HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE THIS, MADE IN AMERICA?
Ten years ago, Jurg and Sons first opened its doors. Our goal was to produce quality hardwoods and sell our product to furniture and cabinet businesses. With the equipment we purchased we are able to mill, kiln dry, and plane lumber into a finished board.
Along the way I made many pieces for our own use. The following tables were constructed years ago and were in need of a face lift. Being that they were still as solid as the day we made them, they just needed to be refinished.
Here are two of the tables that needed some sprucing up.
This coffee table was made using Black Walnut and Hard Maple. As you can see, over the years it has taken a beating.
After a few hours of sanding, the table looks like new. The different grains of the wood stand out once again. All that's left to do is apply a few coats of polyurethane.
Polyurethane is one of the most durable finishes you can apply to wood.
Book matched slabs involves cutting two slabs of wood from the same log,
one right after the other.
Each slab is cut to the same thickness, making two slabs that are almost identical. When this is done, the slabs can be laid side-by-side,
giving the impression of an opened book, hence the term.
Here we have a slab of live edge cherry.
Live edge wood showcases the rustic characteristics of a natural piece of wood.
All that’s removed from the piece is the outermost layer of bark.
The wood maintains all the rings and burls from the original tree.
Live edge slabs are most often cut to a two- or three-inch thickness.
In a little less than an hour, the beauty of the cherry top with its splendid grain patterns can be appreciated.
Sapwood is the living part of a tree where the sap and water flow.
All wood initially grows as sapwood.
As the tree ages, the innermost layers of sapwood turn to heartwood,
which is no longer living and does not transport nutrients.
Sapwood has a lighter color than the heartwood that it surrounds.
Ready for another ten years
The last piece that I refinished was this cherry, coffee table
Starting out with a 60-grit sandpaper makes removing any remaining Polyurethane an easy process. Once the old poly has been stripped, it's necessary to use a few different grit papers. I go from a 60-grit paper to an 80-grit and finish up with a 120-grit. The 120-grit sandpaper makes for a smooth surface, removing even the finest imperfections.
The mechanic must be comfortable!
With the tables finished, next up will be the Adirondack chairs that were also constructed many years ago.
If you've got an old piece of furniture that is still structurally sound but showing its age, don't throw it away just refinish it and bring it back to life.