This last week I’ve made good progress on the shelf and case back. Since its always easier to finish pieces when they are more accessible, I pre-finished the inside and outside of the case so that once the shelf is installed there will be no other finishing needed on the inside. I also pre-finished the shelf for the same reason. The figure in the curly maple really popped with the oil based finish. I think the clients will be very pleased with the lumber selection!
The shelf received the same thumbnail edge profile as the case and I cut the dovetail dado the shelf will slide into. A simple guide clamped to the top edge of the case guided the router with a dovetail bit to cut the sliding dovetail dado.
Before I can install the shelf I need to make the back panel. The shelf will fit into a shallow groove on the back panel which will help lock everything together. Its easier to fit the panel and mark where that groove will go before the shelf gets glued in. The back panel is made of mahogany to match the base the case will sit on. I thought it would be a nice surprise to open the case doors and see the beautiful mahogany on the inside. The back panel is made with frame and panel construction with the top panel featuring vents for the amplifiers that will sit on the shelf.
Whitehurst Custom Woodworking 