Cherry Chippendale Handkerchief Table - Finishing and Complete - Part 8

I am in the home stretch now with just attaching the top, sanding and finishing the table.

Most amateur woodworkers dread the finishing because it is the last chance to screw up the whole project.  This is true for most of us because we don't get enough practice finishing.

Once I made a chair and put a water based dye on it which turned out terrible, it was so bad that I bleached the color off and started all over again.  It was a learning experience as was this table.

First I attached the table top and removed it for finishing, that way it could be easily attached when it was completed.
I made glue blocks and glued them to the inside of the table base.  I put counter sunk holes in the blocks which were larger than the screws.  This will leave some room for the top to expand and contract to help avoid cracking.

 Now that the construction is complete. I sanded everything to 180 grit and then wet down the table with warm water to raise the grain.  Then I sanded off the fuzzies  with 220 grit sand paper.

Then I applied 2 coats of Charles Neil's pre-color conditioner.  This reduces the blotching of the dye.

Then I applied a water based dye and let it dry. It was too dark, so I took a wet rag and wiped down the table until I got the color that I wanted.  Since it is water based, by applying water it kept getting lighter.  The challenge was to get an even color.

Here is how it looked after applying one coat of Waterlox.  The color balance of the photo could be better.

This photo is after three coats of Waterlox and the color is looking much better.  I can only apply one coat per day.  So this process takes awhile.

Here I am sanding between each coat.  I remove the dust nubs from the finish each day with 600 grit sand paper. I use it dry at this point.   Very lightly sand.  I use 0000 steel wool on the curved surfaces like the ball & claw feet.

Applying the next coat with a rag.  I apply just thin coats of finish, that way it does not run or pool on the surface.

There we have it after 8 coats.  It is a bit too shiny now.  I will have to wait for the finish to cure about a week. Then rub it out is 600 grit wet sand paper on the flat surfaces and 0000 steel wool on the curved.  Then a coat of wax and it will be complete.

Now to start planning for the next project.
Here is today's video: