This reader’s project incorporates some clever “interactive” functionality and plenty of storage.
A family I work with has a son who is crazy about airplanes. The mother sent me a picture of an airplane bed, and I knew I could do better. Attached are the sketchup design, a few pictures of the work in progress and the finished bed with Paulito included. I was disappointed that they added the box springs, as I had designed it for a single bunk mattress only, but I was told when Paulito goes to bed, he feels he is really flying.
It is made from hard maple, padauk, and Peruvian walnut. There is a little maple plywood and veneer, but it is mostly solid lumber with no stain or paint. I made two propellers which are easily removed. One is maple and the other is padauk and walnut. The wings pull out and form a storyteller’s seat, and the propeller really turns. There is plenty of storage in the drawers on the base.
- Joe Byron
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First things first – I’m not a woodworker. Actually, I WASN’T a woodworker. Longtime followers of the blog know that while I certainly appreciate the beauty, precision and creativity of this craft, I haven’t been someone that uses wood to make things that look good, serve a purpose, or both.
That all changed a couple months ago. Long story short, I decided that after almost four years of working with some pretty amazing woodworkers, it was time to join the party.
In a recent conversation with our field editor Chris Marshall about project I’m working on that involves walnut (which I’ll discuss in an upcoming post), he told me a story about a unique finishing situation that he ran into. I thought it would be a great thing to share… (more…)
Woodworking is anything but a simple craft. Every technique, finish option, tool choice or species of wood has innumerable issues related to it. “Can I cut a rabbet with a spiral bit?” “Should I try waterbased poly over rosewood?” “What’s the best size of air compressor for both fastening and spraying finish? “How do I keep end grain on a walnut blank from tearing out when I turn it?
You get the picture. Start a project or try something new and the questions surface, no matter what.
A diverse collection of different wood species, including a very appropriate use of old barn wood, really helps bring this reader-submitted project to life.
Made with African Paduak for the roof, regular “Old Barn Wood” for the barn itself, Blue Pine for the window panes, limbs from the Birch trees in my back yard, poplar for the trees themselves, a piece of Walnut for the barn door, an old 2X6 for the base of the piece, and a piece of 1/4″ plywood for the backing and the clouds.
- Jim Palmer; Jim’s Wood-n-Stuff; Ephrata, WA
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This unique project could arguably be considered more beautiful than anything that could be put in its drawers.
This is a jewelry box that I finished just in time for my daughters birthday. The case is curly maple. I popped the grain with amber dye, sanded back to reveal the long grain.
The front door and the drawer fronts were cut from a piece of Indonesian Rosewood that I book-matched.
The legs and pulls are also rosewood. The standoffs for the legs are walnut.
The finish is home-brewed Maloof oil. I applied Butcher’s wax a couple of weeks after the oil cured.
The drawers are all lined with red felt and have maple dividers. - Al Bibbero; Boulder, CO
Sometimes the most unlikely wood combinations turn out better than you’d imagine…
This TV Stand is made from 3/4″ Brazilian Walnut tongue and groove flooring. I made the raised door panels from solid Brazilian Walnut from a local wood specialty store. Top Trim molding and bottom skirt are American Walnut also purchased at local store. It measures 52” wide, 30” high and 18” deep.
It is only finished with rub on urethane. No stain.
The end insert panel is made of luan which surprisingly matched the walnut.
The piece is actually much darker than the pictures show.
I will have tiny slivers to show for years. J
- David Rafferty; Bloomfield Hills, MI
Do you have a project you’d like to share? Click here to send it in!
Punxsutawney Phil might be taunting us with the promise of an early spring, but winter here in Ohio (where I live) still holds us in an icy grip. Still, like the postal carriers vow, neither snow nor sleet will keep us here at the magazine from bringing you new projects, tools and techniques in your April issue. And, in just a few days, those diligent mail carriers will be bringing a copy to you. But, why wait? Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming your way.
Reader Denzil Bell sent in these photos of a blanket chase using three different wood species.
Here are some photos of a chest I made for my grandson. The project is made of cherry (cut by the recipient’s great grandfather), walnut and hard maple.
- Denzil Bell; Temperance, MI
Do you have a project that you’d like to share? Click here to send it in!
