Dan's Myrtle Anniversary Shaker Table

[Daniel Rankmore]

Wood is the traditional present to celebrate 5 years of happy marriage. With this inspiration I've decided to make for us a family dinning table in the same style as the shaker trestle I built in 2008.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TLpErNseUzY/TDAFbFmU93I/AAAAAAAAEW4/bzjikSuEqHY/P1040069.jpg

The timber (from Boutique Timbers) is Tasmania Myrtle (Nothofagus Cunninghamii). I have 6 x 1" boards of fiddleback, and 6 x 2" slabs (with faults) to make the project from.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TLpErNseUzY/TC8gCmnDI_I/AAAAAAAAETs/Say-X8OLAjY/P1050666.JPG

The overall style will be the same as the 2008 Blackbutt table with a few modifications The size is slightly larger 2m x 1m (cf: 1.8m x 0.9m) to seat 8 comfortably. The legs will be slightly wider, but the same height and shape. The top is quite different. The centre boards are only 20mm thick dressed. To strengthen the top I will be edging the top with 40mm stock and have cross braces underneath. (Don't worry I've taken into account wood expansion.)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TLpErNseUzY/TDAFcdzEqJI/AAAAAAAAEW8/zMyCx_DbcVI/Draft%202.jpg

I haven't decided on chairs or table. I would love shaker chairs, but lack a lath and time. I love the communal feel to having benches compared to chairs. The main problem I heard from the 2008 table are the lack of backs on the benches.

Happy to hear any suggestions.

[Bill White]

Well get after it. Sounds like a plan to me even though I'm not familiar with the woods you'll use. :D
Bill

[Daniel Rankmore]

The Anniversary table has been a long time in the coming. To check proportions and decide on final sizing and shaping I assembled the piece in our small courtyard. The shaker inspired modern table is a 2x1m trestle table with two benches capable of sitting eight comfortably.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8gr7eQ7PGs/TWgK9oJs4YI/AAAAAAAAJaY/XkQlTpXx5O8/s400/P1110243.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lhJgACtdlLY/TWgK_IwAT_I/AAAAAAAAJag/SMOzKwESYiM/s400/P1110245.JPG

The benches will be assembled with long screws covered by ebony plugs - keeping the detail of the top.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZVw3Z6-QNO4/TWgK-bBiuYI/AAAAAAAAJac/gyslLzmXBeo/s400/P1110244.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N2hJzejliOg/TWgLCsRZABI/AAAAAAAAJa0/GiNi5JJM2Sk/s400/P1110251.JPG

In the shaker design which uses 3/4" timber (cf. 1 1/2" timber in my piece) there is a stretcher beneath the benches to prevent racking and increase strength. Although this is not needed with the thicker timber I plan to add a smaller stretcher for aesthetics.

The top I've had completed and finished for nearly 6 months. Given the heat we've had lately the top has shrunk about 1.5cm across it's 1m width. The breadboards were designed for 2cm of movement so this isn't a problem (other than needing to tidy the breadboards).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R09GFwNaSDs/TWgLBHBMsiI/AAAAAAAAJas/o7zYuqu4Uhg/s400/P1110249.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Il6YgYJx5E4/TWgLFC-pTxI/AAAAAAAAJa8/va-iV1S0j1E/s400/P1110252.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jZNrIITpqvg/TWgLH1tEYCI/AAAAAAAAJbI/HFKzSNNyDus/s400/P1110254.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RGE5f4r150M/TWgLJOoeYXI/AAAAAAAAJbQ/l89YucMFsYc/s400/P1110256.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LEJ7ay0zur0/TWgLJ1XufEI/AAAAAAAAJbU/XHDoA97bdP0/s400/P1110257.JPG

Since this last photo was taken I've shaped the stretcher supporting the two legs. In keeping with the rest of the piece. It now has a gentle curve thinning the mid section. The ends will be tightened with keyed m&t joints which need to be shaped and sanded.

Work in progress details and photos (http://theloveofwood.blogspot.com/search/label/Myrtle%20Anniversary%20Shaker%20Table)

[Dave MacArthur]

Looks great! Can't wait to see it finished!