Crack Build

[Murrays]

I built this Crack over a year ago. The base looked terrible as I hadn't bothered to sand it or finish it in any way. I recently bought a Reduction phono preamp. I took the base plate and power supply cap to a buddy's where we powdercoated the base plate black and the PS cap red. I decided to use aniline dyes to make the base bright red and decoded to use the base for the Crack as my test run. This pic is after two applications of aniline dye and before the linseed oil and beeswax that will be used for the final finish.

I rounded over the top and corners with a 1/4" roundover bit in my router table. Sanded with 180 and 400 grit. Applied water to raise the grain followed by sanding 4 times. Then applied the aniline dye - which is water based.

One thing I have seen others do is add some very cool feet to their bases. If anybody could point me in the direction of some sources it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[borism]

Looks great!
If you want to stay with black rubber feet, I recommend Herbie's "tenderfeet". They are also great for damping vibrations. 

 

[Mike V.]

Nice look,now Crack is also sexy  ;D

 

[mcandmar]

Never heard of that aniline dye before, i like how you can get such vibrant colours while maintaining the wood grain, very cool 

 

[JamieMcC]

Never heard of that aniline dye before, i like how you can get such vibrant colours while maintaining the wood grain, very cool 

If you give it a spay of clear coat from a rattle can and it can make the colours really pop.

Nice job with the dye  ;D I like the effect.

 

[Murrays]

I got the aniline from Lee Valley. It was very easy to apply. Just wiped it on with a cloth. Because it is mixed in water it is necessary to wet the wood to raise the grain and then sand it after it dries before applying the aniline.

The top finish will be linseed oil and beeswax. Plan on 4-5 coats and then buffing with a polisher. Likely a low lustre finish but should have nice depth after several coats are applied.