Grey elm bookcase

[charliex]

Here's the results of the "let's see what elm is like" test. Several weeks ago I inquired if anyone had used elm for a project and I received several yes answers so I gave it a try. I used grey elm and had no fuzzy issues so that may be a red elm issue. It works very much like maple but shows more grain. When planed it comes out like glass, is very light almost white color and very smooth to the touch. So nice in fact that I hated to put a finish on it. Now the problem. It is very waney. I was aware of this from seeing some elm that was air drying along with some oak and maple. The oak and maple were relitively flat but the elm looked like a cork screw. I started with 13/16" thick boards and by the time I got the up-right parts flat they were down to 11/16". The wood is very strong so this shouldn't be a problem. It is assembled with notches so it just slides together. (With the assistance of a large dead blow mallet.)
The left pic is before finish, and the right is after 1 coat of wipe-on poly.
Thanks for looking.
Chas

[bthere]

Looks like it turned out very nice.

[Ed62]

I remember the thread where you asked about working with elm. I really like the looks of the finished product. Thanks for posting.

Ed

[bigstick509]

Vnw

[Knottscott]

Nice project Charlie. That light color blows me away b/c red elm is so much darker... or should I say "redder"?!

Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Pappy]

Nice wood and shelves, Charlie.

[lrogers]

I like your design, very clean and modern looking. The picture of the unfinished elm looks a lot like poplar. Wonder if the elm tree is related to the poplar?

[jhart]

Turned out sweet, Charlie. Nice job.

[mater]

Very nice work.

[ejs1097]

I like the design and the elm looks great.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.