Love the look of the top.  I just finished two blanket chests with nearly identical tops (cherry and breadboard ends).  However, I rushed the fininsh process of the tops and sprayed on a day that was too cool.  I've been dissatisified with the results and tried to buff it smooth with Abralon 2000 followed by paste wax (no wax was too dull).  But it's just to shiney  and there is contrast along the edges that I avoided with the Rotex to avoid sandthrough.

I've been on the fence about refinishing them (chemical stripper), and seeing how great yours looks pushed me over the edge for the redo.  Pics attached with BLO only followed by the one that gives me heartburn. Wood is air-dried cherry that was stored for generations before I purchased it about 15 years ago.  I'm slowly using it up.  It works wonderfully.

@DynaGlide

Came out perfect! Looks like it has some heft to it  be careful bringing it upstairs.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Some comments: pre finishing was the way to go on this one. I was able to get a nice finish everywhere except inside those X areas. That's just a tough spot to lay down smooth. I debated waiting 21 days (cure time for full hardness on GF High Performance) before clamping. I got antsy and did it in 8 days. I cut up an old t shirt and used it in between the clamps and the bench. Worked out fine.

The joints aren't dead on perfect but that's because I don't have a jointer. They're good enough that only I'll notice the one or two that didn't close up completely, though.

I was pretty nervous spraying Shellac and GF High Performance since I never worked with either before but honestly, it couldn't have gone better.

Next project is going to be the Wood Whisperer Hybrid workbench with a Benchcrafted leg vise. I've gotten the itch to integrate hand tools more into my workflow and want to make myself a solid bench. I'll be leaning on my neighbor to assist with squaring up the lumber for that.

Matt

Thanks @Rick Herrick . It is heavy. Luckily I should only need to move it once.

Congratulations - it came out great!

I made up some buttons using some scraps from the project. I had to plane down some 3/4 stock to 5/8 so I could use 1" screws. The top is 3/4" thick and doing this allowed the screws to penetrate half of the thickness of the top. I felt 1/4" into the top wasn't enough and anything more than 3/8" I'd risk splitting the top.

To install the buttons I ended up gluing the dominos into the buttons since the original screw location would've been too close to a glue line on some of the top panel joints. Original plan was to screw through the dominos in the buttons to lock them in place. I put 3/16" spacers between the button and rail to allow for some seasonal movement. Probably more than needed but still plenty of tenon in the rail mortise.







Done just in time for Mother's Day, too. I'll move it upstairs Sunday with some help.

Matt

Beautiful piece Matt, destined to become a family heirloom. Nice work.

RMW

Thank you Richard 

@DynaGlide Looks great! Thanks for posting your build.
Adding the X I think made the difference.
Tim

@rvieceli @Tim Raleigh

Thanks guys I just realized I never posted a final shot:



It has a little give in the middle when sitting on it. I'll probably reinforce that area with a 2" wide or so strip of hardwood across the long rails. Kids and wife are very pleased with how it turned out.

Excellent work, Matt!!!   

Matt,
you continue to inspire.
Welcome to the world of Hybrid Woodworkers!

Hans
PS: - and thanks for taking the time to document and share the build and the thinking behind some of the decisions you made - all very helpful!