Jin Di Sugi Cypress BGE Cart

iamnothim

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Feb 5, 2014
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Hey Guys n' Gals...
I talked myself into buying a Big Green Egg cooker.  In doing so I discovered all the different carts that folks make for them.  Well count me in on cart building.  I though that cypress would be a good choice so I picked up some 8/4 and 4/4.  Then...... by accident,  I stumbled upon this burnt and brushed finish called jin di sugi.  I thought about ebonizing it afterward until I torched the cart.  Wow.  I think just a top coat will do it.  Cypress is such a pleasure to work with.

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[size=14pt]Great finish and project.
[size=8pt]
iamnothim said:
  Cypress is such a pleasure to work with.
[size=13pt]Unless you have to sell it; together with Sugar Gum Decking, Cyprus [particularly if it is rough sawn] is a high source of hand splinters for those of us in TY sales.
 
What size BGE?
This looks like a good project to use those new domino bolts jobs.
(I guess I should search for plans)
 
Untidy Shop said:
[size=14pt]Great finish and project.
[size=8pt]
iamnothim said:
  Cypress is such a pleasure to work with.
[size=13pt]Unless you have to sell it; together with Sugar Gum Decking, Cyprus [particularly if it is rough sawn] is a high source of hand splinters for those of us in TY sales.


I have these things called bench planes
 
Holmz said:
What size BGE?
This looks like a good project to use those new domino bolts jobs.
(I guess I should search for plans)

I will get the large size after I finish the cart.
10mm dominos were great!  Since it didn't want to clamp the long spans I put one Kreg 2 1/2" pocket screw in each joint.
My shooting board produced excellent results.  Very tight, square seams.

Here's the BGE Cart Plans I am loosely following.  As in outside dimensions only.  All the stringers are 8/4
I plan on making two drawers.

The wheels and casters are problematic.  I bought solid rubber 8" wheels from Harbor Freight for the back and 4" casters for the front.  I decided I didn't want to trip over the wheels so they are going inboard.  If I do that with the casters I think the wheel base will be too narrow.  I'm thinking about ditching the casters and having some iron skids made for the bottom of the front legs.  It's not like it's going to move around a lot.
 
Wooden Skye said:
I really like the finish on this, completely changes it entirely!

Bryan,

There's no top coat on it yet.
After you torch the wood, you simply stroke it with the grain using a brass brush.  Don't use any power tools or stiff brushes.  I kept my CT26 running with the round upholstery brush to pick up the soot.  The more you brush it the glassier it gets.
 
That is a transformative finishing technique.  Excellent results!  Excited to see it fully in use with the top coat.

Poor man's walnut!

What time is dinner!?

 
Very cool finish.  You did a great job of making it consistent across the entire project.
 
jbasen said:
Very cool finish.  You did a great job of making it consistent across the entire project.

Is the consistency from the brushing?
 
Holmz said:
jbasen said:
Very cool finish.  You did a great job of making it consistent across the entire project.

Is the consistency from the brushing?

Yes.  Deftly brush with long strokes. 
You can torch it multiple times to get a deeper relief.  A propane plumbing torch is too narrow.  I bought this big thing that attaches to a BBQ tank.  I can't remember why I got it but it sure did a great job.  I should post a video.
 
OK.
Do I torch the counter tops, or go two-tone?

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A couple of tips for joining planks with the Domino.  Perhaps these are well known.... Anyway

After mortising with the domino gently shave the whiskers with a block plane.

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To make the insertion easier I shave the spline off the dominos.  I consider the dominos as reference not structural.  They still fit tight and the glue is structural.

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I apply glue to both edges.  I clamp the planks on the bottom to keep them upright and stable, then take out one plank for aligning the two.

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VW MICK said:
Nice one.I really like that finish. Would it work on other woods?

Yes from what I've seen on YouTube.  A species with harder grain will require more passes with the torch and brushing.  Brushing is a real mess.  The soft grain burn first and faster than the hard grain.  That's how you get the effect.  The hard grain stays dark while the brushing removes the charing from the soft grain, down to the natural color producing the two-tone.

I thought I'd like the big flat cut grain more than the narrow.  Turned out different.  Just my taste.
 
iamnothim said:
OK.
Do I torch the counter tops, or go two-tone?

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Whatever keeps spills from looking bad.
I would be tempted to put on some Formica ...
 
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