| Project by Brian Havens | posted 70 days ago | 350 views | 1 time favorited | 12 comments |  |
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First the disclaimer: I did not design this coffee table. It is from David Marks, WoodWorks, Episode 212 Bubinga-Veneer Coffee Table .
I did not change the design, except that I slightly changed the table top dimensions to match my Bubinga veneer. I wanted to see if I could replicate it without a plan, there were already enough new challenges, and I pretty much like the way David did his. There were several new challenges here, including shaping the legs. (It is difficult to see from the photo, but the outsides of the legs are not flat; they have a curve.) Except for roughing out the inside taper near the bottom of the legs, I shaped them by hand using a block plane, a spokeshave, a #80 cabinet scraper, and a card scraper (in that order).
Another challenge was the Ebony inlay between the Bubinga veneer and the Maple apron. I have done inlay before, but I had to do a lot of scarfing, since ebony does not exactly come in 40” lengths. I did not use a disc sander to do the scarf joints, however. The results are too visible. Instead I created a jig for making scarf joints with a block plane or small bench plane (e.g. #3).
-- —Brian — "There are no tricks; there are only techniques"
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12 comments so far
teenagewoodworker
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1932 posts in 210 days
posted 70 days ago
thats beautiful. the bubinga is gorgeous! thanks for the post!
BobR
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132 posts in 426 days
posted 70 days ago
Beautiful table. The workmanship looks great. Well done.
-- Bob
GaryK
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8401 posts in 430 days
posted 70 days ago
Looks great. Very nice execution!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Jeff_T
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31 posts in 114 days
posted 70 days ago
Very nice project, simple design but the wood and craftsmanship is superb.
-- Jeff T in Westport CT.
CharlieM1958
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3958 posts in 660 days
posted 70 days ago
Finish looks great!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
dewoodwork
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90 posts in 397 days
posted 70 days ago
Excellent work. I liked Davids table and was inspired by it as well. Your version looks awesome to me. Very nice finish as well.
-- Express creativity with wood, Dewayne. Vacaville CA.
Woodhacker
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438 posts in 165 days
posted 70 days ago
Brian, that’s truly beutiful! You did a great job on the construction. I love the top.
Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
Texasgaloot
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263 posts in 142 days
posted 69 days ago
That is simply elegant. You are rightly proud. Well done!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
Brian Havens
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36 posts in 248 days
posted 69 days ago
Thanks, everyone, for all the great feedback.
-- —Brian — "There are no tricks; there are only techniques"
Muzhik
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106 posts in 580 days
posted 68 days ago
One of my favorite DJM ‘Wood Works’ projects / episodes. I think it may have been the first one I saw. Your execution looks fantastic!
jockmike2
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4011 posts in 688 days
posted 67 days ago
Beautiful table, thanks for giving credit to the person who designed it. That was respectful.
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
SPHinTampa
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95 posts in 127 days
posted 65 days ago
Nice job … this is also one of my favorite Woodworks shows
-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn