Popular Post wnaziri Posted August 18, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 I have finally finished my project that I started in 1997! When we moved to NC to start my new career, I set up our 2 car garage as workshop. I learned quickly that with 4 kids and a new career, woodworking would have to be put on hold. I did start making a walnut cabinet and only completed the main case. The piece was then moved into a storage unit in 1997 until last year. My wife called me at work one day and asked me what to do with the cabinet and I told her to throw it away. Well, she did not listen to me (not an uncommon scenario) and brought it home because she thought it looked too nice to throw out. After I saw it, I decided to re-start my woodworking hobby so I could finish the project! What a fateful decision. Since last year, I have set up a really nice workshop and have been fairly productive. Today, I put the final coat of finish on the piece and can finally say that it is finished. It is made from air-dried NC walnut. The lumber is absolutely gorgeous. As you can see from the looks of the cabinet, I have learned to develop an appreciation for the variation in color of the walnut and embrace it. While the piece has flaws, I am pretty happy with the end product. One thing I will say is that it has stood the test of time with nearly 20 year test of severe temperature fluctuations. For the finish, I used the Maloof two-part finish (Highland Woodworking). The pulls are from Horton Brasses. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Grondin Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 That's sharp! very nice. Beautiful finish. That has real character. Took you long enough lol.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Now that, is some pretty stuff man. Congrats, I think you take the record for the longest running project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thank goodness your wife didn't chunk it. Great looking piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Congratulations on finishing your project ! I like the color variations better than if it was all matchy matchy. Kudos to your wife for keeping it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Awesome job! Amazing how life brings you full circle sometimes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Very nice! In the end, I guess your wife not listening to you was a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Beautiful job, man! Love it! Wanna feel old? I'd only been driving for a year when you started that cabinet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Gorgeous!! I love the sapwood that is on the edges of the door panels. Awesome. I also really like the super high skirt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown craftsman Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Ya that's killer looking,Very good choice with boards that make up the sides. The front looks good too.? Aj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Wow. That's beautiful. I'm with you about color variations, especially using the sapwood when it looks just right. 1997? Imagine how much that amount of walnut would cost if you bought it today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 2 hours ago, Eric. said: Beautiful job, man! Love it! Wanna feel old? I'd only been driving for a year when you started that cabinet. I think I was starting middle school. Great job, super glad you've embraced the hobby again...hoping my young family won't slow my projects down quite so much though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galturner Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 I was collecting social security when you started this piece :-) I think the wait was worth it. You now now at the place to to get serious about your craft. Hopefully you will have time to make more and share. I too have found sapwood , if well balanced, to be quite wonderful in pieces. Thanks for sharing this & your story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Very nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banderson Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 That is one beautiful pice of furniture! Glad your wife held on to it, and you finally followed through! Did you notice anything you would do differently if you had started it in your new shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 That's a great story. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 Looks awesome, nice dovetails!! Glad she saved you from yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaac Posted August 18, 2016 Report Share Posted August 18, 2016 That is great, and great story too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wnaziri Posted August 19, 2016 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 I truly appreciate all the kind words and the encouragement. I guess this project makes a statement about my age. Oh well... 11 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Did you notice anything you would do differently if you had started it in your new shop? When I started the project, I really had no idea what the heck I was doing. I have learned a great deal more about all aspects of woodworking over the past 19 years. The best part about the project was that I did not create any cross-grain joints. Finally, please do not contact my wife and commend her for not listening to me. That could doom my woodworking career and I might have to take up knitting or something. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulldog Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 That's a nice looking project. What's better is that whenever you buy tools or spend all weekend in the shop...."Dear, I told you to just throw it out. If you had done what I asked.." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 2 hours ago, wnaziri said: Finally, please do not contact my wife and commend her for not listening to me. That could doom my woodworking career and I might have to take up knitting or something. You sure would have an awesome knitting shop though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted August 19, 2016 Report Share Posted August 19, 2016 Kudos to your wife for her decision not to toss. Kudos to you for returning to something that can be a most enjoyable hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaziri Posted August 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 11 hours ago, gee-dub said: Kudos to you for returning to something that can be a most enjoyable hobby. Thanks. When I restarted woodworking, I actually took into account the fact it is will be an avocation that I can pursue long after I retire from my profession, which hopefully won't be for at least another 15 or so years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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