Hi everyone

My name is Mike and I live in Midlothian Va. I've been woodworking for 25 years and my specialty is Intarsia Art but I also do other types of ww including small custom furniture, furniture repair and restoration and other small custom woodworks. I like a good challenge and like to add an artistic flair to most of my work. My most recent commission is the production of this custom knife block which I am doing for a client who ordered 40 of these to give to his customers for Christmas presents.

I look forward to hearing from all of you and will become an active member here.

Thanks

Mike Mathieu

Made from walnut, cherry and maple

I'll post more pics of my work soon

Nice work Mike and welcome to The Patriot Woodworker.

 

Mark

 

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Good, Better, Best never let it rest
Till your Good is Better and your Better is Best.

Hey Mike, now those are nice! And to make it better, you get to make 40 of these! A nice Christmas present for your clients clients, and some well deserved Christmas money for you and your gang! I do love those, very unique. Thanks for coming aboard Mike.

 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Welcome Mike, The knife block is beautiful, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work! I have a friend that loves to do intarsia, and I have been trying to get him to join this group too!

 

Snookie, Jasper, GA

Nice work Mike. Those look very nice. bob

 

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Bob Kloes
www.bobkloes.com

Hi Mike, good to see you here. 

Mike

Welcome. Very nice knife block. Very unique too. Congrats on the commission work.

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Love the wood combinations/colors, Mike!

 

Lew

Thanks everyone for the comments and the warm welcome. After checking out the different forums and looking at all of the fine work that you all do, I know that I will enjoy becoming part of the Patriot family.

 Mike

www.midlothianwoodworks.com

I like that Mike, Patriot Family. Thanks for coming aboard.


Mike Mathieu said:

Thanks everyone for the comments and the warm welcome. After checking out the different forums and looking at all of the fine work that you all do, I know that I will enjoy becoming part of the Patriot family.

 Mike

www.midlothianwoodworks.com

 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Mike I love the knife block. That is great and congratulations on the commission.

 

 

 

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Very nice work Mike.

Welcome to the forums.

How do you cut the knife slots?

Larry

Thanks for the comments everyone

To Larry-- the slots were cut out using a #5 blade on the scrollsaw. The stock is 3/4" thick

Hi Mike,

Welcome to this friendly forum.

Love the knife block.

I was wondering what finish you use.  I have made a dovetail joint with ripple maple and rosewood only to find that the colour from the rosewood 'bleeds'. 

Would your method be a trade secret?

thanks

Alan

Hi Alan

I use Wipe-on poly for my finish.

I begin by doing all of my sanding to 320 grit then apply a coat of poly and wipe off. After the poly dries (several hours) I sand with 400 grit and apply another wipe on coat with a rag. Let cure (24 hours)  then lightly buff with 4/0 steel wool and apply the next coat using a foam brush (allow to cure for 24 hours) buff with 4/0 steel wool and apply 2 more coats.  After poly is cured (48 hours) I buff with a cotton rag and apply a coat of furniture polish.

 What kind of finish did you apply to the rosewood? What kind of rosewood? I have worked with quite a few rosewoods and have never had the color bleed. Cocobolo being the exception( must be cleaned with mineral spirits before applying any finish especially lacquer.

 

Mike

Any time you are mixing woods you should ALWAYS make a test piece. Finish the piece the same way as your project and then test your finish on it. I have had many different types of wood give me different then expected results. I found this method to be predictable leading to a fool proof finish of a great work.

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Hi Mike and Wayne

Thanks for the replys

Mike

I will use some wipe on Poly.  

From you have said the problem lies with the rosewood that i was using, Cocobolo.

I will try some other rosewoods and give them a go because the contrast is really beautiful.

Thanks again

Alan

 

Alan

Keep us posted on your progress. I'm sure you are not alone in this situation and others can learn by following along also.

 

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Wayne,

sure will

Alan