Sofa table and side table

About 10 years ago when I first started my resurgence into wood working I build a couple of tables for some friends. A few months ago I was looking at those table and decided I needed to give it another try. I had seen Todd Clippenger’s “modern table” and liked the design. I asked Todd about it and he offered to send me a copy of his plans…so I owe him greatlly. I was able to modify those plans so that I could create the two tables seen here. The sofa table is made with poplar and birdseye maple and the side table is maple and birdseye. I dyed the poplar black and then stained it ebony. When I tried doing the same with the maple I was very unhappy with the outcome. Even though I sealed the maple with shellac before dying and staining, it was blotchy. Thus, I then sprayed both with black lacquer which was to be the end result anyway. They have about 8 coats of lacquer. I then sanded with 600 and proceeded to bring the shine up using pumice stone and rottenstone. The birdseye was sprayed with clear lacquer and then finished the same way. The final finish application was Meguiar’s #9 to polish it all off. Joinery was done using the Festool Domino system of loose tenons. The one thing that is a little different is that the birdseye inserts are just that…inserts.
They can be romoved and glass or other material can be inserted. A rabbit holds them in place. Thanks again to Todd…you were a great help buddy.

-- gbear, Carmichael, CA