| Project by hypnos | posted 145 days ago | 442 views | 0 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
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I finally finished my first project and learned a lot in the process. Next step is getting some better tools, my wife is less weary of me spending the money because the next project is a crib and a changing table and on and on…
The triple ladder like structure is padauk, finished with teak oil for the UV protection, then Danish oil and wipe-on poly. The shelves are poplar finished with Danish oil and poly – I regret not using just poly because I actually wanted the green in the wood to remain more than it did along with the contrasting whiteness, but it probably looks a little more elegant this way with the yellowing of the oil.
It was assembled using dowels which was a real pain with a hand drill. Everything was ripped and cut with the crappiest table saw in the world, but it was a birthday gift from my folks so I can’t complain too much, but it will be the first thing to go. The table is a Skil 3305 with a massive 26” wide table;) I did buy a 50 tooth thin kerf Freud LU83R010 combination blade for it after trying the table out and struggling to make raised garden beds. The blade cost $40 less than the table saw. That helped a good deal in being able to rip the 8/4 padauk.
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| From Bookshelf |
I’ll add a picture of it covered in books when it makes it’s way to it’s final home in our bedroom. I’m just going to hide cheap bookends inside the books on either end.
Edit:
The shelf is in place and filled with books and here are a few more pictures, I’m happy with how sturdy this turned out to be. I added adjustable gliders to the front two posts because our floor slants a little bit and it added a little extra stability giving it the slightest back tilt on the carpeting in our room. 
11 comments so far
ratchet
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301 posts in 687 days
posted 145 days ago
Your first WW project….really??? If this is your 1st then you are destined for great things.
Well executed and elegant design.Thx for sharing.
GarageWoodworks
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211 posts in 523 days
posted 145 days ago
First project? Wow. Nicely done. I love the contrasting color of the woods. I like the design, is that yours?
-- Brian http://www.garagewoodworks.com
hypnos
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8 posts in 339 days
posted 145 days ago
The design is a modified version of a bookshelf they sell at Target – I posted in the forums quite a while back when I first wanted to start this project, and that post shows a picture of the original, albeit nicer looking in the picture than you actually find in the stores. I spent about $30 dollars more on the wood and finish than it cost, changed the look a good deal and obviously I’m a lot happier with it than I would be with Target furniture…
CompleteRookie
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10 posts in 151 days
posted 145 days ago
That is your FIRST project. Wow. That is a gorgeous bookshelf. My first project was sawdust. (it was beautiful sawdust by the way).
Congratulations and condolences. Grats for the project. Really … it is awesome.
Condolences because now that your wife knows you can woodwork, your “honey do” list just grew exponentially…trust me….I know.
-- I can make firewood with the best of them!
JoeinDE
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101 posts in 223 days
posted 145 days ago
That is very impressive for a first project. My first project was so shoddy that I wouldn’t dare post it here.
-- A bad craftsmen blames his cheap #$%ing tools
ellen35
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542 posts in 332 days
posted 145 days ago
Nice work! First projects are always special…we know every knot and flaw.
Ellen
-- Ellen on Cape Cod
kjwoodworking
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202 posts in 787 days
posted 145 days ago
If that’s your first woodworking project, I can’t wait to see what comes next. Good job.
-- Kirk H. -- http://www.kjwoodworking.com
Beginningwoodworker
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4241 posts in 573 days
posted 145 days ago
Nice work for your first project.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Ryan Sparreboom
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86 posts in 151 days
posted 145 days ago
Your brave to use paduak for your first project! But rightly so, it turned out great. Nice work.
Looks like the kids like it too!
Ryan
a1Jim
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17211 posts in 477 days
posted 144 days ago
You’ll always remember your first. very well done.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
clieb91
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682 posts in 835 days
posted 144 days ago
A great showing for your first project. Looks way better then the one sold at Target, the stuff there is always good for inspiration though.
I’ll keep an eye out for your next projects, good luck with them.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."