08/25/2026
My latest build was for me. :) A low/longer red oak bookshelf to fill this corner.
My notes and thoughts:
It probably cost 5x the price to build this vs. what I could have bought. But I built it and judging by the pine CD rack and bookshelf I built in the early 90s that are still solid as a rock, this red oak shelf will outlast everyone alive today.
There are like 4349834 ways to build a shelf. This was one of them. Probably not the best way but it is beyond solid. Completely red oak ply, veneer and boards (except for 2 hidden pine boards in the base.
Wood is INSANELY expensive. I mean crazy expensive! Especially anything beyond pine/poplar (even those are stupid).
It is so far from perfect. There are at least 3 major things and 20 minor things wrong with it...and as the builder, every one of them screams at me!
Lesson Learned. I am not good at staining. This is my second fail in that department, although this one wasn't entirely my fault. I started to just leave this natural and add a coat of poly. I 100% should have done that!
I tried Minwax one step special walnut because i wanted a darker color and it pretty much ruined the finish despite multiple tries with it. Streaks, dark spots and drips.
Part of it is on me as I wasn't thinking and stained it in the driveway in the direct sun which I shouldn't have done. I ended up having to go with a "shabby chic" worn look where I just left it partially sanded. It's not terrible but not what I was going for at all. The top is mostly okay and I didn't sand it back but it has definite imperfections as well.
Despite the cost, frustrations and vast imperfections, I'm happy with it. :-) I built it to my own specs, I successfully pivoted as much as I could when things went sideways, and I got it into the house without it falling apart (actually I think an elephant could jump on it and it'd be fine).
Not perfect but I'm happy with it!
