Sapelle' Wall of cabinets

[Leo Graywacz]

Here is the wall of cabinets I was working on last week. I got it delivered and Mark got most of it installed. Today he wasn't there and Jack and Todd were working on it. I even gave them a hand in installing some molding. My measurements were right on and Mark did a great job getting everything aligned properly with the 2 windows. Here is the CAD drawing I used to build it.

http://fototime.com/A639269FB98407C/standard.jpg

And here is the real thing
http://fototime.com/6C246D478A2AAFA/standard.jpg

A couple of the pilasters
http://fototime.com/E15B4BD08202BE8/standard.jpg

The middle layers of the pilasters, under cap molding, bead/cove separator, upside down undercrown with a 1/4 bead layered underneath.
http://fototime.com/5988BF50F07A70A/standard.jpg

For the crown I used a molding that I rarely use. I didn't like it back then but it has been growing on me lately. on top of that is a router made cove attached to the plywood top. It hangs down 1/16" for a shadow box effect.
http://fototime.com/D19F973480FFDFD/standard.jpg

[Ray Schafer]

That is really beautiful!

[John Keeton]

Now that is some nice work!! Is it mahogany?

[Leo Graywacz]

Now that is some nice work!! Is it mahogany?


Sapelle', looks similar to Mahogany but is farker in color. Cheaper too.

[Stephan Postmus]

awesome! Would love to see a picture of it completely finish with the stain or top coat. Is it going to be a clear finish or some darker colour?

Thanks
Stephan

[Leo Graywacz]

As of now it is undecided. I have nothing to do with the finish that will be applied to this. I believe he is leaning towards natural, maybe just a tad darker. The original plan was for it to be dark. But now that he has seen how dark it is naturally I think just a clearcoat will do. There are other areas of the room that have some darker pieces of wood. It would be nice to have them get everything toned to match those.

[Jim Becker]

Wow, that's really wonderful work, Leo. Inspiring.

[Thomas Pender]

I agree that a clear coat is right, I think time will darken it. I think your joinery, matching, execution, and appearance is masterful - what a reference for the future!

[Don Bullock]

Exquisite work Leo. The detail work is very impressive as is the overall design.

[Jason Tuinstra]

Gulp! Wow, that is terrific work. Thanks for inspiring us.

[Leo Graywacz]

Gulp! Wow, that is terrific work. Thanks for inspiring us.


No need to "Gulp!". This is what I do for a living. I have the proper tooling to make my own moldings (W&H) and the cutters. I've also been at it for 20 years or so. You'll get there.

[John Keeton]

Leo, sorry for the mahogany reference - just failed to read the title containing a clear reference to Sapelle. Have seen posts on SMC on this wood, but have not actually seen any in hand. Looks interesting.

[Bill Dunn jr]

Very nice work Leo. Do you do any finishing? If so, do the site finished pieces come out with the same quality as a shop finished piece?

[Leo Graywacz]

Very nice work Leo. Do you do any finishing? If so, do the site finished pieces come out with the same quality as a shop finished piece?


I can do my own finishing. I have a good size spray room and use pre and post catalyzed lacquers and varnishes. It is rare that an in house finish will come out as nice as an in shop finsish. But it is always possible. To much open time and dust in the air to compete with the fast dry and dust free spray room.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

Somehow I missed this post.

I thought sapelle was also called 'ribbon stripe mahogany'. I made my bedroom set from this wood. It was also quite expensive. I paid $85 a sheet for veneer plywood 20 years ago and was happy to even find a source. I also had to sort thru many solid mahogany boards to find matching grain.

I finished my bedroom set with gloss wipe on poly (Formbys') which soon dulled to a semi-gloss sheen. The early wipe on gloss polys had this flaw. For a bedroom set, I'd prefer it to be gloss, but your wall system would probably look better as semi-gloss or satin. Either way, I really like the way the wood appears with the finish on it. The grain almost becomes a metallic.

Your project is beautiful and your skills are wonderful. That's going to be one beautiful room with lots and lots of character. I hope that you can post a final picture when completely finished.

Absolutely well done!...and thanks for posting.

-Jeff :)