DIY Network

Open Bookcase: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-603

The open design of the completed bookcase allows items to be displayed so that they can be viewed from all angles.

The final steps in the creation of the open-design bookcase include applying a tung-oil finish to the case and an ebonized finish to the base. The case and pedestal are separated and sanded, and some finishing touches are added -- including an ebonized finish using metal acid dye.

Materials:

Belt sander
Metal-acid dye
Tung-oil wood finish
Paint brushes
Rags

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions. When working with some sprays and chemicals, a respirator mask may be required.

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Figure A

Open Bookcase: Finishing Touches

• With the case assembled, and the glue fully dried, you can level the pins (left protruding earlier by about 1/32") so that they are flush with the case using a belt sander (figure A).

• Then, with the pedestal separated from the case, lightly sand the surfaces to ease the edges before adding the finishes.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C

• We opted to ebonize the base of the bookcase to provide a distinctive contrast with the natural cherry. Ebonizing simply means that the wood is dyed so that it looks like ebony. One technique for doing this is with black aniline dye, but this treatment may fade in time, especially if exposed to sunlight.

• We opted for water-based metal acid dye which is much more light-fast. Brush on the dye with light, steady strokes (figure B) to avoid splotching.

• Once the first coat is applied, wipe off any excess with a lint-free cloth and let it dry for a few hours. Then sand lightly using 320-grit sandpaper, and apply a second coat.

• Finally, we finished the case with our familiar tung-oil finish to bring out the natural color and grain of the cherry (figure C). We applied five coats.

• Once the ebonized coat has dried, brush the same amount of tung oil onto the base.

• Re-fasten the case to the pedestal using the screws as in the previous segment.
  

  The base is "ebonized" -- meaning simply that it is dyed so that it looks like ebony.

  
  

RESOURCES :

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com