A Fun Before-n-(almost) After

This wonderful Oak Side Table has the distinctive one-of-a-kind look to it. As you see it here it has been separated from a marvelous set of twisted wrought iron legs (not shown). The legs accent the table's "check me out" features. Arranged under the table, three at each front corner and with several more along the back below the frame, they are bent gracefully and twisted (axially) into the form of musical treble clefs (if I'm remembering it all correctly) . The customer requested the oak top be finished to match his Henredon Chest and other handsome Henredon pieces found in the home.

Late last week we sanded, filled, and glued down swollen grain in the top of this piece (Uh huh, some water damage...a previous owner). It cured throughout the day and was then sanded and stained to cure through the weekend. Also, the top of the Henredon Chest (also see previous blog entry) was skinned to eliminate those (aforementioned) rings. Some checks and crazing in the front, left, corner of the chest were also glued and pressed in preparation for sanding and refinishing. Then, similar to the side table, it was stained to cure.

Here's an interesting observation...

The edges of this custom irregularly shaped side table reveal more than an inch thickness of oak end grain. To the casual observer it appears the table is a substantial piece of Red Oak. A really nice touch! But upon closer inspection that handsome end grain (that graceful "curve" on each end) has only slightly more than 1/4" in thickness. Since, in general, wood tends to expand and contract more across the grain than with the grain, modest changes in humidity make this highly decorative end grain configuration both beautiful and a bit delicate. Some cracks were apparent, and were filled accordingly before the staining process. These are likely to reappear depending on the moisture the air.

Today both pieces received a glazing coat with distressing and some prep with steel. Also, they received a lot of doting attention and cured most of the afternoon. Aha, an initial late PM application of lacquer finish and they will be ready for some nib sanding and another finish coat tomorrow. It'll be followed by some hand rubbing and a lot more TLC. (See, no more rings!)