"WoodRat — New Projects and Uses"

	With Beth having cut the drawer fronts, I had better finalize the dimensions. Everything is based on the drawer fronts so I started making a drawing. I am just using the extension table of the table saw, and I am not getting the drawing accurate enough.
I am still using the same table, but I splurged and bought a few drawing aids and some squared paper. It does make a difference. I can still make mistakes, but they will look better.
	I try the actual pieces on my drawing. I have decided that the outer case will be 1/2" maple and the door/drawer spacing will have 1/4" separation. I want the effect of a single piece of front wood.
Well, Beth is here tomorrow so I got working on the spalted maple that we will use as the outside case. I have planed it down to 1/2" plus a skosh. The planer leaves the board so smooth, it doesn't require much finish sanding. But, as you have heard too often, I now enjoy the finishing process. I am using the Festool Rotex 150 working from 36 grit up to 240. The internal dust collection system of this sander means I do not need to wear a dust mask — that is nice.
	At that point, I wiped the board with a paper towel dampened with water to raise the grain. Then I repeated sanding with the 240 grit paper.
I am using a disposable foam brush to apply a thin coat of Target Coatings' UltraSeal WB Shellac. I let 20 minutes pass and added a 2nd coat.    By the way, in past posts I have said I do not use foam brushes since they can introduce air bubbles in to the coating. I stand corrected. Air bubbles can be created by foam brushes but only if you use them incorrectly. First, do not wipe the brush against the side of the can — just dip it a bit and take it straight to the wood. Second, wipe it on smoothly without "brushing" action at the end of the wipe. Don't overwork it.
	After an hour, I use the Festool Rotex 150 with a 600 mesh pad. This pad quickly smoothes out the shellac sealer.
I went ahead and applied two coats of  Target Coating's OxfordŽ Ultima Spray Lacquer. Yes, it is for spraying but for this board it is easier to use the foam applicator. It sets up fast so there is little time to "work" the coating. When it was dry, I used the 600 and then the 1200 mesh screens. It takes no pressure and it very quickly becomes close to final finish.
	It is a new day, and Beth is here. This is the day we have been waiting for — to cut the many miters for our wrap around outside case.    I have put the Incra 5000 sled in place and have set it as accurate as I could. The right hand end of the wood is a test I just made to check the square  of the mitered corner. Now, Beth is doing one for her practice.
She uses the CA cement that sets up in seconds when using the spray accelerator.
	She holds the two pieces in position for 12 seconds or so.
A perfect corner. We are ready to cut the wood. Actually, if it be known, there are time like this when I can delay making the first cut for ever. I just know I am going to make an error. There are 10 miters for the case. It is a lot like doing crown molding — and my crown molding history isn't that great.