Based on discussion with some of the woodworkers on /r/woodworking, I opted to forego the pre-stain conditioner.
I went again and stained the entire back rest with the dark walnut gel stain.
Doesn’t look like Dark Walnut on most of the pieces though, eh? This is because, as I mentioned before, all the wood was second-hard from a friend of a friend’s bookshelf. I’m not sure if he had stained it previously or it was just the natural aging of the wood, but the color of most of it wood was significantly darker and had a bit of an orange hue versus fresh pine. I do like the way the dowels absorbed more stain and are contrasting nicely.
Even after liberal (and I mean liberal, most of this project has been spent sanding) with 80 grit, I was unable to completely get rid of all traces of whatever was applying that orangey hue. This is where a thickness planer would have come in handy!
Oh well. I think it looks alright so far. Next step, stain the seat. Then 4-5 coats of poly, sanding with 400 grit in between coats.
-- Tim Bridge, Northern NJ, “All my life, I’ve had one dream: to achieve my many goals.”
2 comments so far
Monte Pittman
home | projects | blog
30678 posts in 3800 days
#1 posted 05-24-2014 10:45 PM
Looking good. You’ll be sitting in it soon.
-- Nature created it, I just assemble it.
TimBridge
home | projects | blog
60 posts in 3035 days
#2 posted 05-25-2014 04:58 AM
Thanks, Monte! I get more and more anxious as the days go by. I’ve already picked up another set of lumber for two more since my father now wants to build one as well. I figured I would show him how as I built another one with him.
He’ll get to take his home and I’ll have two at my house: one for me and one for the fiancee.
Next project on the list is ottomans for them!
-- Tim Bridge, Northern NJ, “All my life, I’ve had one dream: to achieve my many goals.”
Have your say...