Wood|woodbourneshop.com
Mar
15
Filed Under (Hobbies) by wood
anonymous asked:
ing is a special craft. It requires extreme patience that could flourish with a fine imagination. If you decide to become a wood carver, you’ll have several styles to choose from. You could use just a piece of wood and a small knife. Or you could go so far as using power tools. So how can you know which style is best for you?
There are five main styles of woodcarving. Each style is distinctly different from the other. These styles are whittling, chip carving, relief carving, intaglio carving and carving in the round.
?Whittling. Whittling involves the removal of pare shavings or bits of wood with a cutting blade. It is the simplest form of wood carving, but not actually the art of wood carving. This is a significant distinction because whittling is, and should always be, very simple. A piece of wood and a knife are all you require. And because it is so simple, whittled objects don’t have much detail, as is the case in all other styles of wood carving.
When you’re holding a whittled object in your hand, you absolutely know it. Each knife stroke is clearly seen. It remains as simple as when it began centuries ago, during the time of cavemen. Isn’t that amazing?
?Chip Carving. Chip carving involves the use of several knives to remove small pieces of wood (chips) from a flat wood surface. These are specially made chip knives that are used to push or pull at the wood, cutting upwards or downwards to free each chip.
Chip carving has become so popular that it is now its own art form. The main technique is to chip varying triangular shapes from the wood. This creates complex patterns that are often geometric in nature. Free form lines are regularly used to accentuate these chipped patterns. You could really let your imagination go.
?Relief Carving. In this style of wood carving, designs are cut in 3-dimensional fashion onto a flat back cut of wood. These are the wood carvings you see on walls or sitting on tables or surface tops.
There are two types of relief carving. A low relief carving is identifiable by the visual effect that is created. Without shadows to imply deep carving, the product appears very shallow and is thus considered low relief. In high relief carvings, a spectacular depth effect is created by the addition of shadows throughout. Both types result in carvings with good dimension and detail. The end product is polished to create a very smooth surface. Then it may be painted, waxed or varnished.
?Intaglio Carving. This style of wood carving is very similar to relief carving. But instead of looking as though it is above the wood surface, it looks as if it is part of the wood. The designs are below the suface because they are carved deep into the wood. Think of old wooden rolling pins. Remember the cute little pictures that were carved into it? That’s intaglio carving.
Many furniture makers really like the style of intaglio carving. It has come so far as to be fitted for a blank space, carved separately and then inserted into the furniture. How about that? It can even be found in dining tables and in bedroom furniture. It’s wonderful for wood paneling. You can even see it in specialty plaques, as part of an existing decorative item or as the actual surface of coffee tables and end tables.
?Carving In The Round. This is the most advanced style of wood carving. The product can be viewed from all sides with a full and easy view of all details. It is carved out of the wood and its base serves as a supporting platform or as a pedestal. The carving could be a person, an animal or a landscapenearly anything you can imagine. It could be life-sized or to scale. The sky is almost the limit with carving in the round.
This style of carving requires quite a number of tools. A variety of knives, gouges and chisels are a bare minimum. The use of power tools is not surprising and often expected. The final product then is usually quite spectacular. Oftentimes, a product of carving in the round is easily mistaken for a porcelain creation. The details are that impressive.
Wood carving has been around since the days of cavemen. With time, it has become quite an impressive art to behold. It’s very relaxing, often exhilarating and extremely satisfying. If you’re looking for a hobby, wood carving could be just what you’re looking for.
refinishing wood
ing is a special craft. It requires extreme patience that could flourish with a fine imagination. If you decide to become a wood carver, you’ll have several styles to choose from. You could use just a piece of wood and a small knife. Or you could go so far as using power tools. So how can you know which style is best for you?
There are five main styles of woodcarving. Each style is distinctly different from the other. These styles are whittling, chip carving, relief carving, intaglio carving and carving in the round.
