10' Birds Eye Maple Dinning Table

Your Brother-in-law must have estatic. Nice table. Did you make him buy his own chairs?

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Interesting technique, Lee, to lighten the tabletop. How thick was your MDF substrate for the veneer? MDF itself is heavy, but the cardboard interior must have lightened up the whole thing. A beautiful job. And the leg detail is great too. Very innovative!

-- BarbS, Wenatchee WA

Karson;

Yes, I’m afraid I did make him get the chairs.

When he came to the shop to help me deliver it to his house, which was the day before Thanksgiving, he asked me if I would be insulted if his wife didn’t use the table. I told him no, because my wife told me she wouldn’t use it to serve a bunch of people the next day, if it were hers.

He said you don’t understand, she’ll never use it! Oh well, what can I say, it is her table, and that in itself is a great compliment.

I built it three years ago, and he was right, she has never used it. And to me that is a great compliment! She doesn’t want anything to happen to it.

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi BarbS;

Thank you for the compliments!

The M.D.F. is only 1/4” thick, which when applied to the honey comb, is extremely strong.

Thanks again;

Lee
http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Beautiful wood, nice job. Keep up the nice work. jockmike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Thank You Mike.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Sweet table. Building a great table is definitely on my list. Good work.

-- Measure twice!!

Beautiful work, Lee. Absolutely stunning. I had to think about the reaction of your brother-in-law’s wife’s (that makes her your sister, doesn’t it?). But after looking closely at the pictures, I think I understand her reaction.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

awe-some. Stunning design. And the techniques used, sound brilliant (I have no idea, being a “newbie” to woodworking).

I would have difficulties using this as well…

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

WOW what a beautiful table. Nice job.

-- Greg Mitchell--Lowell, AR--gdamitchell@sbcglobal.net

Thank you all for the nice comments.

No Don, it’s my wife’s brother.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Very beautiful Lee! Great choices of wood for the contrast.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Extraordinary design and stunning execution. I love the veneer work.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Thank you Bob;

It’s great fun doing these projects.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Yes, Lee, I forgot about that possibility. I just thought it might have been rather funny had it been your sister.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

great job! the veneering looks awesome!

-- jrlwoodworks

Hi jrlwoodworks;

Thank you for the kind words.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Roger,

Those two woods are some of my favorites. I use these together quite often.

I searched thru hundreds of flitches of birds eye to find the pieces I used. The birds eye was very consistant over the full length of the pieces.

I have a bad habit of buying veneer for the heck of it. When I go thru my veneer pile, it’s like Christmas. I’m always surprised at what’s there.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee, another awesome project! I may sell my tools and just live vicariously through you!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Thanks Mot.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Wow, what a great looking table. Quick question regarding the process. Looks like you’ll put the mdf in the middle over the honeycomb, and the mdf is attached to the stretchers (poplar?) and the rabbet, then the veneer is applied over the whole thing (after shaping?) and popped in a vacuum bag. Is there not a concern that the mahogany frame which appears quite wide will expand while the mdf won’t and potentially crack the veneer? Is there a rule of thumb you can use whereby you can disregard expansion?

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Hi Damian,

Great observations. You pretty much hit the nail on the head. The curves on the table required cutting a good deal of the Mahogany away. After the M.D.F. was glued in place, the curves were cut on the mahogany. The edges were shaped after the veneer was glued on. The underside was also veneered with a backer. The purpose was to keep an even “pull” on both sides of the Mahogany. After the finish is applied the expansion is negated, as the piece is sealed against any change in moisture, and the veneer on the top and bottom are applying a strong enough bond on the wood to make sure it can’t / won’t move. The adhesive used is uni bond 800, which is a urea resin glue, and is quite rigid. This helps as well, as it has no flex, so it too is helping in the fight for a movement free top. After three years, there has been no movement at all. (knock wood). The finish, conversion varnish, does provide a seal that is quite strong and does stop moisture infiltration.

A rule of thumb is NEVER disregard expansion. Design with it in mind, by either allowing it to take place, or stopping it from taking place. In most situations, it is better to allow it to take place, as fighting it is usually a lost cause.

Hope this answers your questions.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

The first word that came to mind was “stunning.” Then I read the comments and saw the same word appear several times.

I wish I had a brother-in-law like you!

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

Stunning Lee!! Please keep posting your art!!

-- http://rjoneswoodworks.com/

Hi Charlie M.,

Again, thank you for your comments!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Ron;

What art? I’m a plumber by trade. Actually I did apprentice for my father as a plumber. He was initially dissapointed in my desire to become a cabinet / furniture maker.

If it weren’t for an eye injury, I might still be a plumber. That injury caused me to start a construction business at age 19, to pay for the eye work. Since I wasn’t licensed as a master plumber, I couldn’t start a plumbing business, so I registered as a contractor in Philadelphia. That was thirty years ago. I still don’t have a master plumber license!

That eventually lead to cabinet making.

Oh yeah, somewhere along the line I got married, and now you know my life story!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Thanks for the explanation Lee, makes sense.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

No problem Damian.

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

I’m going to have to get a bib for all the drool. LOL. Excellent table! Where do you get resin coated honeycomb cardboard and pre formed quater round plywood? I’ve never heard of them. Great idea for reducing the weight of the table.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Hey Os;

The honey comb cardboard can be gotten from some cardboard companies. It is available resin coated or raw, meaning no resin. You want the resin coated. It is available in several thicknesses, and I get it in 2’ x 4’ sheets.
Some vacuum system suppliers sell it as well. I would google it to find a supplier in your area.

The pre formed plywood is available in several sizes, and in 1/4 round 1/2 round, and full round. This is available from commercial suppliers. Again, google it for your area.

Hope this helps,

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Thanks for the information, Lee. I’ll have to do that.

-- Jesus is Lord!

Hello Os,

No problem, my pleasure.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

What a great tale.I really like how you rose to the challenge even though it was quite daunting at first.You really carried this off well.Your workmanship is flawless.And the table is stunning.Wow!

-- " Stubborn tenacity substitutes for natural ability" ANDY

Hi Andy;

Thank you much for your kind works. Actually, while a bit challanging, it was also very satisfying.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Lee,
Looking at your projects this morning. I really like this table. Excellent craftsmanship. What style would you call it, Art Deco are maybe Biedermeier?

-- Dennis Zongker

Wow, beautiful looking table… your brother in law is a lucky guy.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

All I can say is ”WOW”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the post and ideas.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Hi Dennis;

As a big fan of your work, a big thank you!

I guess Art Deco is as good a classification as any.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Steve;

If you knew my brother in law, you would realize it is me who is the lucky one.

A truly great person! I would have rather married him instead of his sister, but he has hairy legs, and I just can’t accept that! lol.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi John;

All I can say is THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee, I missed this one before. That is one amazing use of materials.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Not many changes to it since the last time. Looks as good as new. LOL

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Hi Grumpy,

Thank you, it’s appreciated.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Karson;

Yeah, it looks to be holding up pretty well huh?

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com