08-03-2013, 12:40 PM
Hi,
No problem at all Colin; I miss lots of posts due to time limitations; the hours are shorter for some reason whilst I'm on the computer.
Your oak drawer unit looks superb; very well done it's now a nice family heirloom. I too enjoy working with solid timber whether hard or softwood. I've never had any objection to using Danish oil other than I would never use it on a vintage radio/TV cabinet; I also believe it is up to the owner of an item as to what finish to apply as we are all different and have our own preferences; your oak unit would look beautiful in any setting Colin. One advantage of using re-claimed timber is that it should be very stable; I bet you enjoyed designing and making this unit and hopefully it will encourage others to have a go.
Regarding your prototype unit in pine I think polyurethane varnish chosen and applied by your daughter to be an excellent finish; I used polyurethane as a finish on my new computer desk as polyurethane takes a lot of beating in a high use area. I dislike the coloured varnishes preferring to stain then apply clear varnish; I find the coloured vanish tends to show tide marks. Varnish is actually a very good finish for radio cabinets.
Birch veneer would be a good choice Colin if you decide to have a go at veneering your Ikea ward-robes but if you have never tried applying veneer before please try veneering something smaller just to gain a bit of practice. I've just had a quick look on eBay for Birch veneer but can only see Masur Birch on offer and this is more expensive because it is figured; I find it pays to spend time looking at various veneers because some are much cheaper than others. Oak is readily available in large sizes and this too is light in colour if left natural and on a flat surface should be reasonably easy to lay; Maple is also light coloured. what adhesive would you use Colin?
Please have a look at the following website as it gives a good idea of veneers available; click on the images for a bigger picture
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wood+veneer+types&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_tk5UfWfGvPU4QTTtYHADA&ved=0CEoQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=979#imgrc=RcD6rcWu6ZGSUM%3A%3BjkqQRV2aEGVS8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmontezumaproperties.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F11%252Fwood-door-types.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmontezumaproperties.com%252Fprofessionals%252Fhouse-doors-doors-for-your-home%252F%3B582%3B497
Keep up the good work Colin and please keep sharing your stories because many members are proficient with the electrical side of restoring a vintage radio but shy away from tackling a woody cabinet; hopefully by seeing such excellent work as yours it might encourage them to have a go?
Kind regards, Col.
No problem at all Colin; I miss lots of posts due to time limitations; the hours are shorter for some reason whilst I'm on the computer.
Your oak drawer unit looks superb; very well done it's now a nice family heirloom. I too enjoy working with solid timber whether hard or softwood. I've never had any objection to using Danish oil other than I would never use it on a vintage radio/TV cabinet; I also believe it is up to the owner of an item as to what finish to apply as we are all different and have our own preferences; your oak unit would look beautiful in any setting Colin. One advantage of using re-claimed timber is that it should be very stable; I bet you enjoyed designing and making this unit and hopefully it will encourage others to have a go.
Regarding your prototype unit in pine I think polyurethane varnish chosen and applied by your daughter to be an excellent finish; I used polyurethane as a finish on my new computer desk as polyurethane takes a lot of beating in a high use area. I dislike the coloured varnishes preferring to stain then apply clear varnish; I find the coloured vanish tends to show tide marks. Varnish is actually a very good finish for radio cabinets.
Birch veneer would be a good choice Colin if you decide to have a go at veneering your Ikea ward-robes but if you have never tried applying veneer before please try veneering something smaller just to gain a bit of practice. I've just had a quick look on eBay for Birch veneer but can only see Masur Birch on offer and this is more expensive because it is figured; I find it pays to spend time looking at various veneers because some are much cheaper than others. Oak is readily available in large sizes and this too is light in colour if left natural and on a flat surface should be reasonably easy to lay; Maple is also light coloured. what adhesive would you use Colin?
Please have a look at the following website as it gives a good idea of veneers available; click on the images for a bigger picture
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wood+veneer+types&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_tk5UfWfGvPU4QTTtYHADA&ved=0CEoQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=979#imgrc=RcD6rcWu6ZGSUM%3A%3BjkqQRV2aEGVS8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmontezumaproperties.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F11%252Fwood-door-types.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmontezumaproperties.com%252Fprofessionals%252Fhouse-doors-doors-for-your-home%252F%3B582%3B497
Keep up the good work Colin and please keep sharing your stories because many members are proficient with the electrical side of restoring a vintage radio but shy away from tackling a woody cabinet; hopefully by seeing such excellent work as yours it might encourage them to have a go?
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
