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8K views 47 replies 15 participants last post by  LeeJ 
#1 ·
Wenge and White Ash Table


It's been a while since I posted any projects, so I figured I'd better do so before you all forget my name.

I previously posted a Library stair unit, and this table is the accompaning piece of furniture to that.

The client needed a conference table, but he also wanted a workbench, as he was prone to dismantel his computer occasionaly, in name of improving it.

He was a fan a George Nakashima, so he wanted the table fashioned in his style. My design seemed to prove successful, as he did love the finished product.

We built the trestle style leg sets, and the main frame of the table with wenge. The top was constructed with a resin coated honeycomb cardboard core, covered with M.D.F., and book matched ash veneer.

The top consisted of two pieces, joined at the middle with saus hinges. One half of the table flipped over onto it's counterpart, exposing the brushed stainless steel work surface. The stainless is actually laminated to a wilson- art plastic laminate. (like formica).

The work area under the stainless had a center drawer, covered with felt, as well as two sections that lifted out, for tool storage, at bothends of the table. These too, were covered with felt.

Since the gentleman was not a young fellow, or in the best of health, the table had to be light enough for him to open and close. The honeycomb was the perfect solution.

We inlaid "butterflies" into the top to mimick the ones used by Nakashima to repair cracks in his slab lumber tables.

Again we made use of templates and the vacuum system for many phases of the project.

Lee
 
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#7 ·
Lee great design. A unique use of internal space. I guess the laminate doesn'tcome off over the drawer.

It looked like you bent the Wedge as you were glueing up the table frame. How did you keep the curve when you cut out the drawer?
 
#10 ·
Thanks Karson

Actually, we used 3/8" bendy board, and 3/8" thick wenge, and curved them over a form. This was placed in the vacuum bag, so when the uni bond 800 (urea resin) was cured, the curve remained. Check the bottom photo and you'll see the form in the bag, with one of the aprons on it.

Then dado's were cut into the apron at the desired intervals, for the cross pieces. Cuting the drawer face was done with a hand saw, held on the desired angles, so it wouldnt show a gap too much when closed. The curved stayed fairly well. The bottom is glued to the center of the front and rear, which helps to keep it in place.

The clamps were used to press the dado's tight onto the cross pieces, as they relaxed somewhat after being dadoed.

The lanimnate above the drawer isn't removable. The thinking here was if he had his computer dismanteled, he wouldn't have access to the space below.

Lee
 
#14 ·
Hi Tom,

Thank you;

And your right, the shop is a pleasure to work / play in. Depending on what were making, determines the type of music playing. Quite often is classical, as that seems to lend itself to a relaxed atmosphere, where accuracy is easier to achieve.

Don't ask me why, but It really seems to make a difference.

I like rock as much as the next guy, but I never play it in the shop!

Lee
 
#17 ·
Lee

... check out amazon or cdbay and listen to some clips.
It is instrumental - new jazz - synthetic - new intruments etc
Bones, CSI Crime and several movie soundtracks have the Crystal Method on them.
If you have XM radio, channel 84 is chill and sometimes plays these groups.
Pitch Black nz is from New Zealand, but some good stuff.

Dan
 
#19 ·
Lee,

I believe that classical music would make the perfect atmosphere for the kind of work you do in your shop.

I worked at UPS several years ago and they used to blast rock music to make us unload the trucks faster. I would go home after 5 hrs. with frazzled nerves from the whole experience.

Classical music suits itself to fine woodwork!
 
#20 ·
Tom;

You are completly right! If I were forced to listen to loud ( music ? ) for any length of time, I would be forced to go postal. And I am a fan of rock!

I can't deal with someone yelling at me, instead of something calming. Now people are listening to rap, often in their cars, so loud my windows in my car shake!

Are some people really that stupid? Well, never mind, I figureed it out myself.

There is a saying: St in, St out, meaning load your brain with enough garbage, what else could be expected to come out.

My stepson would play rock in the shop, while I was out, and after I got back, within an hour I'd be ready for the loonie bin. Just completely unnerves me.

Plaing classical music seems to make my carving tools know where to go!!

Lee
 
#22 ·
Music wise I am a Crystal Method fan… and listen to synthpop all day every day in the office… Mesh, Iris, Old 80s stuff like OMD, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds etc… My favorite site for music purchases is www.adifferentdrum.com… Upbeat happy dancy stuff… (I used to own a dance club while in college)
 
#24 ·
Hi Drew,

Thank you, and have fun building it! If you need any further information, just let me know!

Why is it I haven't heard of any of these groups. At the very least, simple minds, being birds of a feather and all that!

I must be getting old.

Lee
 
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