Griffin End Table

awesome piece of work

what timber did you use ? very nice photos

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

Wow…I am humbled. This is really esquisite work.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

WOW

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

holy simoles thats amazing. I agree its not overdone. Surely one of the finest pieces of wood art we have seen.

My goodness Dennis, this is fantastic! You’ve done an incredible job on this table. There are so many things I like about this. It’s all exceptional…the carvings, inlay, marquetry, design…wow.

I have two questions. Is that cherry?, and What do you do for an encore after something like this?

Thanks for posting it.

-- Martin, Kansas

Absolutely stunning. You are a true artist and a craftsman. Thank you for sharing.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

This is a pretty amazing piece of work. The carving is great and the top is exceptional. The inlay is very impressive. and the rose is beautiful. You must be very proud. Congratulations.

-- John

WOW!! AAA+++, I don’t know what to say!!

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

What a work of art- outstanding craftsman ship

-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,

Holy crap, that’s amazing !

WOW! Exquisite detail and design. A true work of art. You are a true craftsman of your craft. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

absolutely stunning

-- www.robneves.com

That is one amazing end table!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Amazing. Absolute.

-- Measure once cut twice....oh wait....ooops.

Hi Dennis;

Welcome to lumberjocks!

There’s a lot of great people here, and were all waiting to learn from you!

Again, welcome.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

This goes head and shoulders over craftsmanship. This is pure, unalloyed artistry.
Sir, my hat is off to you, with a courtly bow. Namasté.

I just noticed you too are from Omaha. Hard to believe I hadn’t heard of you. Do you shop at Midwest Woodworkers? I’ll have to ask Ann and Harvey, and Dewey Smith if they know you.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Everyone has already said everything that entered my mind. I can only repeat…WOW, AMAZING, STUNNING, FANTASTIC. I bow to the Master.

-- Darell, Norman, Ok.

you said
This piece of furniture took me around 1100 hours to make. *
I say,
1100 words can’t describe your sculpturing skills and the piece of art you’ve produced.

Bravo this is beyond imagination

I’m blown away. Fantastic!

-- I love dogs. People, not so much.

I’m sitting here shaking my head… this is amazing.
All the details and you are right – it’s not overpowering.

I agree with everything said above…
Truly amazing work

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Dennis,

This is simply a gorgeous piece of artwork. With the detail that you put into it I can well understand why it took 1100 hours. This is a marvelous piece.

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed looking at this piece.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Oh my God! I couldn’t imagine someone having so much talent, skill and patience to design and carry out a stunning piece like this. This is not only the greatest work I’ve ever seen but I think it is the gratest I will ever see.
You surely won or will win a lot of contests with this amazing piece of artwork.

What are you going to do with it? I think it is hardly possible to find a person who deserves to buy it. It’s place is in an exhibition or something like that if not in your house, I think.

I wish youl have very long life and give more pieces of diamonds like this in the treasure chest of woodworking!

WOW!!!! Your talent in design and execution is inspiring.
Like nothing i`ve seen.
Did you build it for yourself or was it commissioned.
What would you charge for a piece like this?
Truly one of a kind.
Thanks for setting a new bar of excellence.

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

Truly an awesome job Dennis! Double WOW!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

I am truly humbled! Simply stunning work!

-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"

Absolutely beautiful! I would love to have just a fraction of your talent.

-- Doug, Cass City, Michigan

I can’t say more than what has already been said, but I’m stunned.

One thought that crossed my mind: Imagine what you would have to charge to make this for someone if you were going to earn a decent hourly wage! :-)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Dennis a fantastice piece of wood art. Your talent and skills shows brightly. WOW is about all I can say.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Holy S* that’s incredible!

Excellent work.

-- jeanmarc manosque france

Awesome piece. That is table is just amazing. Great job!!

-- Steve-o

Dennis, you are the menace! This is a beautiful piece of furniture art! Thanks for letting us take a look.

Was this table for your home or did you make this for say, Donald Trump?

1100 hours times $00.00 (fill in your hourly rate) = $000,000.00

Did you notice I left room for six figures?

Look forward to seeing your next “little” project. Welcome, LJ!!!

-- Makin' Sawdust!!!

Ditto!

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

Absolutely amazing craftsmanship. If I ever produce one piece of work nearly that quality in my life,
I’ll be happily satisfied with my woodworking accomplishments.
Bravo!!!

-- Gary, Florida

WOW! I stand at my computer applauding a Master Craftsman…. that is stunning!

