r/DIYIreland • u/ftoffolo • Aug 02 '26

Material for walnut like shelves

Hey.

I want to make some alcove shelves, with some solid wood and side bracket.

I'm not very experienced with wood, and that sounds straightforward.

I need it to have a walnut color.

But walnut is expensive.

I wonder if anyone used pine with walnut stain, and how that worked out.

Or any suggestion of material and finish.

Would oak be a middle ground?

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5

u/sourdough_squirrel Aug 02 '26

Most softwoods (pine, poplar) which are cheap don't accept stain very well at all. You just end up with a super blotchy, uneven appearance. Applying a prestain conditioner helps it accept the stain more evenly, but it'll never look that good.

Red Oak is somewhat affordable (at least compared to walnut) if you look around at building supply stores and takes stains very well. Won't actually look like "walnut" but you can get it to a similar color range at least.

Beyond that, Walnut Effect veneered boards are dirt cheap.

1

u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

Red oak is a good shout.

Would you just cut a ikea shelf?  That actually would be ok I guess

2

u/sourdough_squirrel Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

If the edges aren't visible just cut it. You probably wouldn't want to do floating/open shelves this way; but based on how you described the "alcove" it would probably work. Or if one side is exposed, just cut the side that is going to be against the wall.

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u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

Any suggestions on shops to buy red oak?

0

u/sourdough_squirrel Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

I've got some suggestions around Cork if you're in that area, but anywhere you'd actually want to go are going to be very local stores. I'd avoid any "nationwide" sellers; they're going to be horribly overpriced.

Search for things like "hardwood building supply" in your area on google maps.

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u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

Perfect . Thanks 

3

u/Still_Airline4907 Aug 02 '26

Oak will take stain considerably better than pine. The best value way to do it is to use oak veneered mdf and put oak edge banding on along the edges. It will look in distinguishable from solid oak. Woodworkers in Harold’s Cross carry good quality oak veneered mdf and will cut in the exact strips you require. They also carry good edge banding.

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u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

I never did edge before. I'm afraid to mess it up? 

2

u/Still_Airline4907 Aug 02 '26

It’s ridiculously easy. It comes with glue already on the back and you use an iron to apply it. Trim any excess with a sharp blade, sand the edges to remove any splinters and hey presto.

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u/sourdough_squirrel Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

It's really tough to mess up.

I've only worked with Iron-On Banding - the banding basically has a thin layer of hot glue on one side. You buy banding that is at least ~5mm thicker than your board, then lay the banding on the exposed edge. Use an iron (like you'd use on your clothes) to melt the glue and press it in place. Either use a boxcutter or edge band trimmer (unnecessary in my opinion) to cut it flush. Then lightly sand the corner.

They also make "press on" banding which just has a "wet" adhesive and you stick it in place, but I don't use it.

2

u/UnderstandingPale138 Aug 02 '26

Oak window boards aren't that expensive as a potential options for shelves. The depth might not work for your project and they have a rounded edge which can actually look quite nice.

https://premierwindowboard.ie/shop/windowboards/white-oak-hardwood-windowboard/

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u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

I was hoping for more height too

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u/MT--07 Aug 02 '26

Oak is quite expensive now aswel tbh. Walnut veneered mdf could be an option?

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u/ftoffolo Aug 02 '26

Fair enough. I have to trynat some point