'Mission mesquite' stuff (lotsa large pics)

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

Here's a few pics of a bed I sprayed this afternoon, and some other 'Mission' stuff I'm trying to get finished for the annual Mesquite Art Festival (next weekend, 10-12 October in Fredericksburg...come visit!).

I've been very fortunate lately to have found some beautifully figured mesquite to go along with some fine curly maple from Mike Mastin at Curly Woods.

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/bed1a.jpg

The next pic is a closeup of the maple figure and some of the 'swirly' mesquite.

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/bed3a.jpg

After seeing what the head and footboards looked like, I decided I had to spend the money and get some 8/4 curly maple for the rails, too. The maple is capped top and bottom with mesquite, and the 1/4" angle iron is inset in a rabbet at the bottom of the maple. The bottom mesquite trim also provides a ledge for the iron.

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/bed4a.jpg

I made a pair of nitestands to go with the bed...

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/nite1.jpg

Here's a corner plant stand that I think is pretty neat. The upper apron is a bent lamination of seven pieces of 1/8" mesquite, the outside piece figured. The slats on this are highly figured mesquite. I also made a cherry and curly maple one like this.

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/plant1.jpg

Here's a 20x30 oval coffee/occasional table. The slats are highly figured, and like the nitestands, the lower shelf is mortised through the stretcher.

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/coffe1a.jpg

http://www.kcwoodworks.net/coffe2a.jpg

As usual, everything here is finished with WATCO natural danish oil (for the initial coloring), then topped with Sherwin Williams pre-cat Dull Rubbed Effect lacquer.

Thanks for looking...

KC

[Bruce Page]

KC,

I know that I sound like a broken record when I respond to pictures of your craftsmanship, but what the hey!

AWESOME!

One of these days I’m going to try my hand at some mesquite.

[Jim Becker]

Wow! I especially like that bed. It's incredibly attractive with the contrasting materials...which takes it well beyond "Mission"! Great work, KC...very inspiring.

BTW, I forgot you were down in the SAT area or I would have tried to get together earlier this week when I was in San Antonio. I may get back there in early November and if it looks like I have enough time to get together, I'll let you know... :cool:

[Brad Schafer]

agree with Jim - contrasts are outstanding. very nice work,

b

[David Siniard]

Hey Kirk, if I could ask where did you find the plans for the bed I have been wanting to make my daughter one but can never locate the plans and is it for a queen size or double. By the way truely awsome work thanks David

[Todd Burch]

Nice looking wares KC. Hope you sell a million of them! Todd.

[George Bledsoe]

I know that Woodsmith has a plan very similar if not almost the same in one of thier issues. I built one from qtr white oak.

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

I know that Woodsmith has a plan very similar if not almost the same in one of thier issues. I built one from qtr white oak.

Right...I didn't use the Woodsmith plan, but looked at the cover picture and kinda went from there. I don't like the way they 'fake' the mortises in the plan, and prefer to cut them. This is a queen bed. All the slats have tenons, also...and are chamfered on all four edges. That got pretty tedious...especially the worrying about when the figure of the wood was gonna catch on the bit and make a big nasty. So I made one extra slat for both the head and footboards just in case (didn't need 'em tho). :D

KC

[Terry Quiram]

KC

I really like the contrast of maple and mesquite, but my favorite is the cofee table. You da man! As usual great pieces.

Terry

[David Klug]

KC it all looks great but the coffee table is just gorgeous.

Dave

[Mike Mastin]

I was hoping to attend the Mesquite Festival this coming week, but my wife's sisters condition may not allow this unfortunately. Hope that you reap tons of orders! Again super work as always.

[John Miliunas]

Good grief, KC, you're like a regular machine!!! Sheeeesh, man, it would take me the better part of a year to put out that much finery! Beautiful job on ALL the pieces! You must've struck the main vein with all that gorgeous wood, too. Very nice, indeed! :cool:

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

KC, as always, simply awesome results! All of the pieces are outstanding, but I agree with the others.............the coffee table is just knock-yer-eyes-out gorgeous. The contrast of the wood couldn't be more beautiful. If these don't sell like hotcakes, there is something seriously wrong with the folks that view them. Thanks again for sharing your fine work...........it is inspirational to put it mildly! :D

[Ted Shrader]

KC -

Usual - spectacular job! I especially like the use of the curly mesquite. (Though, have never seen any "live".) Very attractive design and presentation.

Ted

[Jim Shaver, Oakville Ont]

Hi KC,

I was wondering what you had been up to, I had not seen you post in awhile. Now I know. These are excellent works, I like them alll, I especially like the bed and the fine details, the spindles all look like you picked and placed them based on a continouis pattern.

The detail that most appeals to me in the bed are the square facceted pegs, could you please detail how you created and put them into the piece, I have that detail in mind for a set of Morris Chairs I am currently building, as usual, I always learn a great deal from your work.

Take Care,
Jim

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

Hi KC,

I was wondering what you had been up to, I had not seen you post in awhile. Now I know. These are excellent works, I like them alll, I especially like the bed and the fine details, the spindles all look like you picked and placed them based on a continouis pattern.

The detail that most appeals to me in the bed are the square facceted pegs, could you please detail how you created and put them into the piece, I have that detail in mind for a set of Morris Chairs I am currently building, as usual, I always learn a great deal from your work.

Take Care,
Jim

Thanks for the kind words, Jim and all. The plugs are cut from ebony pen blanks (Woodcraft)... a package of 10 blanks is $10-12 and you can cut a lot of plugs from that. I resaw them close to the size (in this case 3/8" square), then put them through the drum sander and sneak up on a nice (tight) fit. Once the blank is squared up I put a jig thingy on the disc sander table to 'touch' the edges at a 45 degree angle for the chamfer at the top of the plug on both ends of the blank, then cut the 3/8" (or whatever length is needed) off both ends at the bandsaw. Then I take the blank back to the disc sander and use the edge of the table as a guide to square up the ends again, put the chamfers on, and cut 'em off. Takes about a minute for each pair once you get the hang of it. By starting with 4 or 5 blanks, you can knock out quite a few plugs in short order. I've gotten to where I can work with each blank until it's about 1" long, then my fingers start telling me I'm getting too close to the disc. :eek:

The important thing about square plugs is to remember to cut the holes before you've got the piece put together. Don't ask me how I know that!

I also use these pen blanks for round plugs when necessary.

The nitestands have been done for quite some time, but the rest of this stuff is just from the last couple weeks. I've just been covered up with the 'usual' tables and chairs and such. I also just finished up a Shaker type cherry quilt stand the other day and a mesquite Mission rocker this afternoon. I'm about halfway done with a Shaker three legged pedestal base for a chessboard that I intend to finish up tomorrow...then I think I'll rest for a couple days before the show. Or maybe I'll turn a few bowls...I sell those real cheep and hardly ever bring any home. :)

KC