?Whittling. Whittling involves the removal of pare shavings or bits of wood with a cutting blade. It is the simplest form of wood carving, but not actually the art of wood carving. This is a significant distinction because whittling is, and should always be, very simple. A piece of wood and a knife are all you require. And because it is so simple, whittled objects don’t have much detail, as is the case in all other styles of wood carving.
When you’re holding a whittled object in your hand, you absolutely know it. Each knife stroke is clearly seen. It remains as simple as when it began centuries ago, during the time of cavemen. Isn’t that amazing?
?Chip Carving. Chip carving involves the use of several knives to remove small pieces of wood (chips) from a flat wood surface. These are specially made chip knives that are used to push or pull at the wood, cutting upwards or downwards to free each chip.
Chip carving has become so popular that it is now its own art form. The main technique is to chip varying triangular shapes from the wood. This creates complex patterns that are often geometric in nature. Free form lines are regularly used to accentuate these chipped patterns. You could really let your imagination go.
?Relief Carving. In this style of wood carving, designs are cut in 3-dimensional fashion onto a flat back cut of wood. These are the wood carvings you see on walls or sitting on tables or surface tops.
There are two types of relief carving. A low relief carving is identifiable by the visual effect that is created. Without shadows to imply deep carving, the product appears very shallow and is thus considered low relief. In high relief carvings, a spectacular depth effect is created by the addition of shadows throughout. Both types result in carvings with good dimension and detail. The end product is polished to create a very smooth surface. Then it may be painted, waxed or varnished.
?Intaglio Carving. This style of wood carving is very similar to relief carving. But instead of looking as though it is above the wood surface, it looks as if it is part of the wood. The designs are below the suface because they are carved deep into the wood. Think of old wooden rolling pins. Remember the cute little pictures that were carved into it? That’s intaglio carving.
Many furniture makers really like the style of intaglio carving. It has come so far as to be fitted for a blank space, carved separately and then inserted into the furniture. How about that? It can even be found in dining tables and in bedroom furniture. It’s wonderful for wood paneling. You can even see it in specialty plaques, as part of an existing decorative item or as the actual surface of coffee tables and end tables.
?Carving In The Round. This is the most advanced style of wood carving. The product can be viewed from all sides with a full and easy view of all details. It is carved out of the wood and its base serves as a supporting platform or as a pedestal. The carving could be a person, an animal or a landscapenearly anything you can imagine. It could be life-sized or to scale. The sky is almost the limit with carving in the round.
This style of carving requires quite a number of tools. A variety of knives, gouges and chisels are a bare minimum. The use of power tools is not surprising and often expected. The final product then is usually quite spectacular. Oftentimes, a product of carving in the round is easily mistaken for a porcelain creation. The details are that impressive.
Wood carving has been around since the days of cavemen. With time, it has become quite an impressive art to behold. It’s very relaxing, often exhilarating and extremely satisfying. If you’re looking for a hobby, wood carving could be just what you’re looking for.
refinishing wood
Comments Off
Feb
10
Filed Under (Hobbies) by wood
anonymous asked:
has been around for many hundreds of years. All the way back to the days of cavemen. One could say that it is because we began to whittle that technology began. It was the shaping of wood, after allafter the discovery of sharp edgesthat sparked human imagination to make carts, cooking implements and clothes, weapons for hunting and methods of food gathering. Who would’ve thought?
So you want to whittle wood. Good for you. Whittling is the simple removal of pare shavings or cutting small bits from a piece of wood with a knife. No more, no less. So what does it take to become a good whittler?
To become a good whittler, you’ll need to know several things. How to choose the correct type of wood for a particular type of knife is what you’ll need to know. You’ll want to know some basic whittling techniques and just a bit about maintenance and storage.
Choosing the Wood.
?Soft woods are best for whittling. Pine cuts very easily but isn’t able to hold detail well. Basswood and Balsa are also very popular.
?Birch, cedar and maple aren’t considered to be soft woods but they are often used for whittling.
