ok, I’ve finished my first real woodworking, non-carpentry around the house project – it’s a desk for my wife (who makes jewelry out of semi-precious stones and beads). I know I’ve fouled up a few things and there are tons of things I’d do differently next time, but, well, at least it’s finished!
- Materials: Poplar and pine
- Finish: milk paint (2 coats barn red, 2 coats pitch black), some distressing and some clear wax.
I’d asked before how to make a depression – there’s a close up of the depression I ended up making. I used a dish carving bit but I wasn’t really happy with that, so the edges were eased by a bit (ok, a lot) of sanding.
Here’s a question if anyone wants to chime in… there’s a bit of a grey haze from the wax – is that because I used too much? Not enough? I buffed it with a buffing thing on the end of the drill, but that just made it hazier.
Here are a few pics – not worthy of being on the gallery, but OK for the “new to woodworking” folder…
Replies
Kummel,
Nice desk. Nice depression. Thanks for sharing it. You don't give yourself enough credit. IMHO, woodworking is like being a long distance runner. If you want to progress, you should focus on comparing your current performance with your past performances, and not worry about the performance of others. So don't say that your desk doesn't belong in the Gallery. It would be perfectly fine there, or here. As a first project in cabinetmaking, YOU DID GREAT!!!
Glad you found much to change in the future. That proves that you are learning fast. It looks to me like you are on the fast track to a great woodworking life. My motto in woodworking is my tag-line below. It's not a bad way to check to see how you are doing. Every now and then, while you are doing your woodworking, check to see if you are enjoying it. If not, make a change.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Thanks Mel - your kind words mean a lot! My wife is really pleased with the desk, it's nice that she doesn't see the places I know I screwed up, er, I mean gave the desk "special character."
Take care!
Matt
Hi Kummell,
Very nice desk! I would put it in the gallery, I think it's quite nice. As the other poster said, you don't give yourself enough credit. Keep up the good work.
Lee
You didn't screw up, it's called distressing. Congrats.
Jack
Try using some mineral spirits to remove some of the wax. Just take a paper towel and wet it with the mineral spirit and wipe on the desk. Use long straight strokes with the grain.
Let it set for about 20 minutes or more but not more than say, 30 minutes.
Then buff with a soft cotton cloth, like an old t-shirt.
See if that helps.
What kind(brand) of wax did you use?
I don't think you waited long enough before buffing and then the wax dried and left the haze.
J.P.
Great job! Welcome to "the club." We will be in contact regarding the secret handshake :)
One of my clients carries a lot of heavily distressed furniture and this would fit right in. Want to to do 20 or 30 more?
20-30 more, huh? I can't even imagine what my 10x14 basement workshop would look like in the middle of that!!
At last, a real normal woodworker! You must be slim, my w/shop is 14 by 14.
The desk is great but the learning curve is only just starting. If you do not mind advice:-
Do not be in such a hurry to tell you wife that the next project is finished. Incorporate two or three trips to wherever you get supplies and say they are awaiting a delivery. Mention you could use a (very expensive ) router, then later explain that you will settle for the cheaper one you really want. If your wife does not read this site blame 9619 or byhammerandhand for beguiling you into setting up for production. Change the power breaker so it always trips when you switch anything on and explain that you really need three phase power. These are basic tips but should carry you through to 2012.
mufti, thanks for the sound advice. I noticed on your profile that you're in England - I suppose that's why your advice has hit so close to home - my wife's from Berkshire.
Her mum's scottish, so she's definitely inherited her short arms and long pockets; any excuse is helpful!
My next task is to create the crisis that I need one of these:
http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/75050ta.html
(I know I could just buy a $30 mortise chisel and learn to do it by hand... but she doesn't need to know that...)
This is a bit serious. Over many years I have bought far too many tools, the ones I have regretted and got rid of came from the far east. Cast iron only means iron that has been cast, however badly or how too soon machined etc does not come into it. If you spend money do consider all made in USA, GB, Germany, Belgium but not China, Taiwan etc. If something promises to be all singing, all dancing with bells included avoid it as a gift. Many best buys are pro- workshop secondhand, the quality they buy rarely wears out.
