Some Assembly Required

After spending 3 months learning Google's SketchUp followed by designing my cabinetry (and of course the pre-requisite redesigns) it's time to start building.

 

The wood is in the shop and construction will commence shortly.  After some consideration I went with the oak.  I just love the look.  The only alternative I really considered was maple.  Though beautiful, I thought the maple might be just a little too plain.  I do have some concern that the oak will be too busy but I am not planning on staining it.  It will be finished with a clear finish, which will add a slight yellow component to the color, but I think it will still be amazing.  There are, of course, other, and cheaper, woods that could be used.  By and large, the price difference is negligible and I think I would regret spending the time on something that wasn't what I really wanted.

 

 

I have been able to carve out some time to get on the new scrollsaw.  The scrollsaw is probably my favorite tool.  This Noah's Ark is a project I designed several years ago.  The animals are borrowed from another project.  The first was made for our church in New Jersey.  This one is number two and has a special destination.  Maybe someday I will make another one but that will probably be it.

Of course, there's always pens in progress.  This one is Cocobolo (I am making 3 of them).  Immediately after cutting, the wood is a pleasant brown with a nice grain pattern.  It also comes with a nice little surprise in that it oxidizes very quickly (overnight) to add a beautiful golden hue to the wood.  The waterbased finish I use seems to accentuate the tones (perhaps adds to the oxidation).  These pens will have a gold kit to round out the cigar style pens.