Wanna see my latest 2 projects? (pic heavy)

[ret5hd]

#1: a coffee table for our home:

unfinished top:


cutting the legs:


unfinished shelf:


leg after 2 coats of shellac and sandings and multiple coats of lacquer:


finished product:




#2 (my latest pride, very similar process/finish to the coffee table):
a co-worker wanted a display box/shadow box for his vietnam medals and such:

unfinished box:


view of the side:


finished box:

[valerief]

1. Very impressive. They're gorgeous. nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. Beautiful!

Fantastic!

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Very nice! I envy your skills.

[Adsos Letter]

4. Very, very nice!

Are you using either ruby or orange shellac on your home piece? We used to use colored shellacs during my days as a finisher, and also quite a bit of analine dye.

Nice shop set up!

[ret5hd]

5. well, my (maybe inefficient) process for this particular finish is:

sand
garnet shellac
sand
garnet shellac again
sand again (by now it feels like silk)
multiple coats of lacquer with red dye added (for those red undertones)
multiple coats of lacquer with red and black dyes added (for those dark overtones)
sand with 300 grit
polish with rubbing compound
wax

[Adsos Letter]

6. Doesn't sound inefficient at all.

Those toning coats are necessary to get the subtlety and depth of a beautiful finish. We did that kind of work on very high end cabinetry/trim/woodwork, and also in our glazing work on smooth wall (without the waxing; although, they do make wax-like products that can be clearcoated or painted over later). What can be accomplished with wall glazes is pretty impressive.

Do you use any of the Mohawk line of finishing products?

Again, that's some very, very nice work you're doing there...and I'm coveting your shop.

[Mojorabbit]

7. Beautiful! nt

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. Very cool!!

[Scuba]

9. Very cool, and please tell the Sr. Master Sgt thanks for his service.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Great work! Do you spray all of your coatings?

[ret5hd]

18. Yeah, when it is feasible.

[yesphan]

11. Well done.

Very impressive.

[Cleita]

12. Wow, fabulous and professional.

Those are most excellent!

[MissMarple]

13. That just brings a smile to my face.

A nice break from all the romneyitis.

[WillParkinson]

14. Paul and I...

Think it's very cool.

[KBlagburn]

15. SMSGT ret5hd......I salute you. absolutley beautiful

From this Senior Airman.

[ret5hd]

17. No no no... I am not a SMSGT, my co-worker is. I made that for him.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

27. This thread made me go look up my uncle who I remember we called "Chief"

I thought he was a CMSgt but wasn't sure.

From his 2005 obit listing in AF Times:

Moyles Patrick J Chief Master Sgt. May 27

I really miss him and my other who flew missions over Germany on a B17 as an engineer/gunner??- passed away in '94. They were my favorite uncles.

For some reason, I have been thinking about them a lot lately. I regret not having to be able to talk to them about their experiences.

My WW2 uncle probably had some hairy stories to tell ( I remember bits and pieces as a child). The Chief was in VN at the end, I think. The only thing I remember is my mom said he had to "get out in a hurry on a boat" so I assume that was the case.

You really don't appreciate what you have in front of you when you are young, I guess. All my uncles and my dad grew up pretty much dirt poor but made a good life for themselves after their service - my dad with school from the GI bill- and my uncle who spent 30 years in and had a pretty good second career working in Saudi in the 80s and 90s.

[glinda]

16. beautiful

[Worried senior]

19. Great talent

you do beautiful work.

[CrispyQ]

20. Beautiful work!

The coffee table is gorgeous!

[Nostradammit]

21. Beautiful work!

Your co-worker might have flown with my dad out of Ubon. '70-'71?

[nikto]

22. Looks like a nice-smelling room

I just like the smell of most woodshops--The cut wood, laquers, etc


Almost as good as the smell of a wood-mill.

[nikto]

23. Heck, I just wish I even knew how to make a simple Parsons table!

I can carve a pretty good hiking stick though.

[mia]

24. a work of art!

Useful and beautiful. Nice workshop/studio too!

[EnviroBat]

25. Wow! Beautiful work!!!

I've always admired wood-working, and those that can produce such amazing pieces...!

[66 dmhlt]

26. Having done some woodworking w/ my 96 y/o uncle, I just want to say ...

THANKS!

Your work is absolutely gorgeous, and it brings back very pleasant memories.