LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Thorsen Side Table Contest

10K views 28 replies 10 participants last post by  bbrooks 
#1 ·
How should I approach this?

Ideas to think about for this project.

What materials should I use?
How much should I change the design?
What joinery should I use?
Do I add a drawer?
How do I treat the bottom shelf?

Just how do I know that my design is eligible for the contest?

Is there any price range and/or materials that are preferred?

It seems that the scope of the contest was left open ended, maybe by design.

I'm a details person, any help with the nuts and bolts of the contest?
 
#2 ·
I'm doing a little research to get a feeling of some of their design styles on the internet. Then I'll take it from there.
I think Karson said you can choose the whatever material you want.

Maybe Karson will give us some feedback, to clear things up.
 
#3 ·
The beauty of this contest is that EVERYONE will have their own interpretation of how to recreate the Greene and Greene table, Jon.

If it isn't mentioned in the rules, then it isn't a limitation - so cost is whatever you want to spend on it. Personally, I'm not planning on spending anything over what I already have in my shop.

Karson's quote is to, "... make a Greene and Greene representation of what you have the talent and skills to make."

This is your chance to let those creative juices flow, man! Don't worry about restrictions - there really aren't any, as long as your finished piece shows the inspiration of the original table.
 
#6 ·
Jon:

In the spirit of the competition build your representation of the table.

Your materials, your interpretation.

I assume that it is something that you'd want to keep or for sale. So I would think car bumpers and leaf springs would not be representative.

But then again I'm not the judge. I just did the presentation to PW and made the format of the rules. And yes I didn't specify requirements because I wanted every Lumberjock to make something. I don't know the tools, monetary resources, time availability, So I'm letting the creator determine what they want to do.

Have Fun
 
#8 ·
I think I may have it down....

Ideas for this project.

What materials should I use? I'm going with Alder

How much should I change the design? Just enough to make it my own.

What joinery should I use? Wedge Tenons with no glue….Yeah, it will be tough.

Do I add a drawer? Nope, I'll leave that one alone.

How do I treat the bottom shelf? Make it look funky.

There, I've figured it out. Now I just have to build the crazy thing!


(My first sketch of the monster.)
 
#15 ·
The 11th hour is at hand!

Ok, Here's the deal. Its 12:35pm. My daughter has a doctors appt at 3:45. I have procrastinated my challenge project to the point that I had to abandon my idealistic goal of glueless wedge tenons. I do reserve the right to rechallenge myself at a later date on that joint. I will get it done!

The legs are clamped up and nearly dry


Here's the top. Pocket holes have replaced wedge tenons...Yes, I'm in a hurry.



The sides are small, but mighty!
 
#17 ·
UGH! Haste makes ugly marks on the top of my contest entry.

I trusted that the bit for my pocket hole jig was correctly set. I was wrong. When I attached the top to the sides and legs, here is the result. I like the way the table looks, but the holes on top are enough to make me pull out my dwindling hairs. As a result, I had to resort to nailing the top to the legs in order to finish the contest and take my little angel to the doctor.

UGH! The smaller holes are from the brad nailer.
 
#18 ·
Well you can never to too sure of where your fastenings are going.

I had some telephone installers working for me and they were installing a phone line. They used a long drill bit and when they pulled it out, it had something yellow in the drill bit. They tasted it, It was butter.

They drilled through the wall, through the refrigerator and into the butter dish.

Maybe time for some decorative pegs in the table top.
 
#23 ·
Not up to standards, but finished none the less!

This end result is a nice little side table, but I must confess, it is not up to my standards. It will make a nice table along side the couch. I'm finishing in haste to get the subscription to PW, but I will continue my challenge and improve this table more at a later date. My son (age 3) loves to hang out in the woodshop, so he can help me. Bottom line, the baby girl goes to the doctor on time, I get my challenge finished, and my son gets to help me finish it next week!

Legs, sides and top are make of Alder with Cherry on the outside edges of the top. It sits 28" off the floor and the top is 10" x 12".


Finished Product!


My son giving my daughter a smooch. Just thought I'd add that in.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top