Forum topic by Joans | posted 09-04-2015 06:37 PM | 901 views | 0 times favorited | 6 replies | ![]() |
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09-04-2015 06:37 PM |
New to woodworking and new to the forum! I was hoping you all wouldn’t mind answering a few questions for me. I am building a decorative centerpiece which will just be a 1 foot square by 2 foot tall hollowed out block of wood. I wanted to make it a butcher block type of pattern by alternating two different types of hardwood. I will cut the wood so that the middle 6 inches or so will be hollow with a little light that shines down through a colored lens and illuminates the tabletop around 4 short legs (I guess a lot of that is irrelevant). It will basically be a big hollow decorative butcher block. My questions are: 1) Any thoughts on what would be 2 good types of hardwood to alternate to get a little differentiation in layered color, but not too much – and wood that won’t contract, expand or bow over time and pull apart (or can that even be a problem)? 2) Can I just sand the wood, coat it well with wood glue and clamp those layers together and have them bond permanently or will I need to countersink some wood screws or something between the layers? (I’ve never built anything and just used glue) 3) I had a friend that swears by this Sam Maloof hand rub finish that I was going to try, but I think I would like mine to come out a little darker brown to dark cherry. Would it be a bad idea to just put a coat of some type of stain on the wood first and then try the rub, or is there a better stain / protective combo that would last a very long time on a decorative item? Thanks so much for any suggestions! |