Project Information
Finally had time to post this big redwood table that I completed a month ago. It was a commission from a local winemaker. He provided the redwood and the shells for inlay.
Working the slab was a challenge. I had to strap four sawhorses together, to support the slab as I worked it.
I actually split it in two with a sledge and a froe as it has a split right at the center rings of the tree. I worked the bottom of each piece, as they were small enough for me to flip myself.
I then flipped them over (top side up) and doweled them together with 8 1×12 oak dowels. This got me through the wood near the middle of the slab that is prone to movement.
To flatten the slab, I used my huge 1806B 6 3/4 Makita planer, and crosshatched the slab. I then came over it with a belt sander w/ a sanding frame, and finally the r/o sander. I popped the grain with shellac and coated with Target poly. I had to spray the underside lying on my back. and moving the sawhorses as needed.
The inlay is a mix of crushed malachite and epoxy resin. I grind it off with a concrete grinder, and finish with a belt sander and RO sander. You use LOTS of sand paper doing these sections!!!
They were so pleased that in addition to the payment, they set us up with about two cases of quality local wine (Minassian Young) in addition!
Oh- the base is made of Monterey Cypress- a beautiful stable local wood- the joint is a simple through tenon with a shoulder.
Other than house additions, it's the biggest Damn thing I've built yet!!!
Working the slab was a challenge. I had to strap four sawhorses together, to support the slab as I worked it.
I actually split it in two with a sledge and a froe as it has a split right at the center rings of the tree. I worked the bottom of each piece, as they were small enough for me to flip myself.
I then flipped them over (top side up) and doweled them together with 8 1×12 oak dowels. This got me through the wood near the middle of the slab that is prone to movement.
To flatten the slab, I used my huge 1806B 6 3/4 Makita planer, and crosshatched the slab. I then came over it with a belt sander w/ a sanding frame, and finally the r/o sander. I popped the grain with shellac and coated with Target poly. I had to spray the underside lying on my back. and moving the sawhorses as needed.
The inlay is a mix of crushed malachite and epoxy resin. I grind it off with a concrete grinder, and finish with a belt sander and RO sander. You use LOTS of sand paper doing these sections!!!
They were so pleased that in addition to the payment, they set us up with about two cases of quality local wine (Minassian Young) in addition!
Oh- the base is made of Monterey Cypress- a beautiful stable local wood- the joint is a simple through tenon with a shoulder.
Other than house additions, it's the biggest Damn thing I've built yet!!!