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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!!!

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Comments

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Nice looking job.

Well executed and good interpretation of the given materials.
 

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I'm amazed… and a little jealous.
Must've been a fun project.
 

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Beautiful table! After you split the table and inserted the inlay material how did you keep the material from falling through the big crack?
PS I found a good "how to" article by Stephen Hatcher- it's a pdf file… here's the link.
http://www.turningwood.com/HOW_TOO/Basic%20Stone%20Inlay%20(Ver%201.0).PDF

another article- inludes specific details for materials/supplierst etc. also a pdf file.
http://www.stephenhatcher.com/files/suppliers.pdf

another good one http://jaxturners.org/tech/Embellishing%20Your%20Woodturning%20with%20Inlay%20Techniques.pdf
 

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Oh wow, its an absolutely perfect table and a pleasure to the eyes of an woodworker and "wood-lover". I am sure, the real beauty finally comes out in a room with the additional ambience.
very cool job, thanks for sharing
 

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Wood anthracite coal work for an inlay?
 

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Beautiful table, beautiful inlay work, once again. You've just given me the inspiration I need to do a similar style table for a dining room. In fact, your design for the base is exactly what I've been looking for as this couple wants a live edge slab for the top (probably juniper), but a more "machined" look for the base. Your's could be adapted to work for them, and looks to be sturdy enough to support just about any weight load it gets subjected to. Once again, your artistic design, combined with the naturalness of the wood itself and the superb inlay work, blows me away. Thanks for sharing.

TZH
 

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Wow! that is incredible. I like the way you did the inlay. Awesome work!
 

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Great looking table. Even my wife noticed it from across the room as she was shoulder-surfing my viewing.
 

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A very beautiful piece, love the inlay work and the colour contrast. Inspired and impressed once again.
 

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Yummy!

Reminds of the bubinga slabs I see at my dream website. Maybe I could afford a redwood slab instead.
 

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There is just something to be said about a big redwood table…
 

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Nice job, i like your other stuff too.
 

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What a great table, Love the whole project ! Thx for sharing!
 

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Andy, you are an absolute artist, that is an awesome project and you did it perfect. I am so impressed, good job.
Don Seawater
Pacific Coast Lumber
805 441 5422
pacificcoastlumber.com
 

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Simply fantastic!
 
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