Any cabinet makers/wood workers here?

[rgdillon]

I'm fixin to get ready to build my own cabinet humidor. My question is about Cherry wood. I have never ever used it to build anything with.

To save some time, etc - I plan on buying a few parts - the corner pedestal feet and also will have the arched glass doors made. The pedestal feet only come in oak, maple and cherry. Oak is out and not a choice. Maple, to me - I don't like the grain in either soft or hard.

I really wanted to build this out of Walnut - but don't know about matching the stain with the Cherry feet. I could do the whole thing out of Cherry - but I want a dark finish - along the lines of a dark cherry/red mahogany finish - just dark enough to still show the grains.

I think the density of the two woods will be to far apart to get a really good color match . . .??? So thoughts on this or will I be able to get the color dark enough by going all Cherry with it.

I know I could spray the finish and get everything really close - but I will lose the grain that I want - plus I'm looking for more of a hand rubbed finish.

Ron

 

[jvencius]

Go to the local library and check out/inter-library loan a copy of "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing" from the Taunton Press. HERE'S the Amazon link for it so you know what the book looks like. I've got a copy and it's an invaluable reference for tricky finishing situations.

FWIW, cherry can be a beyotch to finish correctly, since it's prone to getting blotchy if you use a stain. I'd recommend first applying a coat of dewaxed superblond shellac to seal the grain. Second, use a gel stain vs. a brush-on liquid stain since the gels tend to come out more evenly. Third, you might end up having to use a dark glaze to really get the dark-cherry look you're going for on a brand new piece of furniture.

While you're building the cabinet, cut a few ~ 6" square pieces out of the same boards you're using to make the cabinet with and set them aside. When it comes time to finish the piece, use those squares as testbeds to try out different combos of shellac/stain/glaze until you've got the color you want. It's a lot easier to do it that way instead of trying to fixed a screwed-up finish once it's on the piece.

 

[rgdillon]

Go to the local library and check out/inter-library loan a copy of "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing" from the Taunton Press.

Thanks - looks like a good book. I'll try to locate a copy around town here - much rather own it than rent it.

I'm no expert when it comes to building furniture - but can hold my own when I put my mind to it. And since this piece is going to be a center piece - I really want it to come out as my best ever. Therefore I'm working on the finish before I even buy a single stick for it.
As you know - a finish that sucks will ruin the best efforts.

Thanks and if you think of anything else/suggestions - I'm listening!

Ron

 

[powerboatr]

superblond shellac ???
thnaks

 

[jvencius]

superblond shellac ???
thnaks

Yep--it's the lightest color of shellac. Shellac ranges from Superblond (dang near clear, at least to my eyes) to Garnet (deep reddish-brown) in color.

 

[powerboatr]

thanks
i was having a hard time following the shellac first bit, but now i am blond (clear)