Popular Post Chestnut Posted February 7, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 I've lurked on the forum a bit and haven't really shown off anything that I've made. So here are 3 projects that i made between 2014 and 2015. Technically i started the end tables in 2012 and didn't finish them until 2015 but that is beside the point. Some times i start a project and sleep on it for a year or two. I most recently finished a pair of bookshelf speakers for my home theater. I made the box out of Jatoba Walnut and Maple. Internal components were from Parts Express. They sound better than they look. If there are any audio nerds in the crowd i have 2500 hz crossovers with the woofers tuned and ported to 54 hz. The Jatoba is super heavy and even at 3/8" makes a wonderfully solid enclosure. Here is a picture of the speaker on the end tables that i started in 2012 and finished this spring. I had an idea to make them entirely out of solid oak, internal floor and all. It was an awesome idea to spend a lot of money on oak that no one sees and they are super heavy. So job well done right? I hate the doors and am probably going to tear them off some day and replace them with something better but for not they work. To answer the obvious questions, Yes i don't have trim on my walls yet. No that plant isn't dying it's actually naturally pink. I have an addiction to dovetails. Here is the hickory coffee table i made to sort of go with the end tables. My entire house is filled with a hodge podge of random furniture. The hickory i made this coffee table I'm beginning to find was some what unique. It was very very wavy almost like a quilted maple. I tried to take a picture showing the grain but it's hard to show. I don't know if i even like this table any more. It's too square. My goal for 2016 is to incorporate a curve into something i make. The last project I'm going to show off is an idea i had to throw back to the cabinet radio days. I bought some ash with the goal to make a bedroom table that had a built in stereo. I like to listen to music at night while I read and most stereo systems are either large and expensive, Small and sound like butt or a combination of the 2. When i purchased the audio components for the bookshelf speakers i bought 4 sets, 2 here, 2 previous. I also wanted to do something special and make a couple hidden drawers of the side of the table to store ... items. The overall goal of the project was hidden and understated. I feel like i accomplished my goal. I also failed at getting the front drawer and door square, you win some you loose some. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beantobe Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 That is some serious dovetail practice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brendon_t Posted February 7, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Theres an EJA (exposed joinery anonymous) meeting coming up soon. May want to sign up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Nice work! There's some really cool attention to detail in those projects! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlinwi202 Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 I think those doors look alright, but you're always your own biggest critic. You now have me looking to build speakers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Nice work! The hickory table does show some figure on the aprons. The top looks awesome, though! I don't think I've ever seen so much dark heart wood in a hickory board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Nice work! Looking forward to seeing more of your pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Good work chestnut! Thanks for sharing, keep em coming ! Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Thanks for the encouraging words guys. If any one has any ideas to help me improve throw it out. @atlinwi202 Do it they are a simple box with a hole in it. Parts Express is where i get all the components. They list all the info you need. For ported enclosures just google speaker port design. If you have questions feel free to ask me. @wtnhighlander I think the top was actually Pecan. My dealer sells all the hickories together, and that top was noticeably softer than the rest of the wood. The board i made it from was 13.5" wide, I cut maybe 1/2" off each side ( the outsides) that was sapwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheperd80 Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Thanks for the encouraging words guys. If any one has any ideas to help me improve throw it out. @atlinwi202 Do it they are a simple box with a hole in it. Parts Express is where i get all the components. They list all the info you need. For ported enclosures just google speaker port design. If you have questions feel free to ask me. @wtnhighlander I think the top was actually Pecan. My dealer sells all the hickories together, and that top was noticeably softer than the rest of the wood. The board i made it from was 13.5" wide, I cut maybe 1/2" off each side ( the outsides) that was sapwood. Love the speaker boxes. The only advice i can offer is when it comes to building furniture, perhaps try building a few pieces from some premade plans. Your skill and craftsmanship are obviously on point, but design could use some inspiration. Just my 2 cents. William Ng said something about a Greene and Greene desk that always resonated with me. "It speaks softly, but says alot". To me that meant that the beauty of the piece lies in the small subtle details complimenting an otherwise simple and smoooooth design. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Wright Posted February 8, 2016 Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Nice craftsmanship. In my opinion nothing beats a piece of furniture that you made from your own design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Those speakers are killer. Thanks If you ever want to try some they are just boxes. Let me know i could point you I the right direction for components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 It seems there is some interest inn the speakers i could possibly do a standalone journal. Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted February 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 I was going to post a new thread for some other projects i kinda wanted to share but i figured I'd just keep adding on to this thread beings that i already have it started. This is my 3rd ever project and 1st major project. I built a table and a bookshelf before tackling this. This is the original project that i got into woodworking for. I needed furniture and didn't want to pay the absurd furniture store prices for something nice, but wanted something nice. Any one thinking they have a small shop, this was a space that was maybe 9' by 8'. I had to decide what tool i wanted to use and would move it from the shelf to the assembly table depending on what i needed to do. Should have done a table saw instead of a miter but hindsight is 20:20. I had to sand everything down outside and then bring the apron and legs inside to assemble because the garage space was too small and parking my car out side was NOT an option. Minwax stain and i went with water based poly for looks. I wanted the dullish white look to the unstained oak. Placed a tile in the center for a place to put hot items with out harming the wood. After putting things into practice the tile was a bad idea because i didn't glue the top and the finish can withstand more heat than i gave it credit originally. I tested it with a 500 degree pan from the oven for 30 min and no harm. It has since suffered slightly from seasonal wood movement and there are some gaps between boards very very minor. I also broke the apron and legs a couple times and need a permanent fix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted February 19, 2016 Report Share Posted February 19, 2016 I like the look of that table, but I can see how varying humidity might be a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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