| Project by Patrick Jaromin | posted 489 days ago | 859 views | 2 times favorited | 18 comments |  |
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Just after our second child, Sean, was born, my parents came out for a visit. While they were here, my mother mentioned that she was planning to purchase a toddler step for my niece, Samantha. Apparently this has become something of a tradition for her. I promptly nixed that idea, insisting that I build one for her instead. 18mos. later, during another visit with my folks, I was reminded that the bench was yet to be delivered. Sigh.
The past two weekends I managed to scrape together enough hours to complete this simple bench/step. As my niece’s middle name is “Rose”, the plan was to inlay a rose into the top. I’ve done very few hand cut (see note) dovetails, so I figured I’d also take this opportunity to gain some practice. And while I’ve incorporated inlays into a number of my previous pieces, I always welcome the chance to gain some additional experience there as well. So a rather simple, blocky design was born. While it won’t likely win any design contests, I found cutting and fine tuning the dovetails very relaxing. It was also quite satisfying to assemble.
The sides are walnut, the top, is cherry. The inlaid rose petals are bloodwood and the stem is zebrawood. The finish is Watco Danish Oil, natural.
(full disclosure: by “hand cut” I mean using a bandsaw and chisels instead of a router template. If it’s good enough for David Marks... ;) )
UPDATE:
I decided it needed a couple top coats of a tung oil-based finish. This added a medium sheen to the piece and I think improved the look dramatically. I’ve replaced the second and third pics with new ones.
(originally posted at http://tenonandspline.com/blog/archives/80)
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog
18 comments so far
jockmike2
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7297 posts in 1138 days
posted 489 days ago
Nice job. Actually a beautiful piece.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Bigdogs117
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1808 posts in 513 days
posted 489 days ago
Great work. I really like the choice of wood.
-- Rusty
CharlieM1958
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7599 posts in 1110 days
posted 489 days ago
Nice job on the joints and the inlay. Great wood choice.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
thetimberkid
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1944 posts in 595 days
posted 489 days ago
Great table!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/
Betsy
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2388 posts in 788 days
posted 489 days ago
That’s destined to be an heirloom! Great job. I’m sure it will be cherished.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
trifern
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7894 posts in 659 days
posted 489 days ago
Very nice looking step stool. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 615 days
posted 489 days ago
The inlay looks great, it almost shouldn’t be stepped on, but the wear will add character to the stool for your niece.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Dusty56
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3455 posts in 580 days
posted 489 days ago
WOW !!! this looks fantastic and the rose is just fine : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 615 days
posted 489 days ago
Great job on the inlay Patrick…and also on the dovetails. Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
matt garcia
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716 posts in 564 days
posted 489 days ago
It’s very David Marks!! Great job!!
-- Matt, Houston Texas
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 743 days
posted 488 days ago
Great job Patrick.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
EduWood
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50 posts in 519 days
posted 488 days ago
Very nice! I’m sure everyone agrees that it was worth the wait.
-- David, O.C., California
Patrick Jaromin
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284 posts in 724 days
posted 488 days ago
I appreciate the comments.
Thanks, all!
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog
benihun
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24 posts in 539 days
posted 487 days ago
The dovetails look awesome and the inlay is also very nice! The look of the whole piece is a pleasure for the eyes. Very good combination of woodtypes.
Thanks for sharing it!
ND2ELK
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6134 posts in 666 days
posted 487 days ago
Hi Patrick
Exquisite detail and design as always. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
jeanmarc
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1750 posts in 608 days
posted 478 days ago
Great job
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Bob A in NJ
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521 posts in 891 days
posted 436 days ago
This inspires me to make one. Thanks
-- Bob A in NJ
MsDebbieP
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14159 posts in 1052 days
posted 436 days ago
so beautiful
and Mom said… ??
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)