OSB Bedside Tables

You make some amazing furniture with some interesting, and obviously, personal choice decisions about materials. I have heard of OSB, but I had to review what it was and how it was made. I kinda like limits in what I do, it makes it a lot more fun. I have limited to some extent my expenditures on tools especially, and haven’t bought any expensive wood in any case, since I am just getting into the hobby. But I have been making utility objects for nearly 40 years.

Thanks for the most educational post. I rummaged through your other novel projects as well. You opened up a new avenue of thought for me…........

-- Jim, Anchorage Alaska

they are certianly very interesting.

-- Dave from "The Sawdust Shed"

Those are pretty sweet

-- - Jei, Rockford IL - When in doubt, spray it with WD-40 and wrap it with duct tape. The details will attend to themselves.

You have an interesting choice in wood. I was just wondering, during the project how long did it take to bend those thick peices of wood, and in picture three, what was the point of hanging those peices?

-- "May you live in interesting times"

Bob, another really cool looking project. I really like the idea of the spinning bookcases on the night stand, the wife and I are constantly having to deal with stuff falling off the nightstand.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

cool and very unique.

-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!

Thanks for your comments everyone.

To answer some questions;
Jim Bertelson – I like regular wood as well, but for ordinary everyday objects, I also like to experiment with materials – especially those which are easier on the environment. I’ve got some interesting plans for plywood as well.
Dean – The thicker pieces are not bent, they are mitered at 30 degrees and glued – look at the bluemelon.com site for details.
Clieb91 – Thanks – I guess we’re not the only people who like to read in bed
Dean – The things hanging are the cross-pieces which form the core of the lazy susan book containers. They are there to show one of my favorite methods for finishing shelf-like pieces – I staple them to pieces of wire coat hanger on the invisible side, and hang them for varnish and drying. Thanks for reminding me to describe those.

Clieb91 and Rex – Nice to see your families too – I’ll just bet you’re at the “more help than you can use” stage

-- Bob www.singularengineering.com - A sideline, not how I earn a living

SWEET! I have no problems whatsoever with the use of OSB…Imagine- in the middle ages, a wood panel assembled from thousands of little pieces of wood would have been worthy of royalty :)

-- Jon

I would love to see you extend this idea. I love the OSB. I can also imagine this design would be ready made for veneers and some marquetry. What do think?

-- Max the "night janitor" at www.hardwoodclocks.com

Very nice design. I think I’ll build some. My first thought is what if instead of drawer, there were more compartments that spun open. Just a thought. Great idea though!!

-- Rogue

Great use of economical wood! Great Job!

-- If you don't work, you don't eat!.....Garland, TX

I like this. At an art fair, I ran across a man who did a sculpture out of OSB. He glued up layers till he had a 5 foot tall piece, and then made a huge vase out of it. It was beautiful, shiny, and unusual. Great design.

Thanks Charles – I agree, this would make some pretty inlay or marquetry. As for veneer, theres a limit to how thin you can get this stuff – below 1/8” it starts falling apart – although varnishing one side of it might allow it to hang together more – I’m intending to do some experiments.

I’ve already tested and verified that by baking it in the oven (275F for 2 hours) it becomes noticeably darker.

-- Bob www.singularengineering.com - A sideline, not how I earn a living

Exceptionally cool woodworking project. You pulled it off beautifully.

-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/

Wow.

OSB. Who’da’ thunk it.

The end result is awesome.

I’ve always thought of OSB as I think of Denny’s Restaurants—rarely my first choice—but … you’ve just made the Grand Slam Breakfast look mighty tasty!!

-- -- Neil