Project Information
This is a Baltic Pine Coffee Table fitted with a 6 mm toughened glass top. The two shaped under frames were laminated from 3 thicknesses of timber to strengthen joints the glue used was PVA. The four legs were all cut from the solid and the intersection between the legs and the under frames was a halving joint that was quite difficult to mark out because of the curve on curve work. The under frames and legs had a 6mm radius applied to all edges after the frames were assembled. The stretcher rails were turned to 20mm diameter with a 15 mm spigot on each end.The two assembled frames were then cramped together and marked out for the stretcher rails, care needed with this process to maintain a pair and an accuracy so the stretchers are all uniformly spaced, they were then drilled 15mm x 20mm deep, then after cleaning all of these components up the under frame with the stretchers was assembled.The top was rebated for the glass top before it was mitered at each corner with 2 -10mm x 40mm long dowels to each joint, after assembly the top was cleaned up. The under frame and legs were attached to the top with a single dowel and a pocket screw to each meeting point. the final dimension for the glass was determined and the glass ordered. A final clean-up was given to the timber structure (finishing with 320 grit paper) and the table finished using a cellulose sander sealer and 3 coats of melamine lacquer, finally rubbing down with a oooo grade wire wool and wax. The table made about 6 years was deliberately made "chunky" as requested by its final owner and I understand it is in daily use today. I have included two of my drawings in the hope that this helps to clarify the construction. Sadly because they have had to be converted to jpeg to place on this site they have lost quite a lot in definition but, i think they will convey the message.
My own thoughts about this project is I don't like pine for furniture because I believe it is too soft and damages far to easily, but in some strange way this adds to its attraction. I would much have preferred this project to have been Oak, Ash or Beech, but this is as my cousin asked so be it.
My own thoughts about this project is I don't like pine for furniture because I believe it is too soft and damages far to easily, but in some strange way this adds to its attraction. I would much have preferred this project to have been Oak, Ash or Beech, but this is as my cousin asked so be it.