Project Information
I created this as a gift for my Parents. They wanted to get rid of an 80's style box shaped coffee table that is currently taking up most of their living room.
All they specified was wanting "a simple dark table in the mission / craftsman style". They also gave me the exact dimensions for the top and the height.
I just could NOT make them a plain simple table - no way, no how! So, the "dark table" part turned into figured walnut. I did stick to the style they wanted but "dialed it up a notch" with maple plugs and thicker slats on the sides.
Still, it just didn't cut it - something was missing. I needed to make it more personal to THEM. I began thinking about where they are from and all the maple trees that surrounded their house and decided to try inlaying for the very first time. I REALLY want to thank the Wood Whisperer for his video on inlaying - it helped me tremendously! As you can see in one of the pics, the leaves are 1/8" thick and actually set into the solid inch thick top - not an easy feat! I did five practice leaves before I felt confident enough to try this. It took over six hours of work just for the inlays. What wood did I use for the Maple Leaves? Maple, of course!
Everything actually went together very well once I drew out the plans. No big issues or problems. Finished with five to six coats of Danish Oil applied with 0000 Steel Wool. The top also has four of five coats of furniture wax. Overall dimensions are 20" Wide, 40" Long and 16" High.
Take the time to view the video on inlay - it's WAY worth your time. Thanks again Mark!!!! http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-based-inlay/
My folks are going to see this today for the first time and I think I am more excited than they are!
I LOVED every part of this build - Cheers!
-bob
All they specified was wanting "a simple dark table in the mission / craftsman style". They also gave me the exact dimensions for the top and the height.
I just could NOT make them a plain simple table - no way, no how! So, the "dark table" part turned into figured walnut. I did stick to the style they wanted but "dialed it up a notch" with maple plugs and thicker slats on the sides.
Still, it just didn't cut it - something was missing. I needed to make it more personal to THEM. I began thinking about where they are from and all the maple trees that surrounded their house and decided to try inlaying for the very first time. I REALLY want to thank the Wood Whisperer for his video on inlaying - it helped me tremendously! As you can see in one of the pics, the leaves are 1/8" thick and actually set into the solid inch thick top - not an easy feat! I did five practice leaves before I felt confident enough to try this. It took over six hours of work just for the inlays. What wood did I use for the Maple Leaves? Maple, of course!
Everything actually went together very well once I drew out the plans. No big issues or problems. Finished with five to six coats of Danish Oil applied with 0000 Steel Wool. The top also has four of five coats of furniture wax. Overall dimensions are 20" Wide, 40" Long and 16" High.
Take the time to view the video on inlay - it's WAY worth your time. Thanks again Mark!!!! http://thewoodwhisperer.com/router-based-inlay/
My folks are going to see this today for the first time and I think I am more excited than they are!
I LOVED every part of this build - Cheers!
-bob