Popular Woodworking 2002-04 № 127, страница 15

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14 Popular Woodworking April 2002

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Solid Wood or Plywood for Fireplace Surround?

I'm building an oak fireplace surround with a mantel. The mantel will have a mirror, mantel and columns mounted on a 42" x 78" oak backing. The oak backing will be wrapped with a 3" oak board on three sides. My question is, should I make the oak backing out of one piece of ^V" oak plywood, or should I use biscuits to join multiple pieces of solid oak together into one big panel?

Michael Gallo Ringoes, New Jersey

Don't use solid lumber. A piece the size you need is prone to wide swings of expansion and contraction, especially in a hot/cold, wet/dry climate like yours. Use plywood. It's easier and the veneers will be of a consistent color, making the overall appearance better. You can even use ¹/2" ply if you like.

—Steve Shanesy, editor and publisher

I Need a Kid-Proof, Light-Proof Finish

I am going to stain the oak trim and seat for a new bay window. I would like to use a finish that provides protection from kids and pets. I originally thought about using polyurethane (this is what I typically use for most projects) but I think it may be to shiny and difficult to apply around the window. If I use polyurethane on just the seat it may not match the finish on the rest of the window.

Do you think leaving the wood stained and nothing else would be OK? Or would the sun break down the finish? Would tung oil be a good alternative?

Mark

Cincinnati, Ohio

Stick with polyurethane for the seat and trim, and don't worry about the gloss. Like most finishes, polyurethane is sold in gloss, semi-gloss and satin sheens. Look at a sample in the store and choose between the semi-gloss and satin. Also, remember that oil-basedpolyurethane will yellow from sunlight. Water-based polyurethane does not yellow. By the way, you must always use a top coat over a stain, or else the stain will eventually wear off. Stains provide no protection for the wood. So-called tung oil finishes won't offer the protection you are looking for when kids and pets are concerned. PW

—Steve Shanesy, editor and publisher

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Popular Woodworking April 2002