Storage Chest Completed

        I finally finished the outdoor storage chest from a few posts ago. I went back and forth on the finish to use. I was intending to use this for storing play balls outside so I thought about just painting the thing and being done with it. But after planing and smoothing the top and seeing the nice redwood grain I decided to use some outdoor stain/varnish I had left over from the grill cart project. Besides, I can always prime it and paint it later but not so easily the other way around. I think it looks nice although I did leave a few drip spots. Finishing is definitely an area I need to learn more about and get more practice with. Something that's funny to me about finishing outdoor projects like this is that it looks almost too nice to be left outside, but not quite as nice as I'd like to keep in the living room. I'm sure after some scratches, a hail storm, and after the puppy starts gnawing on it, it will look right at home with all the other weathered outdoor furniture.

Now, on to the next project....

    The lumber is dry, the tools have been acquired, the heat of summer is gone. The time has come to make some real furniture. This photo is borrowed from Swamp Road Woodworks. It's a very impressive site by woodworker Joe Zeh. I really like Shaker furniture and this piece comes very close to what I've been looking for. I'm planning on using walnut that has been drying for a little more than one year by my barn. Both of my boys need new drawers so I'll see what I can do by Christmas.