Ah Man, I LOVE your desk! It reminds me of my first piece of furniture. My brand new wife wanted to know if I could make her a sewing machine cabinet. Of course I said "sure". Fortunately for me, my father-in-law was simply great at anything that he tried his hand in, one of those things being cabinetry (another was teaching a young man how to do things without making him feel stupid). Sooo, he hauled out some old cherry wood, handed me a pencil and pad and said "step one - draw out what you want to make".
Two weeks and a great number of fond memories later, a sewing machine cabinet came out of that old farmers woodworking/tractor repairing/electrical fixing/work shop. It too had it's share of oops and gosh darns. My wife loved it too. Probably one reason we're still married, 40 great years later.
You are going to really enjoy woodworking.
Very nice! Congratulations on finishing your first "real" piece. :)
That's a good looking desk!! I really like the depression in it. About the haze... IMHO I think that without the haze the pitch black would look a little to "new" so I think unless you can feel the haze on the surface or it otherwise interferes just leave it
-Ryan
In my projects, I call the mistakes "my signatures". Someday it may be one of your "signatures" that makes you famous! Nice looking desk!
Don
Kummell,
I agree with the other posts. You did a fine job on this table. I'm a believer that function should often trump style, and I've seen that in various workbenches over the years, for instance. When I first got into woodworking, I drooled over some of the European style workbenches made entirely from birch and maple. They were gorgeous works of art, and certainly functional, but would cost many, many hundreds of dollars to reproduce...perhaps thousands today. Then, I looked at the workbenches of many of the old masters and wondered how they could even take a picture of something so beat up and ugly. OK.....I'm older, and hopefully wiser now, and I realize that any piece of furniture....a workbench, or your wife's desk...needs to fulfill its intended purpose more than make some sort of statement. Each project is a learning experience, and as you stated, there will be things you will do differently next time. As soon as my garage/workshop is built, I'll be building another one of my "$50 workbenches". I scrounge the new construction sites looking for scrap ply and lumber and build a perfectly functional workbench for next to nothing. OK, perhaps it's not $50, but it certainly doesn't cost me thousands....and I'm not afraid to put a ding in it either. Keep up the good work.
Lon in SoCal
Edited 8/26/2006 9:29 am ET by pilotlon
Hey your desk is awesome! I went back to the photos and could see your "haze"- it looks like its supposed to be there! I think it adds some antique charm.
Also, to the fella that made the sewing machine cabinet that has kept him married for 40 years, could we please have your plans?
Best Reagards,
KB
Nice desk!
I like the finish. I have used this combination of layers of different colored milk paint and some creative sanding to make a distressed look many times. Instead of topping it with wax, might I suggest using boiled linseed oil (BLO). Apply the BLO liberally, let it sit wet for about 30 minutes, then wipe off the excess. Needs 1-3 days to dry well, but it really accentuates the milk paint.
If you would want to put BLO on this piece, the wax can be removed relatively easily with mineral spirits.
Paul
Looks to me like you might have used a regular (clear) paste wax. You should try a dark colored paste wax. These are made for dark woods so you don't get the type of haze that your pictures seem to show. Minwax makes one that they sell at the home centers and paint stores. It's ok, their are of course other brands that may or may not be any better but the Minwax is the easiest to find.
Of course you would remove the old wax with some Mineral spirits.
Edited 8/27/2006 1:16 pm ET by scott345
Great Hot Pot on the table distress, You beat my wift to the actual thing. You asked about the wax. Thinner coats at a time is better, I would be tempted to strip the wax and apply some thin coats of Mahogany/Cherry Briwax, It will "Age" the piece very nicely, especially if you rub the high spots and lightly buff the leave heavy wax in the corners and joints. Great job!
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
thanks for the kind comments everyone - it's just the encouragement I need as I kick off my next project! (a stereo cabinet, under the TV sorta thing)
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