Before staining, scrape off any surplus glue, for stain will not adhere to glue and a white spot will be the result of failing to remove it. Fasten cleats to the front and back rails with screws. To these cleats fasten the slats as shown in the drawing. A cushion of Spanish leather, such as is shown in the photograph, can be bought at the furniture store or the upholsterer's. It can be made by the amateur quite easily, however. The two parts are fastened together with leather thongs and the filling is of hair or elastic felt. A cushion for the back might well be provided.
To finish the wood to match a brown leather proceed as follows: With a cloth or brush, stain the wood with brown Flemish water stain diluted by the addition of four parts of water. When this has dried, sandpaper smooth, using No. 00 paper held on the tips of the fingers. Apply a dark brown filler. When this has flatted, i. e., when the gloss has disappeared, which will be in the course of ten or fifteen minutes, wipe off clean with excelsior and then with waste or a cloth. Allow this to dry over night, then apply two or three coats of wax. Polish each coat with a flannel cloth by briskly rubbing it.
A settle can be made after this design by using longer front and back rails. Rails 42 in. between shoulders will make a good length for a settle.
HOW TO MAKE AND FINISH A MAGAZINE STAND
For the magazine stand shown herewith there will be needed the following pieces:
- 1 top, 7/8 in. by 15-1/2 in. by 16-1/2 in.
- 1 shelf, 7/8 in. by 11-1/2 in. by 12-1/2 in.
- 1 shelf, 7/8 in. by 12-1/2 in. by 14-3/4 in.
- 1 shelf, 7/8 in. by 13-1/2 in. by 16-1/2 in.
- 2 sides, 7/8 in. by 14-1/2 in. by 33-1/2 in.
- 1 brace, 7/8 in. by 3-1/4 in. by 17 in.
- 1 brace, 7/8 in. by 2-1/2 in. by 11-1/2 in.
- 6 braces, 7/8 in. by 2 in. by 2 in.
Order these pieces mill-planed on two surfaces to the thickness specified above and also sandpapered. Quarter-sawed white oak makes the best appearance of all the woods that are comparatively easy to obtain. Plain sawed red or white oak will look well but are more liable to warp than the quarter-sawed. This is quite an element in pieces as wide as these.
Begin work on the sides first. Plane a joint edge on each and from this work the two ends. The ends will be square to the joint edge but beveled to the working face. A bevel square will be needed for testing these beveled ends.