Replies

1. 
   elana | Sep 06, 2005 11:05pm | #1

   maple to cherry no problem!

2. 
   SVSander | Sep 07, 2005 01:52am | #2

   Although staining is not one of my strong points, I have seen birch stained to look like cherry - it looks very good when done by someone more talented than I am.

   Good luck,
   Richard Baker

3. 
   ajm | Sep 07, 2005 04:25am | #3

   I second the maple to cherry. I have built bookcases birch ply sides/ maple face frames. put a little minwax cherry stain on it an presto.... or at least close enough, IMHO

4. 
   PlaneWood | Sep 07, 2005 05:11am | #4

   Poplar, when stained, can look like cherry.  I would suggest Old Masters Cherry Penetrating stain #40304.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   DCarr10760 | Sep 09, 2005 02:24am | #8

   I've never had much luck staining poplar, particularly when it's real "green" (in color, not freshly cut).  But with a coat of orange shellac and then some tinted polyurethane over the shellac it comes out nice.

   Work it out on scrap first.

   David

5. 
   jack | Sep 07, 2005 08:54am | #5

   Alder is called the "poor man's cherry". I've built pieces out of alder and placed them next to cherry furniture and haven't found anyone - including some professional custom furniture builders - who can tell the difference. Alder costs 1/2 or less than cherry - recently bought a couple hundred feet of cabinet grade for $1.30 BF and select for $3.00. The drawback is that it is fairly soft. I don't use it in areas that will see physical abuse.

6. 
   ring | Sep 07, 2005 09:55pm | #6

   Alder.

   DR

7. 
   notDusty | Sep 07, 2005 10:54pm | #7

       JONAS ,

                       I also would use Alder if we needed to keep the price down , I had the local paint store take  some Old Masters Cherry stain and mix some yellow colorant or tinting compound into it to kill the orangy effects of the Alder and wa lah !

                   good  luck       dusty