The making of a table

[RivennHewn]

Sometimes you have to leave the shop.

I had a great day with the wife today.

Started out watching the Snow Geese in the fields around LaConner, Wa.


Then went into LaConner for Smelt days (who knew?) Actually had smelt for lunch, with Clams and such.

Stuck my head in a dilapidated old building, that was awesome.

Then drove over Deception Pass bridge, and down Whidbey Island, then caught the ferry for a sunset cruise home.

Made for a great day!

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am hearing you, some times you just have to step of the merry go round. There is a lesson in that for all of us.

Fantastic shots and thanks for sharing.

Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

Another perfect day in Seattle.

55 and sunny!

Taking the opportunity to play outside.

Started cutting and fitting the sandblasted Douglas Fir I brought home awhile back.

Hmmmm…… biscuits.

 

[RivennHewn]

Got the main planks glued and clamped up.

Will let them dry, then cut the ends in preparation for adding the breadboard ends.

Now, I need to start thinking about the base.

 

[LXCam]

Three evenings it took me to digest this thread Riven. Absolutely stunning work and a great eye for obscure design. My hat off to you bud and keep up the great work!

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks LX,

Much appreciated!

 

[RivennHewn]

Popped the top out of the clamps, and scraped the excess glue/ squeeze out.

The sandblasted texture is interesting, but I'm thinking its too rough for a table.

I want to take it down to a more friendly finish without losing the interest.

Luckily, I have excess material that I can experiment with different techniques.

The end detail will have to wait for a couple days til the mailman brings me my new toy.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Your Douglas fir look very similar to what I know as Oregon, my bench top.

View media item 38944
Great job on the top.

I have a pile of it from our old carport that is destined for similar use.

Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks 1/2cup, That made for a nice looking bench.

I've got to ask, what is the tripod stand? Or, more importantly, what is that stand going to be?


Looks like some vintage cast iron goodness.

Best

 

[1/2 Cup]

The stand was going in the hard rubbish at a place where I was picking up an EBAY purchase in Melbourne, an old cast iron mangle.

View media item 38316
The seller said that I could take it as I was only going to land fill, I also score a pair of cast sewing machine legs as well.

The legs will be destined for another table, this time a round unit.

Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

The stand was going in the hard rubbish at a place where I was picking up an EBAY purchase in Melbourne, an old cast iron mangle.

View media item 38316
The seller said that I could take it as I was only going to land fill, I also score a pair of cast sewing machine legs as well.

The legs will be destined for another table, this time a round unit.

Regards

Wow! Some guys have all the luck


Got a couple great projects. I'll be watching your thread a like a hawk.

 

[RivennHewn]

Messed around with adding extensions on some casters this afternoon.

Playing around with using this old cast iron leg as part of the base for the new table top.

 

[RivennHewn]

I left work a little early today to get home and open up my new Makita track saw that UPS brought today.

As soon as I saw the box, I knew there was a problem.

There was no way a 55" guide rail would fit in the box.

I ordered the saw with rail kit, but Amazon sent me the bare tool. No rail.

Spent the next hour chatting with a customer service rep.

I will say that she was good at her job, and took care of the problem to my satisfaction.

Even though I won't be able to work on my table top til Friday. Oh well.

 

[RivennHewn]

Now that's the right sized box!

I must say that Amazon customer service and shipping did me right this time.

Problems happen, Knowing how to make them right is the true test.

More to come…...

 

[RivennHewn]

Started trimming the ends of my new table with my new toy.

Made two cuts, and I"m in love

 

[RivennHewn]

I also got to work on the base. Drug out just about every tool I own.
(not really)

And came up with this:

 

[1/2 Cup]

Started trimming the ends of my new table with my new toy.

Made two cuts, and I"m in love

Yep that does it, I have to have one..

 

[RivennHewn]

I have access to the Festool version at work, and they are very nice.

I couldn't justify the cost for my personal use.

Frankly, I was really hoping I didn't make a mistake buying the Makita version.

Out of the box, and the first series of cuts, and I know I made the right decision for me.

Set it up ran a bunch of kerfs for the half lap bread board ends, then knocked them out with a chisel and mallet.

Cut the mating side with the table saw, and glued it in.

Will do the other side tomorrow.

 

[Toxicscrew]

I bought that saw in November. Mine wasn't in a box that size. Actually 3 different ones, one for the saw, and two for the tracks. Little thin boxes.

