| Project by ben | posted 609 days ago | 877 views | 4 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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This is a small breakfast table that I started while taking a 6 day course with Jeff Lohr. Since that time it has received 3 coats of Original Waterlox and a single coat of Minwax wipe-on poly. Both were applied with lint-free paper towels, and wiped down after 10 minutes. I may still wax the top.
I was inspired by Don Kondra’s improving my photography skills post to try a backdrop and some lighting. The backdrop sheet helped, but the lighting was actually worse than my small camera’s flash. Needless to say, it takes more gear than a pocket size camera. Still, these pics are better than my first batch in the basement, but don’t do justice to the walnut inlays.
This is my first finished piece of substantial furniture. I made every single cut, joint and mistake that you see here.
-b































17 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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20629 posts in 716 days
posted 609 days ago
Ben,
Every single inlay, joint and cut that you made looks just fine. The patterned walnut inlays add some interesting details to the table. I really like the curved rails and tapered legs.
This is a very nice piece of furniture. If you had been graded on it I am sure you would have received an A.
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
ND2ELK
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6174 posts in 668 days
posted 609 days ago
Ben
You did a beautiful job on this table. You should be pleased the way it turned out. I think your pictures look fine. Thank you for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
DocK16
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710 posts in 981 days
posted 609 days ago
I’ve done inlays and know how difficult they can be to get a nice clean edge, these are crisp and sharp. Care to share your particular technique
-- DocK, WV
darryl
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1392 posts in 1220 days
posted 608 days ago
the table looks fantastic.
the inlays add a very cool element as well
I think the pics came out great as well.
-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com
Grant Davis
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481 posts in 802 days
posted 608 days ago
Very eye appealing, I live the inlay work on the top and the wood contrast
-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"
ben
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158 posts in 764 days
posted 608 days ago
Dock,
Pretty straightforward process for these:
I drew my line on cardboard by drawing an L with a carpenter’s square, and the matching curve with a batten. I divided both into 7 lines evenly along the lines, and connected the dots. Then I transferred the points form cardboard to each side of the top. Then I drew the lines on the wood, and used a trim router w/ clamped straight edge to cut the channels (1/4” bit w/ ~1/8” depth, iirc). Then Clean out the corners with a chisel, hand fit the actual inlay pieces to length. Glue, tap in and dry, then hand plane out the tops, and voila! Inlays.
-b
ben
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158 posts in 764 days
posted 608 days ago
Thanks guys.
Unfortunately, I have to politely disagree with you guys on the pics. Perhaps I’m just disappointed because I played around with the sheet and lighting and camera a fair bit and got nothing out of it. But they are definitely better than the other ones that I took with no backdrop.
-b
Mario
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882 posts in 945 days
posted 608 days ago
Very nice, I really like the inlay work.
-- Hope Never fails
CharlieM1958
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7623 posts in 1112 days
posted 608 days ago
Excellent work!
A photo tip for those of us with nothing more than an inexpensive digital camera: Whenever possible, take your project outdoors on a sunny day to photograph it. The natural light and sharp shadows will really make it stand out.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
SPalm
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948 posts in 776 days
posted 608 days ago
Very nice Ben. I remember when you were working on this, nice to see it finished.
Like Charlie mentioned, outdoors helps a lot for the photos. Even on a cloudy day.
Just a thought, I used a table cloth instead of a sheet the last time I took some. It had more of a luster to it, they also come in colors.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Betsy
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2386 posts in 790 days
posted 608 days ago
That is one cool table. I think the inlays are brilliantly placed. Well done!
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
rikkor
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11335 posts in 768 days
posted 608 days ago
Wow, that is nice inlay work. Good job.
GaryK
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9521 posts in 882 days
posted 608 days ago
I remember this! It turned out great!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Lakey
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99 posts in 666 days
posted 607 days ago
Ben – this is really great. I love how thoughtfully you laid out the inlay. Very nice – you should be proud.
—Lakey
-- "No Board Left Behind"
dalec
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580 posts in 782 days
posted 607 days ago
Inlaying job is beautify and great contrast with the walnut.
Dalec
jeanmarc
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1751 posts in 610 days
posted 533 days ago
Excellent work!
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Dusty56
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3460 posts in 582 days
posted 384 days ago
this is one purty table ….the inlay adds so much to the piece : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .