Outdoor "Coffee" Table #9: Edge Treatment?

I’m kind of a fan of the underside edge lighthening. As a matter of fact it’s what I’ve done on a recent project I’ll be posting shortly.

But, in this case, I put my money on a small roundover, just enough to break the edges. I think that this piece needs to show it’s sturdiness, and the slotted top already makes it look balanced and not too heavy, although strong.

In any case, it is lovely. Are you going to finish it with oil and let it age or trying to protect it a little bit more? If it were me, I’d go for the natural look, renewing the oil yearly.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://www.japanese-woodworking-tools.com/

Break the edges and go, IMHO.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

same as the rest….......break the adges and go

looking good

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

Just went through a similar dilema myself. I opted to break the edges and resisted the urge to do anything fancy. It’s outdoor furniture it should look strong. It’s a nice piece by the way, what type of wood did you use?

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

Just went back through your blog and answered my own question. I want to recant my comment though. It’s an exceptional piece. Thanks for sharing it. I’m humbled by the quality of work I see on this site.

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

It does not look heavy to me….. I’m also in the break the edges camp.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Yeah, just break the edges, and as the other folks said it is a nice table.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Dorje, I might consider a chamfer on the under side. The rest of the table is square so it would have to be just break the ege with a plane or use a 45 bit in a router. I have a 45 bit in my trim router that I like to use on this type edge. It really just breaks it but does it very even.
Tom

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I used a chamfer on the table I made recently, but I think your design might just need small round-over. I vote for just easing the edges.

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

My vote is break the edges. Nice looking table!

-- Greg Mitchell--Lowell, AR--gdamitchell@sbcglobal.net

I like Tom’s idea of the small chamfer on the underside.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Thanks all for your opinions! That was definitely what I was after! I think I’ll integrate the ideas. A very light chamfer on the bottom edge and then I’ll just ease all the edges by hand with paper.

Jojo – I’m with you on the finish…just some oil every year or so…hardly want to oil it even, but I’m going to!

Thanks again.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

I like it natural and aged by the sun too but I found that a light coat of oil when the season starts is the perfect balance between the natural look and some protection. Also, it can prevent SWMBO nagging you because “the table of the backyard is starting to look bad. You could consider doing something about it, doncha?” ;o)

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://www.japanese-woodworking-tools.com/