| Project by Todd A. Clippinger | posted 973 days ago | 1137 views | 10 times favorited | 21 comments | ![]() |
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This bookcase is the most recent piece that I added to our house. I built it on spec to sell and then could not part with it. I have a client inquiring about making one for her later this year.
The design is from Pete Zuerner’s article in Fine Woodworking #161. The look is basically the same on mine, but the dimensions are different to accomodate the limited materials I had. Pete’s design captured my attention when I first saw it, and I always had it in the back of my mind that I would make one like it when I got the right materials.
I got this log of spalted, curly maple in Ohio that was just squared off. 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 here, compared to Ohio’s 95%. (I strongly suggest a hygrometer in your shop and following the numbers.)
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.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com






























21 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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14167 posts in 1058 days
posted 973 days ago
I looked at the project first and thought “this looks like a Todd creation”.. and then what do I see??? It IS a Todd creation!!! :)
Very nice. I couldn’t part with it either.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 973 days ago
I just love you!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
MsDebbieP
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14167 posts in 1058 days
posted 973 days ago
your work speaks for itself…
I just put it in writing!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 973 days ago
Todd. What did you glue your veneer to then. something like 1/2” plywood. I see that you put veneer on both sides. That’s why I’m guessing that it’s not just 2 sheets for veneer.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
gizmodyne
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1678 posts in 987 days
posted 973 days ago
Todd,
Another beautiful piece. Very light in form.
Could you please post some photos of your progress on a future project so we can see how its done? I think all of would benefit.
Also, I would love to see a blog on how to work with a hygrometer.
Keep up the great work!
John
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 973 days ago
Gizmo,
You can get a thermometer at Wal-Mart or Target for about $12 that has a hygrometer on it. All it does is tell you the humidity level. I like to keep and eye on it in the shop and outside. I also have one in the house.
Keeping projects in my own house has been valuable for determining the effectiveness of the products and materials that I use and how they move. It also creates a bit of a showroom too.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 973 days ago
Karson,
I use Unibond 800 glue and a vacuum press. I used 1/2 baltic birch as the core. After glue up, I make sure that I sand both sides an equal amount to maintain balance.
The sweet thing about the Unibond 800 is that it dries hard and is sandable without gumming up the sandpaper.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
CharlieM1958
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7670 posts in 1116 days
posted 973 days ago
Beautiful, Todd. I love spalted maple.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 973 days ago
I bought some Unibond but have yet to use it. Because it seems that I’m always doing my veneer in the winter and the shop is not hot enough for Unibond. maybe this summer.
I haven’t looked but do you know what is the shelf life of the Unibond powder. The container has never been opened.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7043 posts in 1197 days
posted 973 days ago
That’s a great way to use that spalted Maple. Most of the time you only see it in wood turnings, it’s beautiful.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Max
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posted 973 days ago
A very nice combination of woods. Excellent work…
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
Bill
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posted 973 days ago
Nice job Todd. I notice a theme of dark and light contrasts in your work. Is that just the projects you have posted, or is that your usual style? Just wondering, because it looks great.
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
fred
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257 posts in 996 days
posted 973 days ago
This is a beautiful piece. I love the contrast of the wood. My favorite detail is the coved crown molding.
-- Fred Childs, Pasadena, CA - - - Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 973 days ago
The contrast in texture and colors is something that I have naturally gravitated towards, but I don’t think it is an absolute in design necessity.
The top does not have a crown moulding on it. It is a solid top with a big cove in it. It also is on the back. Usually the cove would not continue across the back for it to sit against the wall. I make “walk around” furniture, and this piece could sit in the middle of a big room or gallery and be pleasing from all sides.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 973 days ago
Karson,
The resin has a shelf life of up to year and the powder hardener has an indefinite shelf life. This info is from the dealer.
I have used the resin at 14 months and it starts getting thick, but it still worked. I had a little left and gave it to a friend to finish off, he was wanting to try it. Temperature is a great factor in the shelf life. They have a general scale of shelf life and temperatures at www.vacupress.com.
When I use the glue in the cooler season, I heat my vacuum bag and platen with a heating blanket with moving blankets on top. I like to preheat them while I work on the glue-ups, and keep the project covered during the cure time. It has worked out quite well. I keep my shop at 50 degrees when not in use and I only turn it up to 60 when working. I use an overhead Hot Dawg heater.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Chip
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1058 posts in 990 days
posted 973 days ago
The comments about your work being so light and airy are so true. You definitely have your own style which is just terrific. And what can I say about the wood. Just a wonderful piece. I can see why you didn’t want to part with it. Thanks for sharing.
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.
scottb
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3402 posts in 1224 days
posted 972 days ago
Great work!
So all your furniture is centered in the room then? Leaves plenty of wallspace for artwork I suppose… Or, it could fit better against a wall where there is baseboard heat…
THe one thing I hate about the renovation magazines is how they seem to show that everyone has forced hot air. I’ve only lived in one house (out of 7) that didn’t have baseboard heaters (electric or otherwise) Oh how I hate them so!
give me a chance to put in radiant floor heat, please!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 972 days ago
Actually this design would accomodate electric baseboard heat.
Walk around furniture is just my standard.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Thomas Porter
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posted 972 days ago
I love the wood selection and the hardware. That’s a lot of hole drilling.
-- Thomas Porter, Phoenix, AZ, www.thomasporter.com
scottb
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3402 posts in 1224 days
posted 971 days ago
Just one more reason I love your work! (Or perhaps two)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Todd A. Clippinger
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5653 posts in 997 days
posted 971 days ago
I use the hole drilling guide by Veritas. It works pretty good. It sets up both lines at once. But you are right, it is a lot of drilling.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com