Family Room Bookshelf

[SwingKing]

Well, its finally done (almost). I've been working on this project on and off for almost a year. It's definitely not perfect, but all in all I'm happy how it turned out. As you can see from the pics, LOML is already putting it to good use. The only part remaining is a top cap, but that may have to wait until I get a router table build that can handle the thumbnail bit I bought for the profile (its too big for my BT3). Next project: install baseboards throughout the house!





Here's a close-up of the doors. The one on the right was the one that I posted about over the weekend, where I drilled the hinge mounts on the front instead of the back. I decided the safest bet was to route out an opening in the back, flip the panel and then flip the door. The finish isn't perfect, but it turned out fine, thanks to everyone's suggestions and help.

[John Hunter]

Very nice!

[GeekMom]

Nice job! I like the contrasting band above the doors.

[SHADOWFOX]

Beautiful work!! I like it.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Very nice!
Please tell us a little about the wood and staining. Seems that the case is Red Oak with some interesting stain. What wood did you use for the door panels and banding above the doors (I like that accent as well).

[mater]

That is very nice. It looks like you have a nice library also.

[ChrisD]

Excellent choice of finish. The contrast is fantastic! Nice job!

[SwingKing]

Thanks for all the kind words. As Jeffrey said, the main unit is made from red oak and the accent strip/door panels are cherry/cherry ply. I had seen this mix of oak and cherry on blanket chest before and thought it made a nice contrast.

The finish is more complicated that I would have liked for a project this size. The oak is done with a layered approach, starting with an alcohol dye (TransTint Medium Reddish Brown), followed by a dark gel stain (General Finishes Candelite) and finally a number of coats of amber shellac. The cherry just has the final shellac finish. Someone else here did something similar with a mission-style table a year or so ago and I liked it so much I copied their idea.

It doesn't show well in the pictures, but this layered finish does give the wood a nice depth, especially when it is lit by the afternoon sun.

-- Ken

[Popeye]

That's just super. The contrasting colors are great. Pat

[GPA61]

Great job!!!

[bigstick509]

Very Nice

[Pappy]

That came out very nice!

[lrogers]

All those books now have a beautiful "home". I really like your choice/use of contrasting colors.

[cabinetman]

Came out great, and door fix is invisible. Very rich looking unit. Try to keep direct sun off of it. That's a pretty big library of woodworking books, I must say.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[Wood_workur]

looks very nice