| Project by mtkate | posted 1218 days ago | 1368 views | 1 time favorited | 10 comments |  |
 |
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.
| Pin It |
10 comments so far
Tommy H.
home | projects | blog
13 posts in 1223 days
#1 posted 1218 days ago
Looks great. The maple/walnut combo has always been one of my favorites.
-- Tommy H., Georgia, Lot to learn...
reddinosaur
home | projects | blog
120 posts in 1295 days
#2 posted 1218 days ago
I <3 sushi too =p
-- Jess
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
10508 posts in 1855 days
#3 posted 1218 days ago
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: )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Bob #2
home | projects | blog
3808 posts in 2188 days
#4 posted 1218 days ago
Nice Job MT.
You Sis will love it and think of you every time she uses it.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
mtkate
home | projects | blog
2049 posts in 1492 days
#5 posted 1218 days ago
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.
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
10508 posts in 1855 days
#6 posted 1218 days ago
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 : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
degoose
home | projects | blog
6590 posts in 1521 days
#7 posted 1218 days ago
I like the way that the walnut wraps down into the legs.. cool design.
-- Drink twice... and don't bother to cut... @ larrysworkshop.wordpress.com For lovers of all things timber...
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
86998 posts in 1744 days
#8 posted 1218 days ago
good job well done
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
woodchic
home | projects | blog
814 posts in 1524 days
#9 posted 1211 days ago
Nice project….........I like the use of the two woods together.
AKA…...........Woodchic
-- Robin Renee'
D1st
home | projects | blog
286 posts in 1207 days
#10 posted 1207 days ago
You have a lot of nice projects.
-- http://www.furstwoodworks.com/
Have your say...