?When selecting wood for whittling, rely on two things: a straight grain and uniform color. A straight grain is usually a softer wood than crossed grains. Because changes in color usually mean changes in hardness, you’ll want to avoid this. When all else fails, press down on the wood with your thumbnail and rely on that to tell you how hard it is.
?If whittling wood is difficult to purchase, you could check your local lumberyard for a scrap bin. You just might find a treasure trove.
Choosing the Knife. There is no one specific type or brand of knife that is best for whittling. Mostly, it’s a matter of comfort.
?Avoid stainless steel knives. It isn’t easy to sharpen them correctly. Even when you do, they usually can’t hold a very sharp edge for too long. This is very inefficient and entirely avoidable.
?Most whittlers like small knives that fit in the palm of your hand. Others like pocket knives, switchblade knives or folding knives (with lockable blades) that can be opened with one hand. Comfort and portability rule.
?Special whittling knives have short plump handles that give you an easier grip and better control. And because whittling involves extended periods, this is really great for precision and control.
?Some whittling knives come in kits. These kits may have several knives, each with a different edge shape. Or the kit might have a knife handle and several differently shaped blade edges that are interchangeable. Different edges allow for much better maneuverability.
?When you’re ready to buy one, shop around. Test them out. Give yourself time to find the best fit and comfort for your hands.
Safety Tips.
?You’ll be working with a small piece of wood and a small knife. First thing then is the knife. It should be balanced and have light weight. More than anything else, it must be comfortable in your hand. If it doesn’t feel right in any way, keep looking.
?Wear gloves. Think of it this way, if you cut your hands or fingers, you’re done. You won’t be able to whittle at all until it heals. Wear them, at least until you’ve developed some real skill at handling the knife.
?Be in a good frame of mind. Or at least a reasonably good frame of mind. If you are the type of person who becomes aggressive when upset, it’s probably not a good idea to whittle at that time. (Imagine losing a finger!)
Basic Whittling Techniques. It goes without saying but you’ve got to be sure. Keep fingers and all other body parts away from knife edges. Take no chances.
?When gripping your knife, your thumb should be against the spine with the edge facing your fingers.
?Each knife stroke you make should be away from your body. Never stroke towards your body. You know you’re just asking for it.
?The hand holding the knife should be further from your body than the hand holding the piece of wood.
?Lock your wrists for better control.
?Tuck your elbows into your sides to limit free movement.
Whittling Recommendations.
?Use a wide-beveled knife edge to cut soft wood or semi-soft wood. Conversely, use a narrow-beveled knife edge to cut hardwood. When you need a strong edge to cut hardwood, the more narrow the bevel, the stronger the cutting edge.
?When you’re done for the day, clean and dry your knives. A light coating of lubricant is recommended for your knife blades. Linseed oil is recommended for your wood handles. Take care of your knives and they could last your lifetime.
?If your knives don’t already have a case, store them in a way that protects their edges. Be sure that wherever they are, it’s safe and secure. Only you should be able to get to them.
?If you decide to use more tools than just a knife, you’ll be entering the world of detailed wood carving. Just clarifying that for you.
Sharpening Your Knife.
?Factory-made whittling knives are often unsharpened. This is preferable to a sharpened knife because dedicated whittlers prefer to make their own sharpening angles.
?You can use any of various coarse grade sharpening stones or a ceramic steel to create the cutting angles.
?A diamond slipstone or a diamond pocket file are great portables for times when you’re on the go. Or you can use them for quick touch-ups on your edges.
?You’ll need a strop to remove the burr and all micro-bits from a properly sharpened knife. This will delay the next sharpening and make your whittling more efficient. If you prefer, a honing compound and honing board will also get that edge smooth.
?If you haven’t learned how to sharpen a knife and maintain its edge, these are among the first things you should learn. You’ll be more independent and as efficient as possible.