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

I wanted to thank all of you for the compleiments. It’s a great feeling to get compliments from talented woodworkers. I’ts like being in a woodworking family. Thank you.

-- Dennis Zongker

Beautiful Work, surely something fit for a Assyrian king….

-- Frank, Little River/Academy, Texas , http://www.allthingsrustix.com

You are one with nature…wood …and spirit….wow!!!!

This is one of the coolest tables I have ever seen!!!!! You did a great job on it. How long have you been woodworking and did you go to a school? Did you come up with someone in your family woodworking? Will you move to California and teach me everything you know? Do you sell your stuff? If you dont you should. There just two things I can see wrong with it, Its not in my house!!! and I didnt make it!!!
Beatiful craftsmanship.!!!!!! What elss can be said but WOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!

-- Davesfunwoodworking

Dennis – you have a massive talent. Congratulations on the table – it is superb.

I think I saw one of these at IKEA.

.

OK, KIDDING! This is phenomenal.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

I want to add my compliments and say that I, too, am curious about the wood used, especially for the carving.
Wonderful work, great design, and the marquetry is such a beautiful part of it.
Christina

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Dennis-
That table is superbvious.
Please, please, post a blog with more details.

Welcome to lumberjocks + one superpro.

Thanks for posting

-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture

completly stunning, words can’t describe how beautiful this it….

-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug

Absolutely stunning, wow.

-- Andy Stark

I am amazed at the level of craftsmanship. What a superb job.

-- Garyb6, “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” - Albert Einstein

I’m still trying to figure out how to use all the different ways to email on lumberjocks. It might take me awhile. I can’t seam to find “Spell Check” anywere. This is a very nice place for woodworkers. Everyone seems to have alot of talent, with a good personalty.

-- Dennis Zongker

Dennis if you use Firefox as your browser, it will spell check as you type, and the dictionary updates periodically. It still doesn’t get a few of the more common woodworking phrases, but it does help keep things coherent.

As a custom furniture maker, did you have a commission for this piece or did you do it as a labor of love only (it’s obviously a labor of love either way)?

If there is anything I can do to aid you in your LJ experience, feel free to ask.
This is a great group of men and women (with some exemplary teenagers as well, I’m sure you will run across Denny The Teenage Woodworker in your travels here).

The site has every specialty represented: lumbermen, turners, box-makers, door-makers, cabinetmakers, technocrats, neanderthals and furniture makers as well as some pretty heavy hitters in the web-world (Marc and Nicole Spagnuolo (The WoodWhisper), Neil Lamens (Furnitology), Lee Jesberger of Prowoodworking Tips and Ezee-Feed fame and Charles Neil, and some just plain good folk who will brighten your day and share their ideas, aspirations, musical compositions (CharlieM1958) and experiences.

And then of course there is the genius behind the site Martin Sojka and our Community Manager MsDebbieP who provide the framework and the heart and soul for this wonderful forum. I hope you love it here. I sure do.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Simply beautiful work sir.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

...something from an other time. Stunning

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

This looks like a museum piece. just incredible!

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

Absolutely speechless! I am humbled to be a part of this community.

-- Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog

You’re patience far exceeds mine. I am not able to do 1100 hours without putting it on the backburner for a liifetime. Nice to say the least

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Such awesome talent,great details,this has to be the coolest table i have ever seen,thanks for sharing this
Thanks Fritz

That’s it. I quit!!

Superb! is the best word I could come up with . . . but that doesn’t begin to describe it . . .

-Brian

You win. That’s awesome work. My hat is off to you.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

Hi Arianna, I added three more pictures. Also on the finish, I used a clear polyurethane. On the top I sprayed 11 coats, & wet sanded each coat with 400 grit sand paper. Then after I sprayed one more coat. I wet sanded with 1200 & 2000 & 4000 then I used a car buffer and a fine compound & buffed it until it looked like glass. Thank you for your complements. Dennis

-- Dennis Zongker

This table I keep at my office. I’m righting a how to do book on this piece. It will cover all the steps. Starting with design, engineering, joinery, a clay sculptor of the griffin, carving, inlay, parqutery, marquetry, & finishing. It’s alot harder then I thought it would be to right about each step with pictures. I took over 2,500 pictures just on this one piece. And only using about 300 pictures.

-- Dennis Zongker

Can’t wait for the book! Really nice work too.

always,
J.C.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

Thank’s J.C. I shound be completed with the book in about a year. I only have about a hour a day to work on it.

-- Dennis Zongker

Yeah, I’m sold. Put me on the pre-sell list… lol. That would be worth reading.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

This is a work of art.

