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Project Information

This is a New York Pembroke table, based on one made by Rob Millard (who, BTW, offers a very good DVD on making this table). Mine differs a bit from his, largely because it's a couple inches smaller and lower, but it's provenance is certainly visible.

(Apologies for the quality of these photos. I'm just not yet set up to take decent shots of larger pieces like furniture. But I'm working on that.)

A few folks around LJ may have seen my boxes, but I've long been interested in other areas of "making" as well, with period furniture one of the longest standing, but neglected areas, at least for the last few years. This table doesn't signal any major shift, but rather a return to making a few pieces that have long been on my project list.

The table is made of Honduras mahogany, with poplar secondary wood. The stringing and bell flowers are holly. The banding is holly and mahogany (cross-banded). The curved-front drawer is hand dovetailed, with an oval inlay of figured mahogany.

The finish is French polish (shellac) and rubbed back to a lightly satin surface, over Cuban red mahogany water soluble dye and dark toned grain filler. The whole thing was given an initial coat of yellow-brown maple dye to tone the holly down to look a bit more aged. The back side of the table mirrors the drawer side; same design and hardware.

I'm not a hand tool purist, but this kind of project lends itself to being done mostly with hand tools, and so it was. The inlays and stringing were done with Lie-Neilsen inlay tools designed by Steve Latta, and they work well indeed. The fly leaves hinge on traditional wood hinges, as did the original.

The cast brass pulls are from Londonderry Brasses, and the steel hinges from VanDyk Restorers. I burned the zinc plating off, soaked the hinges and screws for a day or so in vinegar, and left them outside to weather for a couple weeks to add a bit of patina. Much better.

While not a direct copy of an original piece, it's a table that "could" have been made in New York in 1790 or so. It's true to the general design and joinery of the period. The original probably would have had a single piece top, where I used a glue up, but other than that it's reasonably close.

Thanks for looking in. Next on the bench is a Goddard Newport tall case clock.

Roger

Gallery

Comments

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Roger that is a excellent piece of fine woodworking. Better than professional!!

thanks for sharing….................Jim
 

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This is one very classy piece of work Roger, tip of the hat to you sir
cheers
pete
 

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OK Roger. Now you're just showing off! :)
You already know what I think of this wonderful piece so no need for further gushing …... but man it looks nice in good light and better photos!
You have a right to have a pretty big grin on your face when you look at this one. Everything about it is "just right".
Well done my friend.
 

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Roger, to be totally honest, since the time you mentioned a few months back you would be starting on a Period piece, I have looked to get an email stating my buddy had posted such a piece. Well, a few minutes ago, I received the email from LJ's. Roger, this is outstanding and your workmanship, like always, is over the top as a master craftsman. This is also the furniture era I have the most interest in, and will mostly likely always will. You just added another project to my wish list. I have Rob Millard's DVD too, and this will be a good time to take another look at the DVD.

Thanks Roger for such as sensational piece of art. Added to favorites.
 

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Holy cow, that's beautiful. Truly museum quality.
 

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Once again Roger, Over the top ! wonderfully done and detailed, the pattern, the detail , the workmanship outstanding. You continue to be an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing. and Looking forward to the clock : )
 

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Beautiful job Roger. Thanks for sharing.
 

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Great job Roger. Another class act piece of woodworking on your part.
Richard
 

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Wow - lots of talent/skill in that table. The finish is amazing. You should be very proud of this piece. Just gorgeous.
 

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That is an amazing table!
 

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Talk about a museum piece. It just makes me sick to look at it (in a good way). I'm so proud of myself for having a Buddy who can do stuff like this. It's breath taking, Roger. I'm stunned.
 

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Beautiful table…I love it.
 

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Roger, that thing is incredible. You are one hell of a craftsman.
 

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The only word left is exquisite, and this piece is just that.
 

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Amazing
 

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Roger, you're a multi- talented guy. What a beautiful piece, it looks as true to the period as any others that I've seen. your craftsmanship is as always, impeccable.,and I like that you used hand tools to create this piece, also true to the period. I have to say, like a lot of other woodworkers I have a shop full of machines as well as the hand tools. The hand tools were good enough for our fore fathers , why not us. As you know some of the most beautifully designed and crafted furniture ever made , was made with hand tools by excellent craftsmen ( John and Thomas Seymore for example ). These days I'm leaning more and more to my hand tools, and being inspired by people like you and other master craftsmen like Paul Sellers of GB. Thanks for posting
 
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