Whittling is an ancient craft. It’s wonderfully contemplative and could even be spiritually meditative. It is the journey that matters more than the end result. If you have no care to rush, if you want to take your time and see what happens, what’re you waiting for?
wood tile
has been around for many hundreds of years. All the way back to the days of cavemen. One could say that it is because we began to whittle that technology began. It was the shaping of wood, after allafter the discovery of sharp edgesthat sparked human imagination to make carts, cooking implements and clothes, weapons for hunting and methods of food gathering. Who would’ve thought?
So you want to whittle wood. Good for you. Whittling is the simple removal of pare shavings or cutting small bits from a piece of wood with a knife. No more, no less. So what does it take to become a good whittler?
To become a good whittler, you’ll need to know several things. How to choose the correct type of wood for a particular type of knife is what you’ll need to know. You’ll want to know some basic whittling techniques and just a bit about maintenance and storage.
Choosing the Wood.
?Soft woods are best for whittling. Pine cuts very easily but isn’t able to hold detail well. Basswood and Balsa are also very popular.
?Birch, cedar and maple aren’t considered to be soft woods but they are often used for whittling.
?When selecting wood for whittling, rely on two things: a straight grain and uniform color. A straight grain is usually a softer wood than crossed grains. Because changes in color usually mean changes in hardness, you’ll want to avoid this. When all else fails, press down on the wood with your thumbnail and rely on that to tell you how hard it is.
?If whittling wood is difficult to purchase, you could check your local lumberyard for a scrap bin. You just might find a treasure trove.
Choosing the Knife. There is no one specific type or brand of knife that is best for whittling. Mostly, it’s a matter of comfort.
?Avoid stainless steel knives. It isn’t easy to sharpen them correctly. Even when you do, they usually can’t hold a very sharp edge for too long. This is very inefficient and entirely avoidable.
?Most whittlers like small knives that fit in the palm of your hand. Others like pocket knives, switchblade knives or folding knives (with lockable blades) that can be opened with one hand. Comfort and portability rule.
?Special whittling knives have short plump handles that give you an easier grip and better control. And because whittling involves extended periods, this is really great for precision and control.
?Some whittling knives come in kits. These kits may have several knives, each with a different edge shape. Or the kit might have a knife handle and several differently shaped blade edges that are interchangeable. Different edges allow for much better maneuverability.
?When you’re ready to buy one, shop around. Test them out. Give yourself time to find the best fit and comfort for your hands.
Safety Tips.
?You’ll be working with a small piece of wood and a small knife. First thing then is the knife. It should be balanced and have light weight. More than anything else, it must be comfortable in your hand. If it doesn’t feel right in any way, keep looking.
?Wear gloves. Think of it this way, if you cut your hands or fingers, you’re done. You won’t be able to whittle at all until it heals. Wear them, at least until you’ve developed some real skill at handling the knife.
?Be in a good frame of mind. Or at least a reasonably good frame of mind. If you are the type of person who becomes aggressive when upset, it’s probably not a good idea to whittle at that time. (Imagine losing a finger!)
Basic Whittling Techniques. It goes without saying but you’ve got to be sure. Keep fingers and all other body parts away from knife edges. Take no chances.
?When gripping your knife, your thumb should be against the spine with the edge facing your fingers.
?Each knife stroke you make should be away from your body. Never stroke towards your body. You know you’re just asking for it.
?The hand holding the knife should be further from your body than the hand holding the piece of wood.
?Lock your wrists for better control.
?Tuck your elbows into your sides to limit free movement.
Whittling Recommendations.
?Use a wide-beveled knife edge to cut soft wood or semi-soft wood. Conversely, use a narrow-beveled knife edge to cut hardwood. When you need a strong edge to cut hardwood, the more narrow the bevel, the stronger the cutting edge.
?When you’re done for the day, clean and dry your knives. A light coating of lubricant is recommended for your knife blades. Linseed oil is recommended for your wood handles. Take care of your knives and they could last your lifetime.
?If your knives don’t already have a case, store them in a way that protects their edges. Be sure that wherever they are, it’s safe and secure. Only you should be able to get to them.
?If you decide to use more tools than just a knife, you’ll be entering the world of detailed wood carving. Just clarifying that for you.