Table is looking good!

 

[RivennHewn]

I bought that saw in November. Mine wasn't in a box that size. Actually 3 different ones, one for the saw, and two for the tracks. Little thin boxes.

Table is looking good!

You were supposed to tell me that it's held up great, and is the best $$ you've spent on tools.

 

[nine4gmc]

That saw looks cool but your tale is down right awesome! Love the legs!!

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks Nine,

You might recognize the leg from my brake stand build:

The new table is the middle leg that I didn't use on the brake stand.

Couple before and after pics of the new leg getting a Penetrol coating.

Not a huge difference, but it does bring out the color a bit, and no need to worry about rust.

 

[RivennHewn]

The sandblasted Douglas Fir top is complete.

I did some test finishes/techniques on some scrap, and decided to go with a vinegar/rust solution for the stain.

It goes on like water, and takes about 15 minutes to complete the chemical reaction with the tannins in the wood.

I have yet to sand the top, so now when I do the high grain will sand off and the low grain will remain dark.

Should give an interesting look.

 

[1/2 Cup]

The timber looks fantastic.

The brake stand build is one nice piece of work, cast legs like that are as rare as anything out here and when the do come up command big $$

Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

Thanks 1/2 cup,

Still watching the shed thread for your vintage cast iron. (previous page)

Any thoughts on what you're going to do with it?

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am thinking something round this time and out of Red gum similar to the retro industrial bench but a little more refined and greater attention to the overall finish. Satin black powder coat on the legs.

View media item 39903
Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

That Red Gum looks wonderful.


Usually on a rustic table like this one, I skip the jointer step, and leave the joints rough. This makes for some gaps that need to be addressed.

I've used different techniques to accomplish filling gaps like the black rubber caulk, clear epoxy, or inlaid wood.

This time I decided to use polyurethane and wood dust.

I rubbed a little dust into the voids, then used a syringe to soak the dust with the poly.

Time consuming task. Doing it in direct sunlight helped. At least with my attitude.

 

[Toxicscrew]

You were supposed to tell me that it's held up great, and is the best $$ you've spent on tools.

****, apologies.

Beer to make it up?
If either one of us crosses the great expanse between us that is.

 

[RivennHewn]

You fly, I'll buy?

 

[RivennHewn]

A little sanding, a little stain, and a coat of poly:

I also received my Femi ABS105 bench top bandsaw today.

The first cut:

Need to learn the tool. material-feedrate-pressure-blade selection

The user manual is a little much to understand on the 1st read thru.

Going to have to spend some time with it.


Even Lazze like them:

 

[1/2 Cup]

Once again you have nailed it and have truly captured the essence of old, well done.

I had to refrain from watching the video, it just made me add one to the bucket list.

Regards

 

[RivennHewn]

Not much going on around my shop the last few days other than watching poly dry.

Almost as much fun as watching paint dry.

I was liking the open ended foot detail on my C-chanel leg, until I noticed a problem.

Imagine a woman in open toed shoes ramming her toenail into the end of the foot. I've lost toenails before, and it isn't fun.

Thought I'd better close off the end.

 

[RivennHewn]

Started cutting and fitting some material to close off the ends.

 

[RivennHewn]

Although I do prefer the look of the open ends, I'm happy with how they turned out.

Just doing what I can to help keep women's feet beautiful.

 

[1/2 Cup]

That a top idea to fill the ends in, most times I tend to over look detail like that.

Lesson learned.

 

[RivennHewn]

playing around with the Femi band saw again:

Cut on 1-1/4" bar stock:

Super thin cut off:

 

[1/2 Cup]

That's one nice cut

This may seem a silly question but in your opinion how would you compare it to a cold saw?

Thanks for posting.

 

[RivennHewn]

I may not be the right person to answer that, as I have limited experience with cold saws.

The ones I have used had been rode hard and put away wet.

In general, I think the cold saws have a more robust frame, but lack the accuracy.

They are also more expensive, and require 240V power. Blades cost more as well.

The newer versions like the Evolution type saws I have yet to play with.

Time will tell how the Femi holds up.

 

[little d]

Since you guys are talking saws, I hope you don't mind me asking this. Been thinking for a while about modifying a wood cut off saw for metal, swapping the gears to slow the blade down? What do you two think, worth the effort or not?

 

[RivennHewn]

little d,

I'm not sure. Not really my area of knowledge.

I wouldn't really know where to even start.