Project Information
I built this bookcase on spec to sell and then could not part with it.
The design is from Pete Zuerner's article in Fine Woodworking #161. Pete's design captured my attention when I first saw it and I always had it in the back of my mind, thinking that I would make one like it when I got the right materials.
While working in Ohio I got this log of spalted, curly maple that was 10' long , it had the pith in it and everything. When I took it to home to Montana, I had to resaw it in short order because it started to check and twist almost immediately. Our ambient humidity level runs about 15-25% in the summer compared to Ohio's 95%. (I strongly suggest a hygrometer in your shop and following the numbers.)
My version has the same overall look, but I did not follow the directions and it is not to the same dimensions. I had limited material and I simply divided it out to fit a pleasing proportion.
I cut my veneer close to 1/8" thick and then finished cleaning it up in the sanding machine. Beautiful! I had in mind that the maple would go wonderfully with black walnut and I think that cherry would have worked too.
The finish is a satin pre-catalyzed lacquer from Sherwin Williams, it is the one that I always use. This seems to be holding up quite well to my books constantly being removed and replaced.
The design is from Pete Zuerner's article in Fine Woodworking #161. Pete's design captured my attention when I first saw it and I always had it in the back of my mind, thinking that I would make one like it when I got the right materials.
While working in Ohio I got this log of spalted, curly maple that was 10' long , it had the pith in it and everything. When I took it to home to Montana, I had to resaw it in short order because it started to check and twist almost immediately. Our ambient humidity level runs about 15-25% in the summer compared to Ohio's 95%. (I strongly suggest a hygrometer in your shop and following the numbers.)
My version has the same overall look, but I did not follow the directions and it is not to the same dimensions. I had limited material and I simply divided it out to fit a pleasing proportion.
I cut my veneer close to 1/8" thick and then finished cleaning it up in the sanding machine. Beautiful! I had in mind that the maple would go wonderfully with black walnut and I think that cherry would have worked too.
The finish is a satin pre-catalyzed lacquer from Sherwin Williams, it is the one that I always use. This seems to be holding up quite well to my books constantly being removed and replaced.