Green & Green Settee Part XVI

The last element for the settee are the rail brackets.  The joinery part has already been done and they now consist of rectangular pieces of cherry:

All that is left is the shaping and installation.  A trip to the bandsaw quickly gives them a recognizable form.

 

I use rasps, files, sandpaper to smooth the surface.  There's no right or wrong - just go with what looks good.  I also round over the lip.  I install a small dowel and it is now ready for installation:

The settee is ready for finish!  Although freshly sanded and prepared cherry is rather light and brownish and can be somewhat blotchy immediately after finishing, I sincerely believe no stain can match the natural patina of quality cherry over time.  I explained this to the clients and they agreed.  I knew of one fellow who wiped ammonia directly onto a cherry table.   Afterwords it was a toxic and somewhat scary thing that had to be neutralized.  It actually did accelerate the patina process but I had to wonder if all the ammonia actually got neutralized.  Not sure if I would want babies hanging around the table.  Fuming may work but I've read that this process takes quite a bit longer.  I'll defer to the natural process of light.

I don't have a photo of it, but I made a drop-in seat out of 12mm baltic birch plywood.

For finishing I use a tung oil / varnish wipe-on finish made by Old Masters.  I've used this product before and I'm quite pleased with the results.  There seems to be a bit more varnish in the blend and they use real tung oil.  I wipe on 4 coats and call it quits.  The customer wants a more natural look so I do not use too many coats.  Then off to the upholsterer.  The last blog will have a photo of the final result.