Reply To: Triangular Shelf
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Thanks David I’m trying to get my head around what you said maybe cause it’s late my mind is not ticking over faster enough. If I had Paul’s talent not to need a shooting board that would be great but even the slightest degree like I have done today will not allow the three points to come together to form a snug fit.
To answer your other questions I did scrub inside as well, I have tried on test pieces first at varying depths. I have found that firstly the blade must be sharp razor sharp and the passes must be fairly shallow both will avoid a certain amount of tearout. I used pine and pine is generally an easy board to plane, avoid timber that is known not to behave. Try first on some test pieces at various depths and see what looks good to you.
I did hand sand both sides and inside the scallops as well, I felt with the tips of my fingers where the rough spots were. Avoid using sanding machines as you will flatten those ridges and destroy the look and don’t press down hard as well as this too will depress those ridges just go over it lightly and get in with your fingers into those scallops you can press as hard as you want but there’s no need for that anyway. Also if you want a really silky smooth finish go through all the grits 150-400 will give a nice finish for semi gloss go all the way to 2000 but now your entering the burnishing stage which will not suit your case.
I did angled rabbets and yes because of the scallops some gaps are showing but they aren’t very deep and it isn’t a concern. Because this shelf is supposed to be of rustic appearance I wasn’t concerned about making a mess in fact I was trying hard to make a mess as much as it did hurt me to do so, but what I’m getting at your piece will be a bookshelf and I think it will look so much better if you texture the outside only. This way if you decide to use dadoes you won’t have gaps showing. Also the appearance will be some what organic that’s something else I’m trying to learn.
Lastly avoid using shellac on this I’ve used it on the shelf and it doesn’t have that appeal I was so much after maybe if I sanded it real smooth who knows. The look I’m refering to and would most definitely suit you case and mine is the same look you’ll find on Sam Maloof’s rocking chairs. Unfortunately he never released his method of application to the public and so he took it to his grave but I’m sure some one out there knows exactly what he did but that’s the look I’m after. I’ve been trying to replicate that look for tha last two years.