Project Information
I needed a set of shelves in my bathroom to hold my shaving equipment, so I decided to build a set out of western maple. This was my first attempt at sliding dovetails, which I mostly just wanted to use for the visual effect with the contrasting wood colors.
I cut the joints with a 5/8" dovetail bit in the router table. They were tight but I got them seated using moderate persuasion with a deadblow hammer.
I didn't use any glue in the dovetails, but I did pin them with a dowel. In hindsight, I wish I would have placed the dowel close to the front edge, to limit wood movement on the front end of the joint. Oh well, water under the bridge.
The roasted maple darkens up nicely with a tung oil finish. If you've never used roasted woods before (also sometimes called baked, or thermally modified) it's pretty cool stuff.
After it was all assembled, I hit the edges with a 1/8" roundover bit, and applied a few more coats of tung oil, sanding in between. I routed keyhole slots on the back sides to hang it on the wall, and there she sits.
I cut the joints with a 5/8" dovetail bit in the router table. They were tight but I got them seated using moderate persuasion with a deadblow hammer.
I didn't use any glue in the dovetails, but I did pin them with a dowel. In hindsight, I wish I would have placed the dowel close to the front edge, to limit wood movement on the front end of the joint. Oh well, water under the bridge.
The roasted maple darkens up nicely with a tung oil finish. If you've never used roasted woods before (also sometimes called baked, or thermally modified) it's pretty cool stuff.
After it was all assembled, I hit the edges with a 1/8" roundover bit, and applied a few more coats of tung oil, sanding in between. I routed keyhole slots on the back sides to hang it on the wall, and there she sits.