-- Michael A. Brailsford

Some times I wounder if righting a” how to book” would be worth the time. I don’t know if anyone would ever buy one. I just got done righting a artical in woodcarving Illustrated. It will be out in august. The publisher was very happy with it. I’m hoping other woodcarvers will like it.

-- Dennis Zongker

I’ve read many comments by others on this, I also am totally blown away at this piece, and am on my knees bowing and saying “I’m not worthy” I have to ask, what are the woods and what is the rose in the center made from, natural colored wood or aneline dyed or what? I just joined up after hearing of this site today, my work has been in Florida Design magazine, numerous art galleries and one museum, but dude, you are far better than I. Most of my work is in stone work, which I got into after more than 20 years doing wood, metal and glass, would love to work with you on a project, with some of my stone work. God has truly blessed you with an incredible talent.

-- Dan Wiggins

Hi Savannah505,
Thank you very much for your kind compliments. I still feel like like theirs so much more for me to learn. Everyday I try to improve my skills. I would Love to work with you on a project.
The top marquetry has myrtle burl, dark and light, as the back ground veneer. The rest of the top has purpleheart, fruitwood, red beech, white oak, all natural veneer. Most of the rose petals and leafs are shaded with hot sand. Then clear coated with polyurathane. The whole carcas and griffins, are out of basswood. I bleached the basswood and used a aneline dye. Then stained the lions face and maine with a yellow toner, then a brown toner. Then I stained the whole piece with a mix of five different stains. And sprayed it with three coats of clear natural polyurathane. The top has 11 clear coats with no stain. I wet sanded each coat with 400 grit. On the last coat I sanded with 1200 to 2000 to 4000, then used a car buffer with a fine compound until it looked like glass.

-- Dennis Zongker

Hi Arianna,
That you for kind words about righting my book. I’m self taught, I have over 1200 woodworking books in my library.

-- Dennis Zongker

very very majestic piece- thank for sharing !!!

-- NW wood worker

HOLY masterpiece batman… that is amazing work!

-- making sawdust....

Hi Arianna, Right now I’m working on a Decroative parquetry dinning table. I should be done in about a month. I can’t wait to post it here on lumberjocks.

-- Dennis Zongker

I have no words worthy of lauding your work.

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Thank you Beechpilotbarry, I had to look up the word lauding. I love your hourse your riding in your picture. What kind of animal is that?

-- Dennis Zongker

I found the picture on the ‘net. I wanted something unique! <g>

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

Dennis,
I was on a vacation trip last month when this was originally posted, so I am glad it has resurfaced. The craftsmanship and artwork of this project is astounding! This is something you can be truly proud of.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Dennis, you truely are a master craftsman. Well done

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Hi Dennis,

Stopped by after you commented on my dining room table—pretty cool thing you’ve made.

I’m curious how the book is going—books are great once finished, but a horrible pain in the butt along the way.

-- Chuck, Pullman, WA

Thank’s Whatthechuck,
Yea, it’s hard wrighting a large book. I only have time for about one hour a day. Do you have any experence wrighting books? If you do please give me some pointers. Thanks

-- Dennis Zongker

The only comment I can think of when I saw this, was Holy Crap!!! Nice work!!

So if you were to sell this, and only charged for the time you spent on it, you could make $10,000 @ $10/hour!!! Let’s say you charged $40/hour, or $80/hour… WOW. I hope someone pays you $100/hour plus materials (if you wanted to sell it, that is…)

Good job.

-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses

Wow! Very eloquently done!

-- - Michael [..for God's glory." 2 Cor. 10:31] Over 300000 species of trees, yet we take the credit for their beauty...

WOW, what everybody else said!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP

-- another tip from cooperedpatterns

I was gone when this came up but I finally got to see it. Absolutley amazing!!! This is heirloom quality with a huge “Q”. In the ages to come this will astound anyone who sees it.

-- Thos. Angle

Thank you Thos. Angle. It means a lot coming form you. You do excellent leather work.

-- Dennis Zongker

Dennis,
How do you find the time! I stand amazed and inspired!
Thanks for raising the bar for us all! We need it :)

-- Loving what I do, while I do it for Christ !

Thank you 1stump, I find plenty of time, I gave up watching football & going out to bars and restaurants.

-- Dennis Zongker

Holy cow…this table is absolutely amazing. In fact, all of your projects are incredible!!

Thank you dbilek, I seen your first box & wood project that you made. It looks like you have been woodworking for a lot of years. I can’t wait to see your next project.

