Tool Chest - American Cherry and Hard Maple

Using cherry sure made this tool chest prettier than expected. Instead of a typical polyurethane or varnish finish, I used the more traditional shellac and wax. As I recently found out, shellac is made from an Asian insect known as the lac bug. The insect's secretions are dissolved in alcohol and the resulting solution brings out the natural color of wood. Three coats of wax (carnauba, bees, and other waxes) were rubbed in and buffed to a polish. Hand-cut dovetails made this project considerably time consuming, but worth it in the end. Hard maple, used for the drawer sides, works well with cherry's red tint.

Dining Table - Soft Maple and Hard Maple

I wish I could say I loved this dining table, especially after all the work I put into it. It's a decent piece for a first time job, but I'd do things differently next time. Other than some small blemishes, the table top (hard maple) developed some considerable wood warp. Not sure how it happened, but the literature says that warping is a common frustration for wood workers. Fortunately, it still works as a table, and the top can be "unwarped" by simply putting a wet towel on it for one day, however it slowly warps back over a couple weeks. Some day, I'm sure I'll make a new top, twice as thick which I'll firmly attach to the pedestal base with tabletop fasteners. Until then, I'll put up with the warping since I like the option of pull-out leaves. Finish: Sanded to 220, two coats of clear gel stain, then two coats of clear varnish.