tom wrote:

So how'd YOU do it?

charlie b

Actually the part above the piece with the drawer is not from the same
board, but just a happy accident that the grain appears to flow from
each to each. You're half right about the drawer being uneven, still a
little fitting to be done (it was put together yesterday), but that
can wait. How did I do what, cut out the drawer front? And how would
you suggest that I "pop" the grain? Tom

I suspect that it wasn't just an accident - you didn't just stumble
on
two pairs of bookmatched cathedral grain - by accident. Even if it
was an accident, take the compliment - and don't volunteer any
additional info.

popping the grain.

Normally the answer would be oil, thinned tung oil, watco "teak oil"
or even thinned BLO (boiled linseed oil). But to the left of the
drawer
you've got some grain that looks very proned to "splotching" because
it's coming straight up into the face of the board just like the
grain
on the cut off end of a board. Using the grain as soda straws
analogy,
oil, stains etc. won't go into the sides of the straws, just between
them.
But oil, stains etc. will get sucked into the ends of the straws -
and
become much darker than on the side grain / side of the soda straws.
You don't want that. Sand that area to a couple of grits finer than
you do the rest of the board. Then a "spit coat" or two of dewaxed
shellac, (half pound or one pound cut - eg half pound or pound of
ground
shellac flakes to a gallon of alcohol) the more colorless the better
- maybe super blonde or platina- will seal off the ends of the
"straws"
with a clear "cap". Very light sanding between coats and again
after the
last application - it doesn't penetrate very far and you don't want
to
sand off the "cap". When the oil is applied - flow it on, flood it
even.
it will darken everything a little but will kick up the contrast
between
the light and dark grain, making the grain "pop". Let it sit for a
while
to have time to soak in, then wipe off the excess - and keep wiping
'til a white paper towel stays white. Apply a second coat the next
day if need be.

Wait the suggested drying and curing time - plus a couple of days
- before a light sanding and then the final finish application.

But be careful, cherry is noted for its tendency to splotch. Exper-
iment on cut offs or someplace it won't show on the finished piece.

charlie b