Author Topic: Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc? (Read 231489 times)

rgdot · « **Reply #250 on:** July 21, 2018, 08:53 PM »

Light one, larger pieces being dark make a room look .... well dark

cranioscopical · « **Reply #251 on:** July 21, 2018, 10:20 PM »

+1 for lighter, especially in a hallway.

Ath · « **Reply #252 on:** July 22, 2018, 03:10 AM »

I'd go for the lighter color. It'll get a little darker when the second coat is applied, and probably a bit more when the protective finish is added, again in 2 layers. And most likely it wil go a tad darker over time as it ages by the (sun) light. Plus, if you dislike the light color, you can darken it later, that's not possible when starting with the dark color.
Long story short: lighter looks nicer.

mouser · « **Reply #253 on:** July 22, 2018, 03:28 AM »

Reading the comments so far about color is like reading my mind.

I did a test of putting the darker stain on top of the lighter, and it looks just fine, SO my plan is to stain the entire thing the lighter color, and then spend a day with it and see how I like it. If it clashes too much with the color of the mirror and floor or seems to orangey, I will put the dark stain on top.

f0dder · « **Reply #254 on:** July 22, 2018, 05:10 AM »

I prefer the original, non-stained color, to be honest.

The two color samples you're showing remind me of furniture in old people's homes - so dark and brooding

mouser · « **Reply #255 on:** July 22, 2018, 05:14 AM »

The two color samples you're showing remind me of furniture in old people's homes - so dark and brooding

I think it needs to be stained, but a more natural yellow would be an option, if I had such a dye available.

wraith808 · « **Reply #256 on:** July 22, 2018, 12:02 PM »

The two color samples you're showing remind me of furniture in old people's homes - so dark and brooding

I think it needs to be stained, but a more natural yellow would be an option, if I had such a dye available.
-mouser (July 22, 2018, 05:14 AM)

Could you just stain it for protection rather than decoration/coloring? Like using Minwax or Defy or any of the other clear protective coats?

mouser · « **Reply #257 on:** July 22, 2018, 12:06 PM »

Sorry, what I meant was -- there is no technical reason to have to stain it, but staining really adds depth, even if it's a very light color, because it creates some interesting shading differences in different parts of the wood, which help make it look good after you put the topcoat on. Without a stain the wood looks a bit unfinished to my eyes.

mouser · « **Reply #258 on:** July 23, 2018, 08:00 AM »

First coat of urethane is on.. Let the fumes begin.

wraith808 · « **Reply #259 on:** July 23, 2018, 08:24 AM »

Sorry, what I meant was -- there is no technical reason to have to stain it, but staining really adds depth, even if it's a very light color, because it creates some interesting shading differences in different parts of the wood, which help make it look good after you put the topcoat on. Without a stain the wood looks a bit unfinished to my eyes.
-mouser (July 22, 2018, 12:06 PM)

Ah, I get what you mean. And I get the problem also- on my smaller projects, I always stain them for that reason. This just seemed to actually look good unstained.

mouser · « **Reply #260 on:** July 23, 2018, 08:44 AM »

It's largely an individual style issue too -- some people like the look of natural wood. My father made stuff (benches, bookcases, etc.) and I don't think it ever occurred to him to go through all the hassle of staining and finishing just for appearance -- he just left the wood raw.

When I built my wall of bookcases the idea of staining them did not even occur to me, I just painted them white, which seems to me the most practical and best bang for the buck approach. Looks good, protects, and hides problems.

It's only recently that I've started expending the effort to build stuff well enough to warrant staining, and taken the time to find a staining (aniline dye) and finishing method (wipe on poly) that I can pull off to my satisfaction. To me the smooth glassy feel of the polyurethane finish is very satisfying, as is the feeling of accomplishment when you take something to a high degree of finesse.

mouser · « **Reply #261 on:** July 24, 2018, 08:52 PM »

4 of 8 coats have been applied.
To the cabinet and to my lungs.

tomos · « **Reply #262 on:** July 25, 2018, 07:25 AM »

4 of 8 coats have been applied.
To the cabinet and to my lungs.
-mouser (July 24, 2018, 08:52 PM)

get out as much as you can :-/

mouser · « **Reply #263 on:** July 26, 2018, 05:15 PM »

The 8th and final coat has been applied (6 coats of semigloss, and final 2 of satin, the final finish).
(This wipe-on poly needs lots of coats but it's quite forgiving).

