Hall Table Designs Would like Your Feedback

Idea #2 does more for me than 1. I don’t like the fact that #1 has a top that doesn’t cover the leg structure. Maybe I’m not modern enough. The corner treatment on #2 looks difficult and should be a challenge. A great learning experience.

-- Thos. Angle

I think the Parson’s table design is a little too conventional, at least for my taste. As you say, it’s timeless, but been there, done that, you know? I don’t think it would be the best way to show off the Jatoba

The first design let’s your eye focus more on the jatoba, but the top seems a little narrow for the base. It looks like it’s just sitting on top. If you can make it as wide as the base and “float” it with little risers recessed under the top so you don’t see them, it’ll draw your eye to it even more. You’ll still get the effect of the walnut ribbon, but the top will be the star.

I’m not sure about the shelf. It might be a little distracting, but it does provide additional display space. Maybe try the drawing without it and see how it works.

Hope I wasn’t too negative. I tend to look at things pretty analytically. Either design has its good points and the joinery on the Parson’s table would certainly be a challenge.

Good luck with it whichever way you go.

-- Alan Carter, www.alancarterstudio.com

One:
I like the idea of one, but something just doesn’t ‘feel’ right with it. What happens if you flip the frame upside down, and then have the top cover the leg structure?

Two:
I like it, but how is the framed Jatoba able to expand and contract?

-- Brian http://www.garagewoodworks.com

Thos., Alan & Brian

I really appreciate these kind of comments so thank you for taking time exactly the feed back I am after. You guys have me thinking.

Alan, I like your idea about floating the top on risers and then changing the base to suit. I do like like the option of the second shelf and the additional display space it provides but I might try it without or floating that as well. It is funny I think you hit the nail on the head why I am struggling with the parson style “been there done that” but it would be a challenge and is timeless.

Brian, There is something that is bugging me too about idea 1 but I cannot put my finger on it yet. If I were to flip the base It would look like this (one of my favorite projects on LJ) but it would be too close to Brian’s piece.

!

To answer your question regarding the expansion of the jatoba in the mitered frame I would treat it like a frame and panel door and allow it to float within the frame.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

I probably prefer #2 because I’d love to see what you do with the triple miter. I don’t mind the classic style.

I like #1 too, but agree with Brian (of High Point) about flipping the frame. Aesthetically I think it would look better. Functionally, the long runners against the floor in your original design will make it harder to clean underneath. I like Alan’s idea of widening the top slightly and floating the top.

-- Martin, Kansas

Brain, as with all your work, I like them both, but I think #1 is the better way to go, but with legs going from front to back maybe?

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

Hey dude I think if you go with number one, drop the top two short rails down 3/4 leaving the end grain on the verticals going up that extra 3/4 and sit the top down. Nice to hear you like my table man, i still have that table sitting in the shop covered in dust ha. man i need to sell stuff.

-- Brian, Eternal Furniture & Design http://www.eternal-furniture.com Repurpose Reclaim,Stay Green

Hey dude I think if you go with number one, drop the top two short rails down 3/4 leaving the end grain on the verticals going up that extra 3/4 and sit the top down. Nice to hear you like my table man, I still have that table sitting in the shop covered in dust ha. Man i need to sell stuff.

-- Brian, Eternal Furniture & Design http://www.eternal-furniture.com Repurpose Reclaim,Stay Green

I like idea #2, the parson’s table…....... I like the way the walnut “frames” the jatoba.
I love the idea of the triple miter joint. I saw an article on how to do that joint in FWW a couple of years
ago and now I can’t find it, wouldn’t you know. I have always wanted to try it, do you by any chance have
that article?

Can’t wait to see the finished project.

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

Brian, first of all, I like all of your work and really admire your style and craftsmanship. For this table, I definitely like design #1. A couple ideas I might add to what others have already said…I think I would leave the base the way you have it modeled and I do like the shelf, but for the top I would consider floating it vertically up off the base (as opposed to floating it between the legs). The other thing that I think might look good is to shape the top such that it is wider (front to back, not the thickness) at the ends than the middle by cutting subtle curves along the front and back edges. If you have enough material, I would probably make the top cover the base instead of being narrower.

Just throwing some ideas out there to help keep the creativity flowing….

-Eric

Brian,

Love your work, I think there is some great potential in developing either of these designs.

I like EternalDesign Brian’s (love his work too) suggestion of dropping the top down 3/4 for #1

In reference to #2, notice the detail of the negative space created in his project that you used as a sample. It is the space between the panel and the frame the turns into the legs. That is a fantastic detail that many would not pick up on but makes it very sophisticated.

