My work and process have been mentioned in several places on the web.
Greener Lumber, LLC has a nice gallery page of Tom’s work using their old-growth, Belize river-salvaged Mahogany, as well as some very kind words on my craft and style.
At Popular Woodworking’s 2011 Woodworking In America, my Bubinga Sideboard won the JPEG Wars competition. A Veritas Small Bevel-Up Smoothing Plane was awarded in recognition. A big shout out to the Modern Woodworkers Association cheering section for their talents and abundant enthusiasm.
In 2013, Chris Schwarz’s Lost Art Press blog featured our Grandpa’s Workshop I Madonnari rendering. The original was from a stunningly illustrated children’s (of all ages) book that LAP translated from the original French.
One of my favorite sources of woodworking information and inspiration is Marc Spagnuolo’s The WoodWhisperer web site. Marc has posted a number of my works including the Bubinga Sideboard; a Wine Cabinet of Mahogany and Hickory; my old-growth, river-salvaged Mahogany Stool with drawers; our 2010 I Madonnari street painting tribute to James Krenov and a visit to Tom’s Santa Barbara Driveway Workshop.
In the fall of 2014, Marc’s Woodwhisperer Guild (subscription-based) will produce his awesome, high quality video and support for a build based on Tom’s Krenov Inspired Display Stand. This version was created with Mahogany and Hickory (Pecan). That design offers many opportunities for customization. It will be interesting to see Marc’s take on the design, as well as the other Guild members’ work as they post images of their own personal interpretation.
I love the color that deep red color that you’re able to achieve on your stool and other Mahogany projects and would like to do something similar for a Mahogany coffee table that I’m working on. What products/finish technique do you use to achieve those incredible results?
The richness of color for mahogany varies. Most of the mahogany I use is sinker material (from rivers in Belize), which means old-growth “real” Honduran Mahogany. I do not do any coloring other than my usual oil/varnish blend. I mix about 4:1:3 (varnish:BLO:mineral spirits). Typically folks do equal amounts, but that much BLO takes to long to cure in my conditions, so I dial it back. Rough mix, no measuring especially. Wipe on, wet sand (from 320 to 1200 grit), wipe off as much as possible. Slow to build, but very forgiving and satisfying to the touch. From 6-8 very thin coats. Time also deepens the color considerably. Hope that helps.