(staining)now in need of router help

[ShinAce]

Normally I build all my stuff out of MDF, but I'm going to be building a set of speakers for my girfriend as a birthday gift. I bought a 2' x 4' piece of 1/2" 10 ply russian birch.

The grain is very smooth, largely spaced and lightly colored. I don't know the first thing about staining, other than a piece of wood this nice needs some stain.

What are some recommendations?

I was thinking of staining, then clear coating with anything, from polyurethance to shellac or even wax.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Stain it with one of those nice buff on stains.... then wax it and you'll get a really even and beautiful finish on there. Trust me it'll look like a quality item if you do it that way..... One thing to do though is finish sand it with something like an 800 to 1000grit wet and dry paper, used dry! before you put the stain on.  You'll get a really classy looking finish that way.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[ShinAce]

That sounds like a plan....although what type of stain do I want? And what tint would be ideal for a very light coloured birch?

For the wax, I figure beeswax is fine, or any furniture wax.

When it comes to sanding and painting MDF, I have tons of experience. I'll use 1000 grit on the cut edges of MDF to make them real smooth. The true word, in french, would be lisse.

I have worked with pine and cheaper woods before, and in my experience, they don't require nearly as fine a grit or strong pressure to do the job. I was thinking of first sanding with 150 grit, then moving on to 300 before I stain, and then maybe a 600 before waxing. 1000 grit seems like it may make the surface too smooth.

I forgot to mention that I will be assembling the box using 45' mitre cuts all around to make sure there are no edges. I will be fastening the box with glue and clamps, and possibly some brad nails. I want this thing to look as clean as possible, hence why I'll be opting for a buffable wax.

[Fozzy The Bear]

1000 grit seems like it may make the surface too smooth.

Not if you're only staining and waxing..... If you were varnishing then a 400-600 would do... But if it's just stain and wax then you really want to go for 800 at least on the finishing, especially on Birch.

Beeswax is the tops! it really is the dogs dangly bits!!

As far as stain goes..... I'm on the other side of the big pond... so it's probably not much use me giving you brand names for stain. As to the colour, that's really one for your own taste. Test it on some scrap pieces first.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[ShinAce]

Thanks Fozzy, you're the best. I purchased the wood today and was thinking of cutting it tomorrow. I just may have it done by mid May.

[ShinAce]

Now I have a new question, regarding putting a 45 degree mitre on the panels I've cut.

I don't have a router, but can borrow one easily. However, I imagine a table router is going to be the way to go. I've cut the panels, squared them up, and sanded the edges. I'm thinking there will be no way to get a perfectly straight mitre on all edges unless I use a table router. At least that way, once routed, all panels will have exactly the same dimensions.

Is this correct?

[Fozzy The Bear]

Yes... you could table route the edges..... But an easier option if you have one, is to cut it using a table circular saw. Pretty much the same result really.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[ShinAce]

Hmm, very true....