For my next project, I have been commissioned by the wife to build a matching bedroom set. Headboard, 2 dressors, maybe 2 nightstands. The wife wants the furniture a dark color (which I personally don't like, but it will go good with how the room is decorated). I have experimented with a variety of pigment stains, dyes, and gel stains on oak and pine but I don't like the results. I was thinking of using black walnut for this project instead.
I havn't used walnut before, so I have a few questions for the learned woodworkers out there.
1) I was thinking of finishing as follows: oil, shellac, wax. Any comments on this or better ideas? What is your preferred oil for walnut? What is your preferred finish for walnut?2) I will use plywood for parts of this project. Will walnut faced plywood finish the same as solid walnut? I know sometimes this can be an issue with some species, but I think it is mainly when it is stained?
3) I expect walnut to be more expensive than oak, but how much more is it? I can get kiln dried red oak for $3.50/bdft. Am I in for major sticker shock with walnut?Any other advice or opinions are appreciated. Anyone who would care to share pictures of completed walnut projects is greatly appreciated.
Frank