| Project by Al Navas | posted 303 days ago | 962 views | 2 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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This is a half-scale table I made to fully visualize proportions. And I got away with hand planing the bevel, as the grain reversed at the knot near the corner. This little table is the model on which I will base a full-scale table I just started building. The table is fashioned after Frank Klausz’s famous table with a beveled edge. In the full-scale table, the bevel gives a comfortable feel to the arm as it lays on the edge. Joinery: Mortise & tenon. Top thickness is 3/4 inch; the square legs are 1-1/2 inches; aprons are 2 inches wide; table height is 15.5 inches. The top is attached to the base using buttons inserted into a groove machined on the aprons – to allow for wood movement I provided a clearance of just under 1/8-inch on both of the long edges; I used screws to hold the buttons in place.
The lighter wood is quarter-sawn white oak, and the dark wood is walnut. The finish for the white oak is as follows: First, I sanded to 150 grit, followed by two thin coats of Zinsser Seal Coat applied with a rag, followed by 4 spray coats of Target Coatings’ EM2000wvx waterborne alkyd varnish, in satin sheen. I sanded to 320 grit between every coat. This finish schedule imparts a straw color to the white oak; it is reminiscent of a vintage finish. The finish for the walnut consisted of two thin coats of garnet shellac, followed by four coats of Target Coatings’ EM2000wvx waterborne alkyd varnish, satin sheen.
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com
10 comments so far
BarryW
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872 posts in 799 days
posted 303 days ago
a small point of character…and a great finish…you’re the man to learn from and I’ve enjoyed your videos.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 616 days
posted 302 days ago
Al this looks great. I like the wood contrast and your finish. The proportions look very nice. I’m curious…is your full scale version going to use a 3/4 top or will it be something thicker?
Thanks for posting it and I’ll be watching for the bigger version.
-- Martin, Kansas
woodworm
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8184 posts in 483 days
posted 302 days ago
Great work.
I guess you are very happy to have managed taming the knot with hand plane.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
Douglas Bordner
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3424 posts in 956 days
posted 302 days ago
Beautiful table with a refined edge. I’m glad to hear that you have found Sealcoat compatible with Target WB Alkyd.
I have used Target Optima WB Lacquer, but didn’t feel like braving the Shellac first, choosing to add a little Trans-tint to the pot. I will have to try the varnish.
Good luck in the contest!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
93mwm
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62 posts in 313 days
posted 302 days ago
simple but elegant
-- mwm! Before you criticise walk a mile in their shoes, and when you do criticise you will be a mile away and have their shoes!
Al Navas
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289 posts in 768 days
posted 302 days ago
Barry,
Thanks! You are kind – love to learn you like the videos.
Martin,
The top will be 1-1/2 inches thick. The scale is exactly 1/2 of the final table size, including apron widths, table legs, etc. All, except the number of finish layers… :-)
Woodworm,
You are sure right – you don’t know how the grain reacts across a knot like this, until you hit it with a hand plane.
Douglas,
White oak, but especially red oak, have high tannin content, which can (and the red oak will) cause funny reactions with a waterborne finish, due to the (typically) high pH of these materials. That is why I used the alcohol-based Seal Coat on the white oak. You truly minimize the risk with white oak, by applying very thin coats of Seal Coat before using either USL, or the new (and latest) EM2000wvx alkyd varnish. The EM2000 sprays beautifully!
93mwm,
Thanks!
You have all made my day! Now I can go back to the shop and tackle the 8/4 boards for the top. If you have never used white oak: It is is heavy, hard, and tough as nails.
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com
lew
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4480 posts in 648 days
posted 302 days ago
Gorgeous Table! The combination of the two types of wood offers a stunning visual effect!
Good Luck in the contest.
Lew
Al Navas
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289 posts in 768 days
posted 302 days ago
Thanks, Lew. I appreciate your kind words. My client wanted something different. I have already kicked off the build of the full scale table so in the next few weeks I will know if my muscles need rescue… ;-)
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com
Dusty56
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3458 posts in 581 days
posted 300 days ago
Beautiful design and I really like the knot inclusion : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Al Navas
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289 posts in 768 days
posted 296 days ago
Thanks, Dusty!
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com