Expert: Greg Scholl - 10/31/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Mike,
I’m going to build a 5’ high bookcase with 13” shelves and I would like to stain it, probably a lighter, rather than a darker, stain. Being a woodworking novice, I’m not familiar with the different woods. I like to see the grain and am hoping by using stain, it would really enhance the final piece. I’ve seen birch veneer ply, oak veneer ply, domestic birch, clear pine and poplar. I don’t know which of these would be best to stain and would you suggest any others? I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me. Thank you.
Bob


ANSWER: Hey Bob, of all thew woods you listed, I'd have to say I'm more partial to Oaks. They are hard, medium priced, and have strong, pleasing grain, (albeit open pored), and take stains and finishes very well...unlike Birches, Maples, Clear Pines, which can 'blotch' and have fairly plain grain characteristics..Poplars can have greenish grain, even purple streaks, and does oxidize to a pleasing brown over time...but we're talking many years. Birch is a pretty, and durable hard wood, but the plywoods are boring radial grain patterns, but it does take a nice finish, and is nice to work with...better than Maple.Hope that helps a little..I have some suggestions as far as finishing if you need some help when the time comes- keep me posted- regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Greg,

Well, I made my first ever trip to a lumber yard and came away with the pieces necessary to build my bookcase. Given the available choices I chose the 3/4x4x8 red oak plywood and had the lumber yard cut all the pieces to my specs.

I want to use some kind of cleat system(so that there are no outside screws) to attach the pieces. I’ll first attach the sides to the outside edges of the back (I’m using a piece of the same plywood for the back and by putting the back inside the sides, I won’t see the ply from the outside).
Then I’ll attach the three non-adjustable shelves (top, bottom and middle) to the sides and finally the kickplate.

I’ll use solid oak trim to cover the visible ply on the sides and shelves.
 
1)Any advice for this novice on how to make and attach the cleats?

2)Any suggestions as far as finishing this project?

Thanks,
Bob


Answer
Hey Bob, do you have a router, table saw? Typically, one would use dados, and build the carcass with standard joinery for casework like this...eliminating the use of 'cleats'..the back would fit into a groove around the back as well, and all this contributes to the strength of the case. Glue, and maybe some nails would hold the case together..anchored by the face frame on the front. As far as finish, I can't recommend the General gel stains and Gel urethane top coat enough. These products will give you a beautiful finish, with wipe on simplicity.....


http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/GENERAL-Gel-Top-Coat-and-Stains.aspx