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Surfboard dinner table.

55K views 85 replies 42 participants last post by  mafe 
#1 ·
Walk before you can surf...

Surfboard dinner table
Walk before you can surf…

Some of you know I am going to have a new home from February.
When I left my old home in the pursuit of happiness I threw out all my furniture's except from some chairs and bookcases, it ended as fast as it started and so this time I am starting from scratch.

In a way this is a dream, a fresh start and I have decided to take it as a chance to get myself a more relaxed style, a more easy living approach that I have been used to for many years in different relationships and with a small kid in the house. Now my wonderful daughter is thirteen and so I have plans to make the home for the two of us a little funky.



The apartment has a big dinner kitchen, (originally a small room, a kitchen and a hallway - now one big room).
In this room I want a long table where we can sit, talk and eat with friends, but also I want it to be vibrant and with a smile. So I got the idea of a long surfboard table, this will bring smiles and hopefully the relaxed style I am looking for to soften up the niceness.


This is the idea.
There is a column in the room and I want it to penetrate the board and then be held in the other end by a thin wire so it is an air surfer.

Well enough of the talk; I went for some nice plywood with a surface that has a play (flame).


First step was to surf.
The web…
For some inspiration for the shape.
And then draw up some lines, only drawing the one side and folding the paper after for symmetry.


The drawing was put on top of the board.


With a jigsaw I cut the board in shape.
But I was not happy for the shape.
So I put it aside for a few days until I felt comfortable and soft…


Then I made a big bendable ruler from a piece of old window blind.


Simple yes?


Just clamped in place.


This helped me to get the feel of the right curves.
And then it was easy to draw them up with a pen.


Fold the paper and cut the extra away.


Unfold, tape in place and then cut to the final shape.
And this time I was happy.
It looks like it can ride the waves, even it will only ride my kitchen…


Next part was to make a crosscut sled for my table saw since my sled is in storage now.


It was quickly done, and I feel confident I will use this sled a lot in the future.
So double happy.


This is why I needed a sled.
To control the angles for the cuts.
I wanted the board to look thicker without getting too heavy.
So I added another edge of plywood underneath.


Cut along the shape to remove access wood.


And finally I cut a fin from a piece of walnut that I got as a gift from my LJ friend Jusfine Randy, thank you!
I think the table will need this to be complete!

Will be back soon with more and promise to post once it is installed.

Hope this can bring some inspiration to others, a joyride or two, who knows even some more surf tables.

Best thoughts,

Mads
 
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#8 ·
Looks nice Mads and is a great concept. My only worry is that the wire might be in the way when you are passing food around. Knowing you, this has already been considered and will not be a problem. looking forward to seeing this develop.
 
#12 ·
so mads, how do you get the beam through the table, ive just got to know logistics.. and i guess there is no way to support the table from underneath instead of the cable.. what will you do to finish off the top, some sort of Formica or will you stain the top and use a poly or something to seal it…maybe some kind of surf board design…maybe for your first dinner you can play some beach boys music…im sure you know which song to pick…grizz
 
#13 ·
My worry is that you'll trip carrying the food, fall against the free end of the table which will act like a huge lever on the beam and crack it. The whole ceiling that the beam is supporting will then come crashing down. Of course I'm not worried about you getting hurt Mads, its just that the dinner will be ruined. LOL.
 
#15 ·
I was thinking you might use the fin (skeg) as an angle-bracket support underneath. Some surfboards even have double and triple skegs. But the cable could also substitute for a leash. they are typically a bungee cord that attaches to the skeg and has a loop that velcros around your ankle (used to retrieve your board when you fall off).
 
#18 ·
I like it Mads
My only suggestion is maybe a fold-away leg.
After a bottle or two of wine someone's going to want to ride it you know….... ;-)
 
#19 ·
Hi Mads,

You are always the eternal optimist and I love that you have a mind of a compser. Your ideas are presented so well and your dedication to documenting the progress and "how I did it"photography is impressive to me. I wish you the best in your future . I know all too well about heartbreak and responsibility for children, I know tht you are as concerned for your daughter as you are for yourself. Still you figure out ways to put your mind to work and combine it with your knowledge and resources and make your world just a little better. I love it. Good work!
 
#22 ·
Mads, this is pretty dang unusual and will definitely give you what you're looking for regarding a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I can't wait to see how the whole thing ends up. No matter what, I hope that you and your daughter will be blessed in your new home.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
 
#24 ·
Hi there!
Guys you made me laugh big time, and I really needed that.
Thank you all for the wonderful comments.
Instead of the worries then think of the fact I now have a getaway if a Tsunami arrives in Copenhagen, I will simply grasp Mathilde and we will surf out the window - return of the MaFe surfer!
From GBOC to YASBC perhaps a double member here!
Andy I had to look that word up! bodacious
Lew you got me too with the wonderful word Kowabunga.
Not surprised about all the questions, guess this is not the average dinner table…
For the getting the column through the table… No this is not possible, since the structure of the building is hold by this and so I will have a house surfing if I try…
So the solution is to cut the surfboard into two parts when I once know exactly where it will be placed and then put it back together on the underside where it is hollow.
I'm thinking to use an ultra-thin kerf Japanese saw and then put lacquer in the joint and wipe of…
We will see it was the best I could come up with.
For the wire I have no fear of the strength, I believe a 3 mm wire can hold app a ton, this is way more than a wooden leg. What does Poul say to this? What thickness? I was thinking 3-4mm.
For the size I made it app 70 cm / 28 inches wide this should be fine unless I want to make a royal dinner, smiles.
I hope it will work for six persons, perhaps eight for a bakedbeans and beers round.

Big smile,
Mads
 
#25 ·
Since you have to cut the board anyway, consider cutting it long-ways, then the stripes will hide the cut. Might take a bit of cross-bracing on the underside, but at least you wont have a cut across the board that will be impossible to hide.
 
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