The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yes, oak is definitely a much more forgiving wood to work with. That's probably why I tend to purchase oak pieces more often than mahogany.

Your Chippendale looks great! I've worked with shellac in my home (it was built in 1912), and I don't enjoy it because it is so prone to drips and runs. That's why I went with a more conservative approach on my machine. I've taken a liking to hand rubbed/applied finishes as opposed to brushed ones. I get a better result.

The other problem I've noticed with mahogany cabinets is that they are very resistant to taking stains and dark colors. I find that they take the red portion of the pigments better than the darker tones, another reason I avoid refinishing.

Edisonh19 wrote:Yes, oak is definitely a much more forgiving wood to work with. That's probably why I tend to purchase oak pieces more often than mahogany.

Your Chippendale looks great! I've worked with shellac in my home (it was built in 1912), and I don't enjoy it because it is so prone to drips and runs. That's why I went with a more conservative approach on my machine. I've taken a liking to hand rubbed/applied finishes as opposed to brushed ones. I get a better result.

The other problem I've noticed with mahogany cabinets is that they are very resistant to taking stains and dark colors. I find that they take the red portion of the pigments better than the darker tones, another reason I avoid refinishing.

Indeed: I find my "go-to" technique for shellac is to use a modified French polish.

As for mahogany: the only piece I've done major finish work on is my Chippendale, as it needed extensive veneer replacement. It took a lot of work to make the repairs inconspicuous.

Bill

Yes, I definitely find mahogany a most challenging wood/finish to work with. My C-19 is the only mahogany piece I have ever purchased, aside from an old record storage cabinet. Thankfully, the cabinet cleaned up well enough with Bri-Wax and 0000 steel wool.