U-shaped Cherry Bar w/Mahogany Top

Did you find it difficult to do the veneering? The reason I am asking is I am contemplating a mahogany dining room table. I think it would be wise to veneer the top both from an economic and stability point of view. I have never applied veneer.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I have to thank David Marks’ Woodworks for the method and courage to cut my own veneers. This was the second shop-cut veneer job I did and I’m very pleased with how both jobs came out. In fact, my first veneer job was a mahogany dining room table top—photos of the process here: http://tenonandspline.com/blog/albums/woodworking/Mann%20Table%20Top/index.html

The biggest challenge with the tops was handling the long boards. In both projects I was resawing 8’ long 8/4 boards…pretty heavy to handle. I also didn’t have near enough clamps or a veneer press so I decided to use all the clamps I had augmented with cinder blocks and cases of beer. :)

To answer your question directly, I would say it was nerve-wracking due to inexperience, but I wouldnt’ say it was “difficult” and the finished job came out very nicely. Go for it!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

Excellent work! I love mahogany.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Beaut job Patrick. One day I will finish my 1/2 complete bar. Are the overhead glass fronts sliders or openers?.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Breathtaking. Great job!

This project would be a welcome addition to any home. I am sure that it is the focal point for their lower living area. The bar is simply gorgeous. I love the match with the floor and trim as well.

Great job. Thanks for sharing.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

That is something absolutely amazing. Nice grain.

-- Jiri

Hi Patrick

You are a craftsman in the true sense of the word. It is definitely a piece to be proud of. I have only done one bar but it was not as elaborate as yours. The guy also wanted a builtin gun cabinet in the wall. I put it in a door way leading to a small room behind the bar. It was hinged in such away that it would swing out after you pulled a hidden pin in the locked cabinet. When he went on vacation he could put his guns and other valuables in the hidden room.

I see your from Chicago. I was born there and then moved to Skokie till college. My brother lives in Glennview. Perhapes we can have a cup of coffee and talk woodworking someday. Tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

stunning

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Thanks all!

Grumpy- The back bar “hutch” is open glass shelves. The one thing I screwed up on here was significantly underestimating the cost of the glass shelves. I’d never used glass shelves before and they needed to be thicker than I had originally estimated..cost me a couple hundred $$ off the top!

Elk- Thanks for the compliment…I’ve perused your stuff and was duly impressed. If you’re (or any LJ’er for that matter!) ever in the Naperville area you are very welcome to stop by the shop! We’ve got two woodworking clubs within 1/2 hour of my house but I hardly have any time to attend a meeting. Another LJ’er buddy of mine (blackcherry) lives just a couple blocks away…I’m sure we could all find something to talk about!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

Great design.Great job.

-- jeanmarc manosque france

Admirable neat work. Congratulations. Did you decide the space distribution? Somehow I percieve a certain scenical impression.

-- Alejandro Moreno, CANARY ISLANDS

Alejandro – Thanks! The design was entirely mine, but the homeowner knew exactly where they wanted it and the space pretty much dictated the size/arrangement.

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

What did you use to finish the bar. I’m putting a bar in my basement. Looking at using Cherry. I’m sure the wife is expecting the same looks as the “cherry finished” cabinets in the kitchen. Since we don’t have windows in the basement, I’m thinking the natural aging isn’t going to be much. I like the color you were able to achieve.

super job great bar

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

DMS-
Unfortunately it’d take some digging for me to find the sample board with the chosen “recipe” but FWIW, I’m fairly certain it went something like this…

• Grain filler for the mahogany tops
• some type of “Red Mahogany” stain
• General Finishes Cherry gel-stain (“Colonial” or “American” or something like that)
• Poly top-coat

Keep in mind that I would never profess to be a finish expert, and there are likely countless other ways to achieve a similar finish, but this is what I’ve used for this piece as well as one other piece that I’ve kept. So far it’s held up very well.

Hope this is helpful.

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

Great build! Love the bar and and color! The only thing wrong I can see is the Bud Light in the back round! LOL…... There has to be better beer where you live…. Kidding ….. Great job!

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"