Your joinery detail of the legs for #2 is a great way to go. This stands out in modern designs such as this.

#2 would be great but I would do it with a veneered panel or the expansion issue has to be addressed in the construction.

I like GarageWoodworks Brian (and yes love his work too) comment, “something doesn’t ‘feel’ right about it.” I design on feel and intuition as well. Trust your instincts – use the force Luke. OK, seriously, take in the info and for the next few days walk into the office and look at the pictures. What hits you immediately about each picture? What makes it feel awkward or what creates a good rhythm and flow to the design? The initial impact will tell you a lot about the design.

I am printing these images off of a screen shot and I will look at them again tomorrow.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Had to come back.

I like Alan’s suggestion of the floating top effect. He does some great work and has a great vision too.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Brian, number one is the choice for me..
I find the second option a little on the plain side when it comes to both function and style. Good luck with your choice.

-- Norm (AKA - The Maddhatter), Middletown DE

Brian, number one is the choice for me..
I find the second option a little on the plain side when it comes to both function and style. Good luck with your choice.

-- Norm (AKA - The Maddhatter), Middletown DE

I don’t like the legs on #1 and the plain edges look too unfinished, not well executed. The Parsons table is nice, but I think you can incorporate more design to make it a bit more interesting. The thin board does need a frame to accent it and give it more volume.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Brian, I like the triple miter joint a lot. If you get a chance, give me a call if you have not seen the joint in person. It is one that I teach in the club advanced joint class and I have my sample. Have a nice day. Garysharp

-- Garysharp "When sharpening woodworking tools, good enough,...isn't" “Your life’s complete only when your knowledge passes on”.

How about dropping the table below the structure?

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

De fotos taller

I’ve used that triple miter joint several times: in the table on the picture I took the risk to fix the table to the frame to reinforce the whole table. I did it several years ago and it still keep beautiful. Tonight, for us, I will explain it more in detail. Now I´m hurrying for work.

-- Alejandro Moreno, CANARY ISLANDS

I vote for 2 – no reason I just like it and the joints look neater

-- .......and if ya screw up, you can heat yer house with it......

Brian, I like concept #1, and with the others, I think floating the top would make a big difference. The way you’ve got it drawn, it looks likes a board was simply set on the frame. If it were me, I might run a stretcher between the two top sides of the frame and then float the top on that. I wouldn’t change the frame at all. The current dimensions give it just the right amount of asymetry to make it really interesting.

-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

I like the idea of #1 too. I think you are trying to emphasize that Jatoba board. I like the shelf too but I think you need to do something to the proportion so the shelf and top are different; make the top a different shape maybe? Perhaps add a curve to it so it flairs out on the ends a little (the opposite of a surf board). I have always liked big overhangs on tops.

The funny thing about the legs is that I can see two people on their knees facing away from each other with the top on their shoulders (for whatever that’s worth <g>)

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Hi Everyone,

Wow! I knew you guys would have some great ideas and comments. If I talley this up looks like Idea #1 with modifications would be the winner. Ideas I am considering are dropping the top 3/4”, Floating the top (Russel I liked your idea), Scott I like the flaired idea too. I am dealing with the constraints of the wood on hand with my biggest constraint being the 8”width of the Jatoba.

Blake: I love your idea of dropping the top below the structure! And Thank you for taking the time to draw it up in Sketch up. What I am drawn to in that concept is that the top is visually contained within the frame of the table. That just might be what was bothering me. It also highlights the continuous “ribbon” affect that I was trying to achieve.

Gary: Thanks I would be very interested in seeing that joint in person. Perhaps we can visit again soon this time at my workshop so I can give you the nickel tour.

Thanks again everyone…you all have helped me with your great comments and suggestions. I will post some refined ideas.

-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com

Firstly, I’m jealous of how much time you get to spend in the shop.

Secondly, I particularly like the first one. Mostly the way it is, but I also like Brian’s (Eternal) idea about dropping the two short rails and insetting the top. But, ultimately I like the design the way it is. One of my favorite parts is the way the top is narrow (same width) as the shelf, but because of the lightness/openess of the frame it is still well balanced. and the fact that the joinery will be concealed means there won’t be anything else competing for the viewers eye.

Cool designs – both of them – but I would like to see you do the first one.

Regards, JM

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

My vote is for #1 with Blake’s modification, for the same reason you listed in you most recent response, the “ribbon of walnut” is much more noticeable (I didn’t notice it in you pic until I read the description) and the “hanging” effect on the top shelf is very eye catching

This was a fun exercise, I think Ill try it soon : )

Later buddy

dayton