Sharpening Your Knife.
?Factory-made whittling knives are often unsharpened. This is preferable to a sharpened knife because dedicated whittlers prefer to make their own sharpening angles.
?You can use any of various coarse grade sharpening stones or a ceramic steel to create the cutting angles.
?A diamond slipstone or a diamond pocket file are great portables for times when you’re on the go. Or you can use them for quick touch-ups on your edges.
?You’ll need a strop to remove the burr and all micro-bits from a properly sharpened knife. This will delay the next sharpening and make your whittling more efficient. If you prefer, a honing compound and honing board will also get that edge smooth.
?If you haven’t learned how to sharpen a knife and maintain its edge, these are among the first things you should learn. You’ll be more independent and as efficient as possible.
Whittling is an ancient craft. It’s wonderfully contemplative and could even be spiritually meditative. It is the journey that matters more than the end result. If you have no care to rush, if you want to take your time and see what happens, what’re you waiting for?
wood tile
Comments Off
Jul
30
Filed Under (Hobbies) by wood
anonymous asked:
is the removal of pare shavings or the cutting of small bits from a piece of wood. It is the most basic form of wood carving but it is not actually the art of wood carving, as it is done today. Wood carving requires a number of tools, even power tools at that. So it could get complicated pretty fast. But this is not how it is when one whittles. All you need to whittle are two things: a piece of wood and a knife.
True whittling has always been very simple. Details in the wood aren’t very refined but rather pretty coarse. When you are holding a whittled object in your hand, you know it. You can plainly see each knife stroke. Using sand paper isn’t an option. This is the exact opposite of wood carving, which typically excels in details. When you’re holding a wood carving of the same object, you usually won’t see even one knife stroke. It’s very interesting. Whittling a little girl could take a week when all you’re using is a knife. Wood carving the same little girl requires more tools but it takes just a fraction of the time. She’ll also have many details that couldn’t be produced with just a knife.
Whittling requires no special tools, no special circumstance or any specific type of working environment. Just you, a piece of wood and your knife are all it takes. You can whittle anywhere inside or outside your home, in a car, at a picnic, in a parknearly anywhere. This is not so with detailed wood carving.
There are quite a number of special tools that you’ll likely be using when you wood carve. There are detail knives and carving knives, wood rasps and wood files, wood gouges and wood chisels. And these aren’t all of them. (Ever heard of a sanding stick?) There’s a very good chance that you’ll probably have a handful of power tools as part of your wood carving tool kit. Then you’ll also need to concern yourself with how to supply electric power. It isn’t so simple.
You really do need a designated work area when you’re wood carving. You usually aren’t even holding the wood you’re working on. Many times it’d be a vise doing that for you so you’ll need a good work bench or platform. And with all those valuable tools around, you don’t want anyone fiddling with them. Besides the possibility of losing them, many of them are dangerously sharp and no one should touch them but you. And what about that special creation that you’ve been working on for so long? You surely don’t want any spectators scoping it out when you’re not around. Who knows what’ll happen? (Hey, where’d the nose go?)
The act of whittling is considered to be a contemplative, meditative process. It isn’t so much what you’re whittling but the process itself. Wood carving, on the other hand, is more of an end result process. You strive to create what you see in your mind with all the details that come with it. You’ve a product to produce and so you may not care to spare any time.
It comes down to a matter of taste and how you feel. If you have no care to rush, you want to take your time and see what happens, whittling is for you. If you’d like to see just how skilled you can be, how good you are at bringing out details, wood carving may be just what you’re looking for. Hey, try them both. You might surprise yourself.
laminate wood flooring
is the removal of pare shavings or the cutting of small bits from a piece of wood. It is the most basic form of wood carving but it is not actually the art of wood carving, as it is done today. Wood carving requires a number of tools, even power tools at that. So it could get complicated pretty fast. But this is not how it is when one whittles. All you need to whittle are two things: a piece of wood and a knife.