Now I just had to wait for it to try, attach legs + back, and I'll post some photos this weekend.

mouser · « **Reply #264 on:** July 27, 2018, 01:58 PM »

All done. Here are some photos:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

wraith808 · « **Reply #265 on:** July 27, 2018, 02:58 PM »

I would not have known if not for the progress pictures that this was not store-bought. Great job!

do you take commissions

mouser · « **Reply #266 on:** July 27, 2018, 03:09 PM »

Thanks.

One of the differences between a professional/natural and a hobbyist like me, is it takes me ridiculous amounts of inefficient time and wasted energy and materials to build something like this, and the imperfections are easy to see if you look closely.

The only recompense is the fun of learning how to do something new, and designing something of your own which is just the right size.

Deozaan · « **Reply #267 on:** July 27, 2018, 03:27 PM »

That looks really nice!

I'm curious about the placement of the feet. I would expect them to be almost flush with the outside corners, and maybe an extra one or two near the center. Why did you choose to place them the way you did?

tomos · « **Reply #268 on:** July 27, 2018, 03:36 PM »

Looking lovely mouser!
I see what you mean about the stain bringing out the character of the wood more.

f0dder · « **Reply #269 on:** July 27, 2018, 03:51 PM »

I'm curious about the placement of the feet. I would expect them to be almost flush with the outside corners, and maybe an extra one or two near the center. Why did you choose to place them the way you did?
-Deozaan (July 27, 2018, 03:27 PM)

Better support and weight distribution?

mouser · « **Reply #270 on:** July 27, 2018, 04:52 PM »

I regret not putting them closer to the outside edges.

They had to be inset from back a couple of inches because there is baseboard trim i want to clear so the back of the cabinet can be flush against the wall.

But yeah, I actually think it would have looked nicer if the legs were closer to front and thus more visible.

mouser · « **Reply #271 on:** July 27, 2018, 04:55 PM »

I see what you mean about the stain bringing out the character of the wood more.

Truthfully I'm always a little trepidatious when it comes to staining wood.. Part of me always looks at it afterwards and feels it looks too "blotchy".
But after I build up a nice thick satin finish of urethane, I feel like it looks a lot better, at least in person. In photos it still looks a little blotchy to me.

And I'm still unconvinced as to whether I chose correctly going with this lighter reddish/orangeish stain, instead of my normal dark brown stain, but that ship has sailed.

f0dder · « **Reply #272 on:** July 27, 2018, 06:03 PM »

But yeah, I actually think it would have looked nicer if the legs were closer to front and thus more visible.
-mouser (July 27, 2018, 04:52 PM)

I, on the other hand, find the look pretty great. Having the legs flush with the rest of the structure seems... blocky, I guess. Current placement is good

And I'm still unconvinced as to whether I chose correctly going with this lighter reddish/orangeish stain, instead of my normal dark brown stain, but that ship has sailed.
-mouser (July 27, 2018, 04:55 PM)

Oh, this is the light color I slammed on IRC? Looks a lot nicer on the finished product!

If you were to pick a darker tint, I think a deep chestnut kinda thing would have been nice in that setting.

mouser · « **Reply #273 on:** July 27, 2018, 07:30 PM »

Loaded up with some stuff:

Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

wraith808 · « **Reply #274 on:** July 27, 2018, 07:43 PM »

I, on the other hand, find the look pretty great. Having the legs flush with the rest of the structure seems... blocky, I guess. Current placement is good
-f0dder (July 27, 2018, 06:03 PM)

Agreed!