closing in on the home stretch...

[Dan Noren]

well, it finally has come to pass, with the extra time on my hands, thanks to not working, the time has come to finish the dining room set (that is what the wife tells me). she reminded me that i was going to finish it last year. so, she finally liked one of my finish samples (varathane cognac stain, rub with varathane kona gel stain, 2 coats of 1.5# cut of garnet shellac, and 2 coats of clear shellac, with a coat of poly on the table top). today, sanded all of the short side spindles, and gave them the coat of cognac. tomorrow, more sanding, and staining. the rest of the chairs, and the table will have to wait on the weather to cooperate.

 

[Toni Ciuraneta]

Good job Dan.!! Remember: If you keep her happy she'll keep you happy as well.

 

[Dan Noren]

Good job Dan.!! Remember: If you keep her happy she'll keep you happy as well.

also remember the old saying, happy wife, quiet wife. unhappy quiet wife, sleep with one eye open.

 

[Dan Noren]

got what i planned on doing done today. all that is left to be sanded, are the 4 legs, and a couple of other parts. the upper part of the back will be done, when i can get into the shop, as i have to drill the mortises for the back spindles.

 

[Dan Noren]

almost done with this step. still have the back legs to sand, and stain. then, on to the next step, the kona gel stain.

 

[Dan Noren]

got the last of the sanding and staining done tonight. tomorrow, it is on to the kona!

 

[Rennie Heuer]

Color is coming up nicely.

 

[Dan Noren]

all parts, but the back legs, have been given their coat of kona. the back legs will be done later tonight, after i have moved all of the other parts to a safe location. then, its on to the shellac...

 

[Dan Noren]

with the back legs out of the way, the shellac can start tomorrow. the upper back part will have to wait for warmer weather.

 

[Dan Noren]

got most of the garnet shellac work done tonight, just have to do the 4 legs.

 

[Dan Noren]

just back from the oral surgeon, had the implant put in, and am slightly goofier than normal. should get the legs with the shellac tonight, and the final coats of clear tomorrow. still have to do the upper back, but they have to wait for the weather to get warmer. got antibiotics for the germs, and ibuprofin horse pills for any pain. naptime!

 

[Dan Noren]

got myself moving again, and got the garnet shellac on the long, and short legs. hopefully it will be nice enough to head over to the shop, and cut the mortises in the top back parts, so i can sand, and finish those. once those are done, i can assemble the framework of the first finished chair.

 

[Dan Noren]

all of the parts have gotten their coat of clear shellac (3# cut from zinsser). as it is warmer today (45 degrees), i'm going to drill the mortises in the upper back parts, a quick light sanding, and start the finishing process. once the first one is assembled, i can fit it out with supports for the seat cushion, and make the seat cushion, and drop it in place. that should keep the wife happy. since it will be really nice out this weekend, i can start work on the rest of the chairs.

 

[Dan Noren]

last errand of the day. drilled the mortises, and sanded them smooth. now it is nap time, then i will start the finishing process. the nicest looking one goes on the chair with the finished parts. 50 degrees today.

 

[Dan Noren]

got the coat of cognac on the backs, and just waiting for them to dry, so that i can get the coat of kona applied.

 

[Dan Noren]

now with the kona applied, it is time to let it set for a couple of days to dry, and then the garnet shellac.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

The color is looking good!

 

[Dan Noren]

since it was very dry, i decided to apply the 2 coats of garnet shellac. only the coat of clear shellac to go, then assembly can begin.

 

[Jim DeLaney]

Just curious as to why you use the clear over the garnet. Seems unnecessary.

 

[Dan Noren]

personal choice jim. that's the way i did the test runs, 1 coat cognac, 1 coat gel stain, 2 coats garnet, and 1 coat clear. the clear seems to make it pop a little bit more. i did the clear coat, and when a few hours had passed, i did a quick test assembly. couldn't get a good pic though. when i do the table top, it will be the same, but instead of clear shellac, i will use a dewaxed shellac seal coat, before applying the poly.