Thread: Using different timbers in carpentry project

What result do you want for the particular project at the time?
What joints are involved?

Originally Posted by rwbuild

What result do you want for the particular project at the time?
What joints are involved?

I'm thinking of turning a table into a cabinet by putting panels in the sides and drawers at the front. I'd like the panels to be matching, if possible but the wood has quite pronounced grain patterns, so I'm concerned that it won't look uniform even if I matched the colour correctly.

To my mind trying to colour match different timbers seldom looks right. Better just let them contrast. You may pull it off if the colour is pretty dark and mostly hides the grain but without seeing what you have in mind its rather hard to make a call.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

To my mind trying to colour match different timbers seldom looks right. Better just let them contrast. You may pull it off if the colour is pretty dark and mostly hides the grain but without seeing what you have in mind its rather hard to make a call.
Regards
John

I think you're right. I will put up some pictures to describe what I'm trying to do and hopefully get some suggestions

Originally Posted by yoboseyo

I'd like the panels to be matching, if possible but the wood has quite pronounced grain patterns, so I'm concerned that it won't look uniform even if I matched the colour correctly.

You've put your finger on the #1 factor for blending: matching grain.

If all the grin is similar you can usually get an acceptable result from staining, so long as you don't mind a dark colour. Also keep in mind that as different timbers age to different colours at different rates, given enough time it'll become obvious it's a franken-piece.

But mismatching grains? .

Try to design with an eye to celebrate the difference between the grain and colour of the timbers you have on hand. If you can add small design elements from one timber into parts consisting mainly of the other, it will pull the whole look together. Things like handles or stringing. I think any attempt to match or disguise would not end well.

mick

I posted this in another thread to get an id of the wood, but this is the piece I want to turn into a cabinet. The tabletop screws off, as does the long beam down the middle.

I want to add some panels on the sides and drawers at the front. I want the panels to blend in with the frame. I don't mind having some contrast in the drawers or tabletop, but it has to be subtle because I want to show off the natural features in the wood. I can either use a different wood for the drawers or use the tabletop for the drawers and make a new tabletop. I don't want to mix woods together to make a panel - I want to keep the tabletop as it is - it's currently made of 3 boards.

Any ideas?

https://imgur.com/a/Zkfbce4