-- Dennis Zongker

This is a magnificent piece of work, some of the best craftsmanship I’ve ever seen. A real masterpiece!

-- Randal, DeKalb, Illinois

Congratulations! I see this won the Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio 2009 Award for Residential Freestanding Furniture.
http://iswonline.com/ArticleLanding/tabid/67/Default.aspx?tid=1&contentid=17970&issueid=671
Plus another article in the magazine featuring the Galactic Table!
http://iswonline.com/ArticleLanding/tabid/67/Default.aspx?tid=1&contentid=17945&issueid=671
You seem to be getting a lot of press coverage lately. I cannot wait to see the box book you are working on. You are a man of many talents. Thanks for contributing to all of our woodworking experience.

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...

Thank you Ji82435, I didn’t think anyone would see it. I don’t know how many magizines go out in north America. And I think they only go out to business’s.

-- Dennis Zongker

Incredible!!
This is over the top from design to finish.
This shows what is possible with determination and a willingness to give up a few other time consuming interests.
Plus a little talent helps too :-)

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

This is really exquisite work. The detail and patience it must have taken to execute such a fine piece of art and make it all come together with the carving and marquetry is outstanding. You are a true master craftsman. This is a piece that belongs in a museum of fine art!

Dennis… I must say, in resurrecting this blog from the back pages, that this is one incredibly awesome work! I can only dream of developing the quality and quantity of the skills you used in this piece. Accolades and all my hats off to you!

And I apologize in saying Patti, you are wrong… it is a piece that belongs in my new house. LOL

-- Rick, south Sweden

Thank you rdlaurance, It still feels good getting a complement on the griffin table. I finished this piece a little over a year ago, but it seams like just yesterday. thank you.

-- Dennis Zongker

Dennis I will be looking for you book your work is fantastic!!! Could you answer one question for me Iam just learning marquetry , when you do your leaves are you cutting them on a scroll saw or by hand or do you ink in the veins off the main vein? If you use your scroll saw do you stop it at the end of the cut and back out I can’t seem to get mine to come out as clean as yours. Put me on your list to receive an email when your book comes out. Thanks, Billp

-- Billp

Hi Billp, Thank you for your kind complements. I use a scroll saw, on the slowest speed with a # 3-0 double tooth. Also I use a saw blade lubricant called a wax stick from Olson. When I’m cutting the veins into leaves I just cut right into the leaves and back it right out. If I have any problems then I stop the saw and pull the blade threw. If you have any other question ask any time.

-- Dennis Zongker

Yeah, I’m not quite there yet ;)

incredible work

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

This is totally unbeivable. I’m trying to put my socks back on cause this piece sure knocked them right off my feet, This belongs in a museum somewhere,,, at least in some rich cats crib. My neighbor hood I’d have to stand guard to keep it from walking away. Thanks for sharing,

Thank you very much GaryBuck for the kind complements. It’s still nice to get complements on this piece, that I finished a year ago.

-- Dennis Zongker

wow. Glad this was brought back into rotation or I might never had seen it.

This is an example of the differences between someone that works really hard to become great at a sport, someone that was born with natural talent to be great at a sport, and those people who are born with great talent and obviously work hard at the sport to become the best. Amazing work and dedication.

Now the only question is, what museum is this going in? =)

-- James - What's your excuse this time??

From God’s hands to Dennis’s.

God Bless, Gio

-- Gio, Gifts4thee.com

Thank you Gio,

It is true, God has blessed me with good health.

-- Dennis Zongker

and modesty.

-- Gio, Gifts4thee.com

After looking at your projects I think I’m taking up a new hobby! Gardening or something.
That is one incredible table! 1100 hrs aye? Did you sell the piece?
Ken

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"

That is absolutly stunning to borrow a phrase! It’s not too busy, well designed, and master craftsman workmanship. I curtsey to you sir! Wish my first project posted is gonna be that impressive – maybe my 1100th project.
One can always set goals!

Thank you Ken & Scottishrose, For your kind complements.

Time fly’s I posted the griffin table over one year ago. Lumberjocks has been a big inspiration in my woodworking. Thank’s Lumberjock, and happy woodworking to you.

-- Dennis Zongker

Wow, took a ton of dedication to finish this one I bet… VERY nice work!!!!! Congrats…

One thought for you Dennis… you might want to build some matching coasters (or a custom fit glass top) as it would be heartbreaking to have a ring burnt from a cup of coffee into this masterpiece… I of course would not want to be the one responsible for even putting a spec of dust on this piece… Congrats again and thanks for posting…