True whittling has always been very simple. Details in the wood aren’t very refined but rather pretty coarse. When you are holding a whittled object in your hand, you know it. You can plainly see each knife stroke. Using sand paper isn’t an option. This is the exact opposite of wood carving, which typically excels in details. When you’re holding a wood carving of the same object, you usually won’t see even one knife stroke. It’s very interesting. Whittling a little girl could take a week when all you’re using is a knife. Wood carving the same little girl requires more tools but it takes just a fraction of the time. She’ll also have many details that couldn’t be produced with just a knife.
Whittling requires no special tools, no special circumstance or any specific type of working environment. Just you, a piece of wood and your knife are all it takes. You can whittle anywhere inside or outside your home, in a car, at a picnic, in a parknearly anywhere. This is not so with detailed wood carving.
There are quite a number of special tools that you’ll likely be using when you wood carve. There are detail knives and carving knives, wood rasps and wood files, wood gouges and wood chisels. And these aren’t all of them. (Ever heard of a sanding stick?) There’s a very good chance that you’ll probably have a handful of power tools as part of your wood carving tool kit. Then you’ll also need to concern yourself with how to supply electric power. It isn’t so simple.
You really do need a designated work area when you’re wood carving. You usually aren’t even holding the wood you’re working on. Many times it’d be a vise doing that for you so you’ll need a good work bench or platform. And with all those valuable tools around, you don’t want anyone fiddling with them. Besides the possibility of losing them, many of them are dangerously sharp and no one should touch them but you. And what about that special creation that you’ve been working on for so long? You surely don’t want any spectators scoping it out when you’re not around. Who knows what’ll happen? (Hey, where’d the nose go?)
The act of whittling is considered to be a contemplative, meditative process. It isn’t so much what you’re whittling but the process itself. Wood carving, on the other hand, is more of an end result process. You strive to create what you see in your mind with all the details that come with it. You’ve a product to produce and so you may not care to spare any time.
It comes down to a matter of taste and how you feel. If you have no care to rush, you want to take your time and see what happens, whittling is for you. If you’d like to see just how skilled you can be, how good you are at bringing out details, wood carving may be just what you’re looking for. Hey, try them both. You might surprise yourself.
laminate wood flooring
Comments Off
Oct
24
Filed Under (Hobbies) by wood
Ned D’Agostino asked:
Woodcraft or carpentry is a pastime for some, a passion for some. If you’re bitten by the woodcraft bug, then let’s say that you can prepare some of the most amazingly beautiful items of furniture out of wood. The real beauty is in your artistic creativity. Wood cabinets are a very popular project among woodcrafters for this very reason. Building a wood cabinet gives you ample opportunity to showcase your talent in every way.
Building a wood cabinet is your way of telling people that you have arrived as a woodcrafter. This is not a stool or a table. It is much more than a desk, even. It is the single largest item of household furniture. A wood cabinet is not just popular with the woodcrafter; everybody loves the look and ‘feel’ of a wood cabinet! Maybe it reminds them of a cabinet from their childhood. For some it speaks of culture and cultural values. Wood is the sign of durability unlike plywood. Wood is the sign of nature unlike plastic and steel. Whatever be the reason, wood cabinets are never ever going out of vogue! And as long as there are woodcrafters, there’s going to be wood cabinets. The wood for these cabinets can range from pine and cherry to birch and willow.
Wood is a natural choice for making a cabinet. It is durable unlike plywood which starts disintegrating after a few years. Wood just goes on and on. If you want to make a cabinet as a sign of artistic ability then you won’t want your work of labor and love to fall apart after just a few years. That’s why it’s got to be wood! More, you can do so much with natural wood that you cannot do with plywood or pressboard. You can carve wood and flute it and engrave it, but you can’t do any of those things with plywood!
Making a wood cabinet may appear daunting at first but it is not so. That’s not to say that it is a trivial project, not at all. The important thing is to get your ideas down on paper. Document every detail of the project. Organize yourself and your work. If you do that you will surely succeed. This primary documentation of your plan, your intention is called a blue-print - a project map so to speak.
