Farm Table (Proud, but disappointed)

Oooo, you may be a little dissapointed, but i think the table is absolutely beautiful! The dark colour is proof of the age and patina of the wood. I wouldn’t have been able to contain myself with an opportunity to loot an old building like that. You can never have enough of that aged wood. To some that wood is more valuable than any exotic that you can buy in a store.

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

If you wanted this table to look like an antique, I don’t think you could have done a better job. I agree with BeachedBones that the finish is fine.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

That came out looking sweet. You should be proud of it.

-- Eric

Pine can be a booger to color evenly. As a rustic table / farm table I think it is appropriate to have a little bit of variation in the color. For lack of a better work, I think that makes it look “authentic”.

You started it and you finished it! Along the way you learned something. Job well done!

-- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Yes, later in life, your daughters will be fighting each other for it. Wish I could get my hands on recycled wood like that… for me, that would be preferable than using new wood.

The finish seems perfect for the style… take pride in it as is.

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

Good use of old used wood. I think a lot of people would love to have a table like that.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

The color is perfect for an old table. Just the way old shellac would age. Great job.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

You did a great job on the table. In no way would I be disappointed. Farm tables are supposed to look rustic and old. Job well done.

I am disappointed also, (disappointed that it is not in my own kitchen) . Great work.

-- ericandcandi, Louisiana- Home of the "LSU Tigers"

A great table. be proud or your work and listen to your wife. She loves it. If she didn’t she’ll tell ya.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I think the colour honours the history of the wood…
the table is WONDERFUL and I love it, too.
You had better start building something equally as beautiful so the girls don’t have to fight – and they will both want this!!
Well done.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

So. If you haven’t got it by now …. Good job.

The color’s fine. It may not be what you were originally shooting for, but it’s a pretty color on its own.

Lines are great and the finish, I think, does the piece justice.

I’m starting to get a hanker to start learning some M&T techniques. Thanks for the inspiration.

-- Making scrap with zen-like precision - Woodbutchery

man great looking table….good job

-- Todd, Oak Ridge, TN, Hello my name is Todd and I'm a Toolholic, I bought my last tool 10 days, no 4 days, oh heck I bought a tool on the way here! †

That table is perfect. The design, the lines, the wood, and the finish. You should be proud of it. I’d like to make something similar. Perhaps I could contact you to find out what you learned from it before I attempt it.

Wow! You are all confidence builders. Thank you for the kind reviews. I think I will stop complaining, and start enjoying.
My next endeavor will be to reclaim more of that wood before it goes up in smoke, so that I can take your advice Ms Debbie.
Davey, I’ll be more than happy to share my experience with this build.
Thanks again to you all. I feel better about it now.

Wow – I wish my first project was still in one piece let alone as something as beautiful as this table. May I suggest that under the top (if you have not already, either in sharpee of wood burner) sign your name, date, and where you got the wood and indicate that it was your first.

Your first (or second) born will treasure it forever and someday when she is moving or waxing the floors and the table gets turned over and she sees her daddy’s signature. Well, you know. . . . . .

A beautiful piece of furniture.

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

I agree with the others. I made a farm table using old floorboards from my 1735 house. It was a challenge to not make it “too perfect” because the table would not fit in. If the table was bright blonde pine you would lose all the charm. Let me also say that every ding, bump, scratch are welcome because it make the table that much more worn. This is the only piece of woodworking I can look at and not see the imperfections…because all the imperfections are supposed to be there.

Nice job and if nothing else think of the money you save by making the table and not paying for a class to learn everything you did :)

Lastly you have a story to tell. Everyone I have over to eat dinner we tell the story about reclaiming the lumber and the making of the table.

Tim

Nice looking table!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Have you got use to the color yet?

-- "Even small steps makes a distance." (Shawn Phillips, musician)

We are our own worst critics. We remember every flaw…and can see it stand out to the detriment of every nice piece that we did. That said…I don’t see anything there to complain about….to me it looks very good for a first or later attempt. Using reclaimed wood is a very difficult option….especially if you don’t have a bevy of tools to surface, straighten and edge the wood. Concentrate on the plus, leave the negative as part of the learning process…finish is a tough part of the project….after many years I still feel like an amateur when it comes to selecting…and applying the proper products….sometimes I feel like it is just luck…

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!