| Project by CharlieM1958 | posted 01-04-2009 10:58 PM | 7237 views | 24 times favorited | 50 comments |  |
 |
This was inspired not just by the contest, but by my grand-nieces and nephews, who have a tendency to play with, lose, eat, or otherwise mistreat game pieces. I came up with the idea of a removable top with hidden trays underneath. Rather than hinge the top, I decided to make both it and the trays unattached so that the game can be played at another table or on the floor.
There are runners on the underside of the top (see last photo below) which serve two functions: They fit exactly into the provided places in the table base to keep the top from moving around, and they slightly elevate the playing surface when the top is used by itself, making it easy to pick up. The trays rest inside the table base by their handles on the provided ledges. I divided the space into two trays so that one could be used for chess men, and the other for checkers.
Construction is all walnut except for the maple squares and inlays, and the birch ply tray bottoms. This was my first attempt at tapered legs using my new table saw and a taper jig. They are two-sided tapers, and actually went off without a hitch (which was a great surprise). The miters were also cut on the table saw, using a miter sled I constructed. I know some will want to take issue with my capturing the board inside the frame. Time will tell, I suppose. Here in south Louisiana, humidity is consistently very high, and temperature extremes are not that great. I’ve constructed a number of things this way over the past few years, and so far (knock on wood) no problems with wood movement.
Finish on top is oil-based wipe-on poly, sanded out after a number of coats so that , in effect, the poly becomes a grain filler for the walnut. The last few coats then leave a glass-smooth surface. Finish on the table base is also wipe-on poly, but without the smoothing-out process.
Thanks for looking. All questions, comments, criticism welcome.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
50 comments so far
darryl
home | projects | blog
1795 posts in 3108 days
#1 posted 01-04-2009 11:09 PM
it’s a fantastic looking table, nice work.
love the look of the top.
best of luck in the contest!
Bigbuck
home | projects | blog
1347 posts in 2445 days
#2 posted 01-04-2009 11:10 PM
Very nice charlie, I like the removable top idea
-- Glenn, New Mexico
johan
home | projects | blog
153 posts in 2292 days
#3 posted 01-04-2009 11:13 PM
Ha,yes what a lovely table i like the more sleek lines of this table if thet makes sense.
-- Johan, South Africa, www.knysnawoodworkers.co.za
Matt (Upper Cut)
home | projects | blog
264 posts in 2595 days
#4 posted 01-04-2009 11:15 PM
Looks great! Great job on finishing it as well—I love wipe on oil-poly.
-- Matt Gradwohl, Upper Cut Woodworks, http://uppercutwoodworks.com/
John Gray
home | projects | blog
2370 posts in 2667 days
#5 posted 01-04-2009 11:16 PM
Great job Charlie!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
mtnwild
home | projects | blog
3474 posts in 2309 days
#6 posted 01-04-2009 11:18 PM
Sorry Charlie, All I can offer is the Good ol’ WOW, that’s what I’m sure I’d say if I walked up to it for the first time. Master work. Love the details. The inlays are gorgeous , the wood is fantastic, the design is top notch the fit and finish superior. Super!
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
lew
home | projects | blog
10201 posts in 2537 days
#7 posted 01-04-2009 11:21 PM
Charlie,
Absolutely beautiful table! The tapered legs and arched sides give it a very “light” look. And the finish on the top- well I wish i could do that level of work!
Best of luck in the contest.
Lew
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the Universe's finest custom rolling pins.
Thos. Angle
home | projects | blog
4441 posts in 2744 days
#8 posted 01-04-2009 11:22 PM
This probably the greatest of a long series of great projects. Charlie, you just keep getting better and better. A real master.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
Mike_in_Ohio
home | projects | blog
28 posts in 2231 days
#9 posted 01-04-2009 11:24 PM
Beautiful table!
-- Mike
YorkshireStewart
home | projects | blog
1118 posts in 2683 days
#10 posted 01-04-2009 11:24 PM
Absolutely first class Charlie; beautiful design, choice of materials, construction and finish!
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
mrtrim
home | projects | blog
1696 posts in 2662 days
#11 posted 01-04-2009 11:44 PM
youve outdone yourself there charlie ! what a nice peice that is , well done !
TomK
home | projects | blog
504 posts in 2656 days
#12 posted 01-04-2009 11:56 PM
Really like the design fo this Charlie.
-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke
majeagle1
home | projects | blog
1419 posts in 2278 days
#13 posted 01-05-2009 12:00 AM
What can I say that others have not already said….......... You truely have outdone yourself and you “ARE” a master. This is a piece that you call a “WINNER”. The only criticism that I can make is ” It’s not in my house”!
I really like ths design and sleek lines of the whole piece.
Great job and thanks for sharing.
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Woodhacker
home | projects | blog
1139 posts in 2505 days
#14 posted 01-05-2009 12:12 AM
Charlie, simply beautiful in every way. Well thought out design and excellent craftsmanship.
Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
FlWoodRat
home | projects | blog
732 posts in 2691 days
#15 posted 01-05-2009 12:15 AM
Charlie, that is a great looking table. I really like the inlays on the top. Thanks for posting it.
-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 50 comments
Have your say...