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Project Information

So named, because of the half blind dovetails. This was originally intended to be a Fathers Day gift for my dad, but that deadline came up too quickly. It then sat on my counter unglued and unfinished for almost half the year until I decided to finally quit being lazy and get it done for Christmas.

We have a family cabin on a lake (kind of, Lake City is on Lake Pepin, which is a wide spot in the Mississippi), and there's always been a pile of stuff on the counter by the door. Cellphones, keys, wallets, sunglasses, etc. Stuff that doesn't go well with bathing suits and water. I figured this might help out with the large pile, and make it more organized (My dad, brother, and I typically have a pile of cellphone, wallet, keys etc).

My second foray into half blind dovetails turned out pretty well I think, but I did have to do a little damage control. Between the 4 corners, I had to use about 10-12 different wedges to fill some gaps. Still practicing :) I also hid the groove for the bottom for the first time, using a half tail in this one too. This was another strictly hand tool project.

Front and back are Mahogany, sides and dividers are Red Oak, and the bottom is 1/8" birch ply.

The finish regiment is as follows:
  • 1 coat of 3/8 cup Dewaxed Shellac with 2 drops of Vintage Maple TransTint dye
  • Sanded with 320 grit
  • 3 coats Minwax Polycrylic semi gloss, sanding with 400 grit between coats (ran out of 320)
  • Lightly sanded with 1000 grit
  • Waxed with paste wax applied by rag and buffed

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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7,192 Posts
Good idea Mos and the dovetails look fine to me. Sure to put a smile on your dad's face.
 

· Registered
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18,702 Posts
Nice dove tails. Try them with the blue wig on next time, that might help!!

Nice piece. It will look great in the cabin.
 

· Just Plane Crazy
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11,578 Posts
Thanks Andy! It's the second counter tray I've made, first was for me, but only had 2 compartments. Only through dovetails as well.

Thanks Don, that thing was way too warm to work in lol
 

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7,180 Posts
Looks great, Mos! Love the color of the tinted shellac.
 

· Just Plane Crazy
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Thanks Terry. It was just enough to bring out the contrast between the two a little better. Overall I'm happy with the color.
 

· Registered
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16,235 Posts
^ Ditto to all the above, very nice work. Love half-blinds, they're my favorite task with chisels.
 

· Registered
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5,529 Posts
Nice job on the dovetails, I'm sure your father is going to love it.
 

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9,607 Posts
Good looking tray Mos. Well done man. Red oak and mahogany are very complimentary.
 

· Just Plane Crazy
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11,578 Posts
Thanks guys. I have grown quite fond of red oak and mahogany myself. if nothing else, I like the texture/grain contrast
 

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377 Posts
Glad you got around to finishing it. It looks great and should be a big help organizing that pile.
 

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5,738 Posts
Great job Mos, the DT's turned out great, I wouldn't have noticed any patches if you hadn't pointed them out.

Great hand tool work! Those dado's look pristine.
 
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