The floating case idea was developed from creating a danish modern credenza (to match 1950s desk) with that feature. I was also influenced by student projects at College of the Redwoods. A friend had recently attended and he would send pix of his own and other’s projects.
Lots going on in this concept piece of Hickory, Honduras Mahogany (horizontal lines), Ash (legs) and Wenge for the Buhl diamond inlay (underside of top). Ash was chosen for the legs as I was unable to locate straight-grained Hickory in suitable lengths. I had strongly hoped to use hickory for the legs, but made due with material available to me.
Two dovetailed cases float between the six legs. Cleats rest in leg notches and are pinned (fixed in front, slotted in rear) and slide into stopped, housed dovetail sockets routed in the underside of the top. None of these elements are glued to allow wood movement front to back. Horizontal and small vertical divider in large case also used housed dovetails. Cases attach to legs with stub and floating tenons.
I spent quite a bit of time pondering the mechanics of attaching the top to the cleats. During most of the build, I expected to use counter bored screws up through the cleats into the top. Clearance issues would dictate driving the screw before placing the cleats into leg notches. That approach also did not give me cleat to top preferred cupping resistance towards edges and I’d have the counter bored holes or plugs, both of which were negatives to my expectations.
For a brief moment late in the process, I considered making shallow grooves and just letting the top rest on the cleats with no “locking”. Being a concept piece for myself I almost went that direction, but then my inner wood whisperer said, “that top is gonna potato chip during one of our Santa Ana, low humidity evenings.” So the housed sliding dovetail was finally chosen.
The case to leg with back panel glue ups took some heavy pondering. Number of interlocking at perpendicular planes elements created a sequencing and balancing challenge. Great to have an assistant, clamps and deep breathing exercises.
For the finish I wiped on poly/boiled linseed oil, mineral spirits blend (4:1:3) wet sanded up to 600 grit. Six to nine coats depending on anticipated exposure of the element. Interiors and door panels were finished before glue up. A number of other elements were finished as I went along.
For more photos including the process go to: http://tombuhl.com/Gallery/Site/Wine_Cabinet_2011.html
Thanks to all who responded to WTOR forum queries throughout the build. Great community!
For anyone subscribed to this project page, Marc posted another photo (9) of this piece which was taken almost a year after completion. The legs (ash) and panels (hickory) are much closer in tone and the general look is richer. Still plenty of contrast, but not as harsh.
We generally take lots of photos when a project is first completed, not so much as time goes on when the colors tend to deeper and overall look more comfortable.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
Thanks for all the encouraging comments.
Nicely Done. Love the dovetails.
Outstanding !!!!
Nice dovetails and very welled proportioned.
I love it, it’s beautiful in every way.
Great project! I like the ‘hanging’ cab and asymmetry. Strong work.
I just took another look at the linked site and I just couldn’t get enough. I get a certain amount of visceral pleasure just looking at the various pictures and seeing how it comes together. It is gorgeous.
It is very nice, and I will probably spend a lot of time re-reading your description and just devouring the pictures. I have a question: what is the deal with the tennis shoe hanging on the clamp in the photo when you are cutting dovetails by hand? It is on the site that you link to from this article.
Frank, oh, that is the Rockler tennis shoe skin saver.
Actually, my wife put it there to save me from bashing myself on the protruding end of the F-clamp bar. Sort of a joke, but also a message. Usually, I’d have the bar inboard, but my indoor bench did not allow for that. Thus the shoe. I believe Nike has a sale on them this month. Or if you have the bucks, you can order the new $300 LBJ model.
Thanks for checking out the photo albums and mentioning it. Fun to share.
Very nice job Tom
Tom, once again you have done a great job. I am very inspired by your work and style.
Nicely done.
I love it! I am getting ready to build my first piece of furniture, and this wine rack/bar is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing it.
Tom, that’s sharp. I really like the contrast on the woods.
Wow, what a great design and choice of woods. I didn’t see it anywhere but was curious if the panels for the doors were plywood or not. Thanks!
Brian, the door and back panels are solid hickory resawn to approximately 1/2 inches thick.
I really love the craftsmanship !
I love that a couple of my favorite artists are actually my friends! Not a lot of people get to say that! The design and execution of this pieces is perfect. Subtle curves, great use of negative space and a very well chosen wood palette make this a new classic. I hope to see it soon and run my grubby little fingers all over it!! Great job, Tom!!
Vic, I always appreciate your words of encouragement and enthusiasm for the work of others (especially me).
See ya in Pasadena and hopefully, SB
Great mix of design and types of wood!
The simplicity of the very clean design elegantly executed makes this wine cabinet easy on the eyes. Well done.
Mike O’Brien
Nice job Tom. I love the dovetails and handmade handles.
Tom,
You are beyond the hobbyist level in woodworking! That piece is very well done.
Another unbelievable Tom Buhl masterpiece.
Very nice looking piece. I love Mahogany ( wine too but it’s an other story). I have a lot of African Mahogany. The piece having a nice looking also from the back, I would consider to put the cabinet on whell and use it as a wine serving table. Great work!
I had not looked at these “baby pix” in some time. Almost a year later, the contrast and overall color has mellowed to a much richer form. The early photos look harsh to my eyes now. Thanks for all the encouraging comments.
if you want to send me a “mature” photo (not THAT kind, Tom!), I’d be happy to add it to the gallery here.
Beautiful work… Love the selection of wood and the nice joinery throughout. Too bad I quit drinking over 25 years ago. I guess I could use non-alcoholic type of beverage?
Really, very nice. The contrasts are very well thought out.
Love it! I like how you stayed true to the style, but the design and overall look is very original. Exceptional job.
Love the contrast in woods and the design is standout as well.
Very nice!
WOW!!!!! Love those dovetails…. Nice contrast in wood selection as well.
Stunning! I really love it. The woods really make this project.
Did you make a sketchup drawing of this or was it mostly a “project on the fly”?
Jerry, I did basic drawings in QuarkXPress (my graphics program) to identify and play with overall dimensions and shopping list. I also, unusual for me, made a 1/2-scale mockup of poplar, MDF and scraps to further play with the concept. Then built the two primary boxes and worked it out from there. As mentioned above, many details were fleshed out as I went along. Mostly pleased with those decisions.
Very nicely done Tom. Love the floating case work. You’ve inspired me to finally get around to designing the wine cellar the wife has been hounding me for.
I like the exposed dovetails and the contrasting woods. Good Job.
I like it! Totally functional, well thought out design, and beautifully executed.
DD
Gorgeous! Reminds me a bit of a table in Tom Fidgen’s ‘Made by Hand’, really, really dig it.
Fabulous!!!
Beautiful piece! I love the way all the different woods used compliment each other. The dovetails look great.