On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 13:02:21 -0500, Chad Bender
wrote:

I've just about finished my first project in Cherry, a Stickly nightstand,
and need to determine how I will finish it. The large pieces are not yet
assembled, so that should make finishing easier. I definately don't want
to stain the cherry, and instead prefer to let it age naturally. What
finish do you recommend that is simple, unobtrusive, and that won't
interfere with the natural color change process. I've used clear shellac
on other (non-cherry) pieces before, but don't know how that would look in
this situation. Whatever suggestions I get, I'll end up making a test
board first. I'm just looking for a place to start.

The finish should be simple, because based on my past experience I have a
tendency to spend far far to long on finishing out of some crazy desire to
have things perfect.

Thanks
Chad
Chad,
if you do not need the protection of a sealed surface I would just go
with oil - either Danish or pure Tung. You can't mess these up and,
to maintain, you simply rub in some more. A nightstand doesn't have
to stand the same wear and tear of a kitchen table for example so an
oil finish with perhaps a wax rub out would allow the beauty of the
wood to come through with an easy to maintain finish.

The beauty of the piece will be a function of how much work you put
into rubbing in the oil and sanding/polishing after the oil hardens.
This is my favorite way to finish cherry.

You can check out some of my pieces on my website for examples.


TWS
http://tomstudwell.com/allprojects.htm