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
19 comments so far
Tom Goodman
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197 posts in 2329 days
#1 posted 1534 days ago
Looks fantastic. Great job
-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com
Randy Sharp
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322 posts in 1870 days
#2 posted 1534 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 ~ A man who honors his wife will have children who honor their father.
kolwdwrkr
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2821 posts in 1788 days
#3 posted 1534 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 ~
CharlieM1958
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14937 posts in 2416 days
#4 posted 1534 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"
HenryH
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124 posts in 1602 days
#5 posted 1534 days ago
Very well done. I would go with the turned knob.
-- HenryH - PA
ShopDogs
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228 posts in 1555 days
#6 posted 1534 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 The tools aren't the problem-It's the organic interface!
Chris
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338 posts in 1555 days
#7 posted 1534 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
martin007
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141 posts in 1973 days
#8 posted 1534 days ago
I love the front apron and drawers.
I prefer ther knob
Great work!
-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec
milehigh
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54 posts in 1538 days
#9 posted 1534 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
Mike67
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62 posts in 1534 days
#10 posted 1534 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?
CharlieM1958
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14937 posts in 2416 days
#11 posted 1534 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"
doctortommy
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8 posts in 1538 days
#12 posted 1534 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
Beginningwoodworker
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13238 posts in 1870 days
#13 posted 1534 days ago
Nice looking table.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Dwain
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293 posts in 2057 days
#14 posted 1534 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
milehigh
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54 posts in 1538 days
#15 posted 1534 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
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