Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | Jan 03, 2008 08:01pm | #1

   George,
   You're going to have nothing but trouble if you glue a border around your solid maple top. You can edge it with the cherry on the long grain edges because then the cherry and maple will move in concert together. But gluing cross grain will cause splitting or warping problems over time. If you're stuck on using cherry to highlight the maple, then add breadboard ends across the end grain of the maple. This will keep the top flat while still allowing for movement as the breadboards are not glued except in their middle. Let me know if you need more info on breadboards.

   As for a finish, I think you'll find it hard to keep the wood whitish and still pop that figure. You could use a coat of tung oil or linseed oil, but these oils will yellow your wood over time, the tung oil a bit less. Let them dry before top coating.

   You could try some experiments with shellac to see if you get a color and pop you like. I'd try some orange or garnet shellac and check the results. Or if you want some eye popping results, ferrous sulfate will highlight your grain. It does make for a dark looking maple that may not be what you're after.

   Above all, experiment on scrap before getting started on the real piece. Good luck. Gary

1. 
   gwwoodman | Jan 07, 2008 05:58am | #2

   Gary,

   Thank you very much for your advice on the cherry border and on the finish for the desk top.  I would like to get more information on the breadboarding techniques you mentioned.  I've seen this on a number of desks but have not done this on any projects yet.

   Thanks again for your help!!

   George

    

1. 
   user-148830 | Jan 08, 2008 10:58pm | #3

   George,
   I found a whole bunch of articles on the topic from FWW past. Click on Fine Woodworking.com and go to the home page for the magazine. Then in the search spot, just type in breadboard ends. There are a couple of articles, some by yours truly, that go into detail on how to make breadboard ends. If you don't have access there, let me know and I'll give you the short synopsis. But there really are several ways to make breadboard ends from tongue and groove to fancy slotted mortise and tenons. Good luck. Gary

1. 
   gwwoodman | Jan 09, 2008 04:44am | #4

   Gary,

   Thanks so much for all your help, I'll check out the articles and give it a try. 

   George