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Project Information

This table is made of Alder and is my own design. The base is a trestle where I utilized twin stretchers that are assembled using a tapered mortise with a wedge made of Sapele. These are through tenons as you can see in one of the detail photos. My inspiration for this came from a table made by Gary Rowgoski that was shown in Fine Woodworking Magazine.

The top is different from any I've seen, you'll notice that there are spaces in-between the boards. Generally, outdoor tables end up being cupped and warped just because they're outdoors and victim of the elements! I created an outer framework ( 1 3/8" thick Alder) that was mortised and tenoned together. There are also two additional pieces mortised and tenoned to the long side as well-they are spaced about 3/8" apart. The infill pieces have tongues on them which fit into grooves that were cut on the insides of the end and middle pieces. Before assembly, they were pre-finished with Watco Exterior Oil and once assembled they are pinned from the bottom at their centers. The thought is that since there is a 1/4" space between each of them they will be able to expand/contract with seasonal changes in the grooves without cupping. Only a year outdoors will tell if that theory of mine is correct!

The table measure 3' wide and is 6' 6" long and easily seats 6. It may seem a bit complicated but if you're interested in the construction here's a link to my final blog about it: https://woodworksbyjohn.com/2017/08/07/patio-table-is-done/

Gallery

Comments

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That is nice work. I doubt something like that would last in my neck of the woods in the Mid Atlantic however. Not unless it was dipped in epoxy many layers deep!
 

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Anxious to see how it reacts to our temperature swings of 50°-120° here too; at least it'll never be covered by a couple of feet of snow!

That is nice work. I doubt something like that would last in my neck of the woods in the Mid Atlantic however. Not unless it was dipped in epoxy many layers deep!

- ScottKaye
 

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Nice work. Love the design.
 

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Great piece, I really dig it
 
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