Once the plan is filed, you must decide on the finish. What finish will you use? That is simple enough. The cabinet should match the other articles of furniture in the room. So if they’re all light colored, that’s the finish for your cabinet. And if they’re all dark colored then that’s what your cabinet is going to be like.
Finish means ‘varnish’, a light coating which allows you to see the wood grain beneath. But you have an option. You can paint the cabinet when it’s done. That way you have more control over the tonal effect of the cabinet. Painting is an excellent idea and does not detract from the natural beauty of the wood cabinet. Just avoid colors that are hideous, or clash with the room’s decor. If you have a friend who is an interior designer, then it will be a good idea to get his opinion on which color to paint the cabinet.
Wood is a good durable medium for artistic expression. And a cabinet is a good article of furniture to put your mark on. Putting the two together, a wood cabinet is an ideal project to establish your credentials as a quality woodcrafter. Remember, this is a three dimensional work of art, more like a sculpture rather than a painting. Consider it your ‘David’. Put your heart and soul into it. That way you will feel truly proud to say: ‘I did it!’
ABDUL
Woodcraft or carpentry is a pastime for some, a passion for some. If you’re bitten by the woodcraft bug, then let’s say that you can prepare some of the most amazingly beautiful items of furniture out of wood. The real beauty is in your artistic creativity. Wood cabinets are a very popular project among woodcrafters for this very reason. Building a wood cabinet gives you ample opportunity to showcase your talent in every way.
Building a wood cabinet is your way of telling people that you have arrived as a woodcrafter. This is not a stool or a table. It is much more than a desk, even. It is the single largest item of household furniture. A wood cabinet is not just popular with the woodcrafter; everybody loves the look and ‘feel’ of a wood cabinet! Maybe it reminds them of a cabinet from their childhood. For some it speaks of culture and cultural values. Wood is the sign of durability unlike plywood. Wood is the sign of nature unlike plastic and steel. Whatever be the reason, wood cabinets are never ever going out of vogue! And as long as there are woodcrafters, there’s going to be wood cabinets. The wood for these cabinets can range from pine and cherry to birch and willow.
Wood is a natural choice for making a cabinet. It is durable unlike plywood which starts disintegrating after a few years. Wood just goes on and on. If you want to make a cabinet as a sign of artistic ability then you won’t want your work of labor and love to fall apart after just a few years. That’s why it’s got to be wood! More, you can do so much with natural wood that you cannot do with plywood or pressboard. You can carve wood and flute it and engrave it, but you can’t do any of those things with plywood!
Making a wood cabinet may appear daunting at first but it is not so. That’s not to say that it is a trivial project, not at all. The important thing is to get your ideas down on paper. Document every detail of the project. Organize yourself and your work. If you do that you will surely succeed. This primary documentation of your plan, your intention is called a blue-print - a project map so to speak.
Once the plan is filed, you must decide on the finish. What finish will you use? That is simple enough. The cabinet should match the other articles of furniture in the room. So if they’re all light colored, that’s the finish for your cabinet. And if they’re all dark colored then that’s what your cabinet is going to be like.
Finish means ‘varnish’, a light coating which allows you to see the wood grain beneath. But you have an option. You can paint the cabinet when it’s done. That way you have more control over the tonal effect of the cabinet. Painting is an excellent idea and does not detract from the natural beauty of the wood cabinet. Just avoid colors that are hideous, or clash with the room’s decor. If you have a friend who is an interior designer, then it will be a good idea to get his opinion on which color to paint the cabinet.
Wood is a good durable medium for artistic expression. And a cabinet is a good article of furniture to put your mark on. Putting the two together, a wood cabinet is an ideal project to establish your credentials as a quality woodcrafter. Remember, this is a three dimensional work of art, more like a sculpture rather than a painting. Consider it your ‘David’. Put your heart and soul into it. That way you will feel truly proud to say: ‘I did it!’
ABDUL
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