LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

This is my first real project. My uncle is a master craftsman and he volunteered to help make this table with me and teach me some new skills. Unfortunately, his sons don't have the love of woodworking like he does. So, we had a great weekend making a table for my new house. As you can see, we have a wood top and metal base.

The top is made of hard maple. We utilized a planer, but left many of the saw marks on the top. My wife and I really like the rustic look. We utilized a domino cutter to do the joints (which is amazing). Then, we cut a 2 inch tongue the width of the table 48" to go into the dado cut into the butter board. We cut our own down plugs from walnut, which was really cool.

As for the base, he did most of the welding and I did most of the grinding. Sprayed with a flat black and then covered in lacquer.

The finish is a lacquer based stain from mohawk in colonial maple color. We used it as a wiping stain and only needed 1 coat. So far, I have applied 2 coats of tung oil for the final finish. I have 1 more to go and I will bring it on the house.

It is great to have a beautiful table, but better to learn about woodworking from someone who has spent his life working with wood.

Thanks for looking !!

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
54 Posts
That's a beauty. Building it with your uncle makes it all the more special. I see a lot off goodness surrounding that table. Well done.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
134 Posts
Thanks Rod!

I think we both wanted a few extra days of work, but my wife and I have a family heirloom that was created in a day and a half by our family.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
134 Posts
Someone brought o my attention that I may need more that Tung Oil if I want this thing to look good in the long run. Any ideas? Wax? Lacquer?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
133 Posts
I have an white oak dining room table I made 35 or 40 years ago and I finished it with clear urethane, (oil based), and it is still holding up pretty good. There has been a lots of dinners served at that table and a lot of home work and family meetings, and it still serves us well. I an a fan of urethane. I just finished a poplar and walnut table for my niece with 3 coats of oil based urethane on it . I'll post it when the last coat is cured. The amount of time and effort you put in your table should be preserved, use a good hard surface coat like urethane. Great job BTW.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
134 Posts
This may sound crazy, but I want this to be the beginning and not the end. I want this table to show wear and tear. I want to finish it again. I want to repair it.

One day, I will make an amazing table. When I make that one, I will probably protect it … But not today.

I am thankful for the advice, but I think I will leave it as is and see what happens.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
45 Posts
My parents still have an old ethan allen table that has all the marks, and even some of the writing we did as kids engrained in it. They wouldnt give it up for the world. Congratulations on your first project!! And I resonate withe everyone else that the time spent with your uncle is well spent, and so will be the time as a family sitting around your craftsmanship. I hope your interest stay perked and your passion for the craft grows. Lord knows we need more craftsmen in a disposable age.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
134 Posts
Klaus-Thanks for the kind words. I love looking at the table and I will enjoy it for years to come.
 
Top