Next Project: Arc 40 CBT Array

[Kevin K.]

I promised Tom I would shoot a video trimming the veneer with the router and cutter mentioned earlier. Figured I might as well post it here for everyone to see. Yea, I screwed up and the phone was vertical instead of horizontal so it's a crappy narrow video. I'm an amateur, what can I say. The phone was clamped to a cart and at the time it seemed the easiest way to clamp it.

[Kevin K.]

Absolutely beautiful Kevin. Can't wait to see the finished product.
cheers
-Steve

Thank you sir. I'm almost to the part that makes my shoulders knot up every time, applying finish. If I can get past that part without making a total mess of these, then the fun begins.

If anyone was thinking of making an offer for Kevin's finished pair ...

Thanks Mike. I will save anyone the trouble if they were thinking about it,

THIS SET IS NOT FOR SALE!

Yea, I left the door open with that statement. I could probably be talked into building another set if someone wanted to commission it. A second pair would go much faster since most of the details have been worked out. Even so, I'm tired and looking forward to a little down time to relax and enjoy these. BTW, the GameChanger's played a LARGE role in my fascination with arrays and I would love an opportunity to see and hear them up close. They are fantastic looking!

[Millstonemike]

If anyone was thinking of making an offer for Kevin's finished pair ... I imagine it would need to be many multiples for what these cost

[captainobvious99]

Absolutely beautiful Kevin. Can't wait to see the finished product.

cheers



-Steve

[mgrabow]

I am a big fan of shellac as a sealer before grain filling and or finish sanding...It really brings out the grain with a nice warm color...It is also tentacle with alcohol based dies,,,I did a black cherry project once. first coat want on pink. then got darker with every coat...

[Kevin K.]

I can't believe your progress - it would have taken me a couple of weeks to carefully apply and trim the veneers on those curves and angles.

Trouble is, now your body has become accustomed to this level of activity.
You won't be able to relax and listen without a nagging sense of "I should get back to the shop and build something else" <g>

You're spot on Don. I hope that nagging sense is always there, having fun and enjoying the challenges. The "trouble" is also an anxious son who is ready to get started on his project for next years MWAF. It's been tough to hold him at bay but he's handling it like a trooper. Really looking forward to the next build just because it will be such a great learning experience for him in all aspects.

[donradick]

I can't believe your progress - it would have taken me a couple of weeks to carefully apply and trim the veneers on those curves and angles.

Trouble is, now your body has become accustomed to this level of activity.
You won't be able to relax and listen without a nagging sense of "I should get back to the shop and build something else" <g>

[Kevin K.]

My thought was BLO, clear filer on the Sapele, sand, BLO, 1 week dry, coat of seal coat wash, 3M pad, seal coat wash, 3M pad, Lacquer first coat, 3M pad, Lacquer final coat. Assuming you can lay down a decent final coat I'd not rub out.

You choice but something that big I'd go with a semi gloss. Gloss would give better clarity, but the reflectivity can wash out some details. You could always PM Bob Barkto, he could give you a few more options.

I have enough time to completely test your suggestion on some scraps before having to start on the enclosures and I like the sound of it. Will try to reach Bob by PM to see what other options he might suggest as well. Appreciate your help John.

[Kevin K.]

That looks amazing Kevin! Can't wait to see them finished and drivers installed.

Thanks Derek, me either (the can't wait part). This build seems like it has been going on forever to me and to be honest, I'm exhausted. Really looking forward to these being completed and then it's gonna be a whole lot of sit back, relax, and enjoy.

[jhollander]

My thought was BLO, clear filer on the Sapele, sand, BLO, 1 week dry, coat of seal coat wash, 3M pad, seal coat wash, 3M pad, Lacquer first coat, 3M pad, Lacquer final coat. Assuming you can lay down a decent final coat I'd not rub out.

You choice but something that big I'd go with a semi gloss. Gloss would give better clarity, but the reflectivity can wash out some details. You could always PM Bob Barkto, he could give you a few more options.

[Derekj]

Nearing the home stretch now. Veneer on one of the cabinets, no finish yet. Hope to apply veneer on the other this weekend and then all that will leave is finish work, and a lot of it I might ad. Still have another week or so to play with some different finishes. Tried some Tung oil on a piece of the Sapele scrap, really liked how it brought it to life. Tried Roman's suggestion and applied Shellac on a piece of scrap from the baffles, really liked that also. I suck at French Polishing so I may have to settle on Lacquer. Anyhow, here are some pics:
The last photo is a trick I learned from Tom. Get down on the floor to take the picture, it makes them look huge. This also kind of added the roller coaster effect to it.

That looks amazing Kevin! Can't wait to see them finished and drivers installed.

[Kevin K.]

Kevin you have lots of choices but I'd do test pieces to see what you like. I did a Sapele coffee table with BLO, wonderfil, and poly, but also like BLO, Sealer, Lacquer. You do not have to French polish Shellac you can buff it like almost like lacquer. I prefer the look of sprayed lacquer finish over sprayed Shellac. I'd fear the use of colored grain filler as it could dampen the gold sheen/ reflection of the Sapele.

Hey John, thanks for your input. There are lots of test pieces in the works, just gonna have to decide which way to go. I'm comfortable spraying lacquer when the weather conditions allow down here and it's about perfect right now. Hadn't thought about the sheen/reflection aspect, your probably right. The Sapele veneer I purchased is really not that bad. It may not even require a filler.

[jhollander]

Kevin you have lots of choices but I'd do test pieces to see what you like. I did a Sapele coffee table with BLO, wonderfil, and poly, but also like BLO, Sealer, Lacquer. You do not have to French polish Shellac you can buff it like almost like lacquer. I prefer the look of sprayed lacquer finish over sprayed Shellac. I'd fear the use of colored grain filler as it could dampen the gold sheen/ reflection of the Sapele.

[Kevin K.]

Nothing has been applied to the raw veneer yet so all finish options are still on the table. I have applied Wonderfil grain filler to the baffles and will probably pick up some for the Sapele tomorrow. Since the Tung oil is probably not going to be the finish of choice, I could look at filling the grain with a darker color to add some depth and contrast to the Sapele.

In other words, I am definitely looking for opinions on how to finish these. There's a lot of work tied up in these so far and the last thing I want is a finish failure due to my inexperience. I like the shellac on the baffle scraps, just concerned about how difficult the French Polish technique would be working around all of the driver holes. Thanks for all of your input.

Unfinished Karelian Birch on the left and Zinsser clear shellac on the right. Not French polished, just wiped on.

[Millstonemike]

My first wood shop projects ( Chicago 1967 ) were finished with Shellac

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1967/05/07/page/515/article/shellac-ages-old-still-a-top-paint-industry-product

Just a few years later ... we're finishing our projects in woodshop with shellac. But my bench neighbor has mistaken the brush cleaning can for the shellac. Must have been 1/3 shellac to 2/3 thinner. Of course, his project looked the best.