Thread: Blackheart Sassafras and NSO box

Very nicely done, and especially a nice job on the lid

I have a few large boards of blackheart sassafras just waiting for a project which will do them justice !

Any ideas what finish is best to allow the sassafras to maintain it's colours as far as as possible?

Thanks for your kind comments, Mr. B. It is the first time I have used sassafras, and was not game to oil it with Livos as I normally do, in case there were blotchy sections with that grain. My nephew used to spray furniture for a living, and he recommended the lacquer finish. I thought it turned out good with the sassafrass, but it really made the NSO pop

It'll be first time for me too. I'm just concerned about the effects of UV reducing the contrast between the different shades on the BHS. I put one of my boards through the drum sander the other day, and the freshly sanded surface absolutely pops.

Maybe lacquer is the answer. A furniture maker just down the road from me uses the Mirotone and has decent spray facilities. so that would be the easy choice.

I tend to use hard wax oils normally, but not sure what what would do to the colours.

Cheers,

Hi Joe,

That is really lovely! I like the way you’ve kept the inlay banding subtle on the top - it really plays well with the two figured woods. I’m sure your daughter will feel like royalty

To keep UV changes to a minimum you can add an inhibitor to the lacquer:

UV Absorber Additive - MIROSHIELD 3900 UV Absorber Additive

No problem with the weather in Melbourne, Joe. It’s already 12 degrees and rocketing to a top of 15 today. Where are my Bermuda shorts?

Best regards,

Brian

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Any ideas what finish is best to allow the sassafras to maintain it's colours as far as as possible?

This is with BLO and wax:

sass-blo.jpg
this is with wipe-on-poly:
sass-wop.jpg

I have also done a few with danish oil and hardwax oil - it tends to darken the colours similar to the photo above showing the lid with BLO.

Very nice Dengy. How is the top constructed? It looks like a solid panel but I can't tell how you made it smooth right across.

Thanks Bob. It is a solid timber panel that drops in to the rebate cut around the inner edges of the box rim. Beading (perfling) is used to cover the join lines around the top.
Nothing special to flatten the timber, ran it through the drum sander and then finished with the ROS to 600 grit.

Nice work Dengue. The timbers work well together, and as Homey says, the subtle inlay banding looks good with those timbers.

Nice job Joe

Jim

not sure if colour change is the result of using rustoleum clear if you can get it it doesn't seem to be affected by the sun.

Well done Joe
The Northern Silky Oak is stunning and the overall appearance with the sassafras lid is a fine combination.
Always nice to see a box opened with trays that complete the design.

That is a lovely Box Dengy. Your choice of Timbers is very nice.