. I thought nightstands would be easy enough first projects. It was also the first time I was using hardwoods and finishing products. Was too scared to add drawers (my first attempt w/ drawers on my router table was epic!).
The bulky one is for my boy and the more feminine is for my daughter.
Please do not hesitate to criticize my work, I’m here to learn!
One question though: I finished my son’s one with shellac for the legs (walnut) and lacquer for the top (white oak), and I’m not satisfied with the lacquer: the white oak has turned yellow and my son has to put is nightstand 3 feet from the bed because it smells too much. That is really defeating the role of a nightstand, don’t you think? So will lacquer stop smelling after a while? What should I have used?
Thanks for your help,
Laurent
-- Only 7 months since I discovered woodworking... has done nothing else since!
10 comments so far
mtnwild
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2020 posts in 423 days
posted 240 days ago
Those are really nice. Great designs, beautiful!!!!!!!!!
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
TimberMan
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106 posts in 360 days
posted 240 days ago
I love the design. That is one of my favorite style leg. Great work.
PGreene
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87 posts in 325 days
posted 240 days ago
Looks great…yes, the lacquer will stop stinking after a while but depending on what kind you used, how many coats, temperature when you applied and how long it set between coats, it will vary greatly. Basically, expect weeks to a few months. They yellowing will happen with just about any oil based product. I personally prefer wiping varnishes a lot more (General Finishes has a great line), but if you want NO yellowing at all, go with a water based product. That will also eliminate the smell.
-- Patrick
Loucarb
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951 posts in 341 days
posted 239 days ago
Great looking nightstands and well done on your first project. Thanks for sharing
Dennis Zongker
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1017 posts in 487 days
posted 239 days ago
Very nice!!! Clean & crisp.
-- Dennis Zongker
John Stegall
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213 posts in 412 days
posted 239 days ago
You can also seal the lacquer with shellac…but it is not as durable. Shellac is supposed to be excellent for sealing odors. If you decide to go this route, try it in an inconspicuous place first.
-- jstegall
Laurent
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36 posts in 241 days
posted 239 days ago
Thank you all for your encouragements!
And thank you Patrick for your advise on water based finishing. I started w/ oil ones are they are the first ones you stumble upon as a beginner.
I obviously see a lot of problems in these 2 nightstands but I loved building them. I started a new bigger project: a desk for my daughter in Padauk & Hard maple. The top is in padauk and the breadboard in white maple. Same for the drawers (front: padauk, sides: maple).
How do you avoid color leakage from the orange / red padauk onto the white maple?
(should I take some pictures and present it as a new project?)
Thanks,
Laurent
-- Only 7 months since I discovered woodworking... has done nothing else since!
Laurent
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36 posts in 241 days
posted 239 days ago
John, I (bee)waxed the top but it did not remove the odor. What could happen sealing with shellac (why trying on an hidden spot)? Discoloration?
-- Only 7 months since I discovered woodworking... has done nothing else since!
Beginningwoodworker
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4180 posts in 568 days
posted 239 days ago
Cool looking night stands.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
woodworm
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8255 posts in 486 days
posted 239 days ago
Beautiful piece of night stands. Great effort!
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.