The latest from the Woodworker's shop

   Time for a little show and tell from the woodworker, Sir Old Man.  This was the "practice project" he began to learn the techniques required for the new bed.
Hold to to your pins and needles.....this is good!

   This is made of  quarter sawn  white oak---expensive and harder to get---and curly maple for the drawer inside.    Once the pieces were cut and fitted, Sir Old Man built a fuming tent.  All the pieces were fumed with ammonia to give them the aged look he wanted.  The light stripe area, which is sap wood,  did not darken.....he was a little disappointed about this at first.   

   From the side you can see more sap wood that was used for the spindles.  The spindles are not glued in.  He used/learned the mortise and tendon technique for them.  Note the slightly taper legs.....it took  a while to figure that part out and then to make a "jig" to get just the right cut.

   The drawer......he found a special knob that he liked.  And now there is a spot for the remote control devices!  But there is more.....

   He added a secret compartment to the drawer.  He thought I could not/would not be able to discover the latch.  Aha!  Found it.   

   The sides of the drawer are curly maple.  And check out those dove tails.  Aren't they beautiful?   The little details bespeak his attention to detail and perfection.  So why does he put up with me, I wonder.

   The drawer face is another little detail he worked hard on. He wanted the grain lines to match up......so the drawer front and the stretcher piece underneath it had to be cut from the same board.  He got it perfect, I think.  

   The finished top is really that reflective.  It feels smooth as glass.   He spent at least a week  on the hand rubbed finish with a special concoction/recipe from one of the master woodworker's at his guild.  

   So I say practice is over,Sir Old Man,  time to get to the real stuff!!