Replies

1. 
   jeanlou | Mar 24, 2007 11:12pm | #1

   George

   If you are worried about warping, them build the base as a closed box , and then it will never warp. If you are using a single piece of hardwood because you like the look and do not want to put in the time to build closed boxes, leave it as is and finish it all around, all 6 sides.

   Minwax makes a good product. There are many many people on this forum that will tell you about shellac - just ask if you need guidance (but do a search on the forum first for threads on shellac - there are MANY) and then duck behind some shelter as the info comes in on a tsunami sized wave...either is fine.  JL

1. 
   gmoney | Mar 24, 2007 11:28pm | #2

   that's funny concerning all the info here! ain't this forum great!? i love it.

1. 
   jeanlou | Mar 24, 2007 11:31pm | #3

   gmoney

   Yes it is pretty great. Lots of people networking to help eachother out. JL

2. 
   BoardmanWI | Mar 25, 2007 07:03pm | #4

   I can't really imagine those size bases warping at all - they're just not that big.  Walnut's a pretty "tame" wood, plus they have the weight of the sculptures on top.  I've always like BLO on walnut to bring the colors out, followed by poly.

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 25, 2007 07:26pm | #5

   It is highly unlikely that the walnut will warp if it has been acclimated to your shop/home.

   Second, ripping will not prevent future warping. A board ripped and re-glued to the same width will react the same to changes in moisture content as a solid board of the same width.

   Howie.........
1. 
   oldusty | Mar 25, 2007 07:42pm | #7

   Hiya Howie ,

                Clarification to your post , not meant to split hairs but ,,,

           what you say is true about the same width boards react the same and I think you mean % wise shrinkage ,,

      The op is concerned about warping , and when we rip and flip boards and re orient the beast it can be to a more manageable medium . Sure it will still share the common rules and characteristics , but will be flatter and more suitable as a work piece in some cases .

                     dusty

4. 
   oldusty | Mar 25, 2007 07:32pm | #6

   Hi george ,

           Somehow it seems each piece of wood has a mind of it's own . In general if the wood is warped now it may always stay that way .

      It is our challenge to design wise .

         Perhaps some small feet or ogee bracket corners  made to allow air under the slab . Or some slight cloudlift detail / shawdow line .

                   regards        dusty

5. 
   frenchy | Mar 25, 2007 09:32pm | #8

   GMT

     Walnut tends to be pretty stable, The idea of sawing it up and glueing it together strikes me as foolish.  Who wants to see glue lines?   IMHO

     Shellac is what I use all the time, it's a much nicer finish than polyurethanes.. it doesn't look so much like plastic, it's harder and simpler and faster and repairs easily..

    Shellac and walnut were made for each other.. fine quality furniture doesn't use polyurethanes, they use shellac!

    (all due respect to my friends who prefer lacquer)