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Kitchen Worktable

Project by milehigh posted 229 days ago 766 views 2 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites Watch

I submit my first project for your viewing(or not) pleasure. A few years back i built my kitchen cabinets and thought about an island,but the kitchen was too small. Finally figured out that i could make a 36” tall table for prepwork. There were no hard and fast plans or even sketches. We had a small rack of maple in the shop,so that became the top. My cabinets are maple with a small cherry quirkbead arond the doors and drawers, so i made the rest of the table with cherry. I would call my lumber dealer and have him pick out some wood and have my brother pick it up, as there is not decent material where i live. First was the 8/4 for the legs, that i was going to make straight. It was 36×8 and i decided to punt because i thought the square legs would be too spindly(structurally and asthetically). I ripped the board in half and then ripped those in half with a taper from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 for tapered faces and straight sides. Next were the aprons and i called the dealer and had him rip a 12 foot 4/4 board into 3- 4 footers “oh about 6 ” wide” to be able to fit into my brothers sedan. These were joined to the legs with sliding doveteils, so it left no room for error. The last trip over, brought me some 6/4 for the breadboards and stretchers. This was a 10 footer ripped into a 6 and 4 foot piece, and i was able to (barely) get all my material from the short piece working around a large knot.
My scrap pile on this project was essentiall nil and am probably most proud of that. My feet were held to the fire and there was no extra materil in the wood rack. Reading an backissue the other night, C. Schwartz stated we are the only critics we can trust, and family and even anonymous internet comments are candy coated. Please be candid on proportion, style, etc. One pic shows 2 different handles taped on for opinions also.
Sorry to be sooo wordy on my first post
Paul


18 comments so far

View Tom Goodman's profile

Tom Goodman

127 posts in 1025 days


posted 229 days ago

Looks fantastic. Great job

-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com

View Randy Sharp's profile

Randy Sharp

198 posts in 565 days


posted 229 days ago

Nice looking project. And, super job of being thrifty on materials! I like the knob, verses the handle. It seems to fit the overall theme of the project. Thanks for posting a beautiful piece of work.

-- Randy, Tupelo, MS ~ May I become more like the Master Carpenter every day.

View kolwdwrkr's profile

kolwdwrkr

2248 posts in 483 days


posted 229 days ago

Nice table. The proportions look fine but it’s hard to judge from a picture, but in comparison to the space it looks good. I actually really like the style. I like the breadboard ends being the cherry. Adds to the look. I will say that the knob and pull would go back into the storage bin. I would make my own pulls for this table. Maybe even in the maple. All in all you have a nice little table here. Well done.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7611 posts in 1111 days


posted 229 days ago

I think it is a great looking table. Like Randy, I prefer the knob.

If you insist on some constructive criticism, the following is just my personal opinion:

I’d like the top not quite as thick, and with slightly less overhang all the way around. But again, that’s strictly personal preference.

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

View HenryH's profile

HenryH

38 posts in 297 days


posted 229 days ago

Very well done. I would go with the turned knob.

-- HenryH - PA

View ShopDogs's profile

ShopDogs

17 posts in 250 days


posted 229 days ago

I like the contrasting wood. I too, like the wooden knob. One day I will have to build a big island for the kitchen. Thanks for the posting.

-- ShopDogs, Tulsa, OK

View Chris's profile

Chris

300 posts in 251 days


posted 229 days ago

I like the table proportions, but it is kind of tough from a picture. Definitely (IMO) a knob for the pulls. And i would normally agree with Charlie about the top thickness, but I think in a kitchen it’s going to look great. Sorry if it seems artificailly sweetened, but I don’t see much to throw rocks at here.

-- Chris

View martin007's profile

martin007

110 posts in 668 days


posted 229 days ago

I love the front apron and drawers.

I prefer ther knob

Great work!

-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec

View milehigh's profile

milehigh

47 posts in 233 days


posted 229 days ago

What an active forum you guys have. I really do appreciate the constructive criticism. A great way to look at things differently. With no plans the proportions just kind of took care of themselves. You will love this one. I glued up 4-7 1/2” wide pieces for the top and after doing a trial run on the dull 8” jointer that pulled some big chunks out of the changing grain. Decided to run the pieces through the benchtop planer and get them to thickness with light cuts on both sides. On the very last pass with the very last section, somehow the stand alone infeed roller caught and and it lifted off the ground and the planer gouged a swath about 1/8” deep along about 2 feet out of the middle of the section. And you guessed it, just opposite the side thet was chunked out by the jointer. This dictated my thickness.

Paul

View Mike67's profile

Mike67

5 posts in 229 days


posted 229 days ago

I agree re: the knob. Looks great and I like the top for a kitchen.
What finish did you use on the top?

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7611 posts in 1111 days


posted 229 days ago

Paul, if I has a nickel for every time I modified my design due to an accident of some sort, I could quit my day job.

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

View doctortommy's profile

doctortommy

8 posts in 233 days


posted 229 days ago

Fantastic work milehigh!! proportions look good, nice contrasting wood choice,beautiful finish what did you use? keep up the good work!!

doctor tommy-michigan

-- doctortommy, michigan

View Beginningwoodworker's profile

Beginningwoodworker

4123 posts in 566 days


posted 229 days ago

Nice looking table.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

View Dwain's profile

Dwain

38 posts in 752 days


posted 229 days ago

I think you have a beautiful piece there. I believe the thicker top gives it a bit of a butcher block feel. I think the breadboard ends could be a little bigger; as they seem too “stubby” at the ends of the table. Is that cherry for the breadboard ends? You have done some beautiful work here. I appreciate you taking the time to provide photos and detail your work.

-- When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there is no end to what you CAN'T do

View milehigh's profile

milehigh

47 posts in 233 days


posted 229 days ago

I appreciate all the feedback guys. Looks like the knob is unanimous(sp). After i took the photos yesterday, i went out and bought some black knobs,but you guys verified it. The finish was 2 coats waterlox original followed by 3 coats waterlox satin. All wiped on.

Paul

View dustyal's profile (online now)

dustyal

443 posts in 368 days


posted 229 days ago

Well done. Go with the wood knob. I have a prep table sitting next to me of about the same dimensions that I use as a point of reference. It doesn’t have the breadboard, it doesn’t have the drawers, and it doesn’t have the leg stretchers. Okay, it is a top, aprons, and four legs… I like your stretchers… that’s what caught my eye… Without stretchers, I can roll a cart underneath for a little space savings. Hmmm, form over function or is it the other way around? My reference table has a little less overhang on the ends and the top is not quite as thick… so I’m wondering which I would prefer as to style and utility. Your table is much more aesthetically better looking and of much higher quality.

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

View marcb's profile

marcb

696 posts in 566 days


posted 229 days ago

I just need to throw in a vote for the bow handle. I like a little splash of metal on a project like that. Depending on what your kitchen hardware looks like a brushed nickel would go really well withe the coloring.

View Jon3's profile

Jon3

439 posts in 998 days


posted 228 days ago

I prefer the knob.

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