Knife Display Case - WIP

[Brokenolmarine]

If all goes well, I can apply the watco oil first thing, then a resistor coat in the morning.  By afternoon I should be able to antique it.  THAT should really bring the panel to life.

[Brokenolmarine]

Had an errand to run for the boss this morning, the wife is still down with the flu.  Before I left, I applied that Watco Oil.  Sure toned down that yellow a bit.  While I'm gone the oil will have a chance to dry.  Once it does, we can get a chance to see how she looks after antiquing.

[Brokenolmarine]

Time to antique.  First I pulled the jar of Dark Walnut antique and covered the entire panel.  Not a doubt that it is one way to subdue the yellow.  

By the time I had covered the second half of the panel the first half had started to dry.  I didn't want to let it dry completely so I started to wipe it away with paper towels.  The secret here is to fold the towels and keep them flat to the surface.  This leaves the antiquing in the areas where you want it.  I worked quickly to insure the second half of the panel didn't dry.  Some people like to let it dry and then remove the antique with a wet cloth.  To each his own.  You can always add more antique back or remove more with a q-tip or dampened cloth later.  Right up until you apply your sealant or topcoat.

I am pretty happy with the final result here.  The golden undertone is the result of the yellow base, and the antique highlights all that tooling.  I don't think I wasted those days ...   The panel will be the background for the knife case, but will still look good behind them.  Better than some burgundy velvet.  (Although, that would have been classy.)

All that is left on the panel is to apply my topcoat of choice when the antique is fully dry.  Lexol or sheen.  Then wax.  I am going to work on the case until then.

A bit of sanding then assembly.  Some holes to drill and lights to install. 

[Brokenolmarine]

I settled on Tan Kote for the finish and went out and applied that finish. It looked good while drying so I moved on to work on the case.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

I was ready to do the final sanding on the case components and dug out my Cabinet Scrapers.  I sharpened a pair of those and got to work.  A sharp cabinet scraper saves a bundle on sand paper, and leaves a near mirror finish.  In addition, it's quiet, just the whisper of the scraper across the wood, and no muss or fuss.  Very little dust, if any.  It takes a bit to learn to properly sharpen them, but once I got it down, they are my go to for large projects.

Sharp ones cut fine shavings.

[Brokenolmarine]

I was almost ready for the final assembly of the case to this point, but I had learned a few lessons over the years.  I would do ONE last test assembly before glue and screw time.  I wanted to insure there were no errors along the way.  Every component fit, and there was no muss or fuss.

Looks like I'll put 'er together in the morning when I'm fresh, then move on to building the plexiglass and wood cover and installing lights.

[Brokenolmarine]

Out in the shop after brunch.  Up very early and made the hour drive to the dentist and the hour drive back.. my morning was shot.

I disassembled the project as planned and carefully remarked each piece to assure reassembly went well.    I set aside the panel and prepped the case walls for staining.  I needed to tape off any areas that would be glued or the glue wouldn't hold well after the stain was applied.  (Just like leatherwork.)  A real PITA, but a necessary evil.

I decided to continue with the use of Watco Oil, I really like it.  A great product, and easy to use.  I've mentioned it a lot, and for those who haven't seen it, here is a peek.

You wipe 'er on and let it soak in, then wipe off the excess and let it dry. Buff it out.   I apply a second coat, follow the same procedure.  Some stop here. Done.  I apply a coat or three of Beeswax, or any good quality wax.  The great thing about this is if it begins to look dull, buff it out or rewax.  Get a ding, no need to refinish an entire area.  Repair the ding, apply the oil, then wax, buff, done.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

Here are the case sides after two coats of Watco, drying.  I'll wax them, then assemble.  Once the entire project is done the project will get a couple more coats of wax.

The colors of the sides don't match exactly, but it's natural wood, they are all from the same slab, but different sections.  It happens.  I'm not concerned.

[Cattleman]

On 9/29/2024 at 12:33 PM, DieselTech said:

I would reach out to Tim Purdy at Steel Stamps Inc. He does some awesome work. 

He did my 1½" makers mark stamp. 

Really great guy to deal with. 

Nice work on the large quilted basket weave tooling. Looks great. 

I second Tim at Steel Stamps....

Very nice work. This is mine... 1 inch.

[Brokenolmarine]

Mine is due on Saturday, USPS Priority Mail.  Can't wait!  If it looks as good as I expect, I plan to make a new maker's mark and cement it over the one currently on the panel for this project. 

Edited October 3, 2024 by Brokenolmarine