African Mahogany/Granite End Table

[Rob Price]

I actually finished this project a while ago but never posted the finished photos. This was the project that got me sucked into the vortex- I wanted to make and End Table for use in our recently finished media room. I used the same wood and finish as the entertainment center. I just couldn't come up with a design that I liked and decided it was time to turn some legs. This was also my first foray into true mortise and tenon joinery. We put a granite top on it to match the countertops we had installed in the back of the media room, so this helps pull the two rooms together. Plus I don't have to worry about coasters, spills, etc. And when the kids run into it, nothing falls over (except the kids, but they're resilient).

Sketchup design phase. I liked this because I could plan the leg out in 2D, create a 3D model so I could see what it would look like round, and then I used the 2D printouts as my template at the lathe.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cDBNrejpoOw/TyiDDDYJZtI/AAAAAAAABmg/adPGTgy-wmg/s640/Foot%25202D.jpg

Poplar Prototype. Let me practice the turning as well as the joinery
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2dV_3OK9nsk/Tyaf4Ew0hiI/AAAAAAAABlQ/xcYOlGVlDBA/s640/photo.JPG

Replicating setup:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7BcUt737pfc/TyagI3L3VCI/AAAAAAAABlY/zov76iF85ng/s640/photo.JPG

Not bad for a first attempt at matching legs. I can pick out the first leg I turned though. You probably can too:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cDolmbnl_uw/TyagYcZWm-I/AAAAAAAABlg/CC5sAPz4igY/s640/photo.JPG

Dry fitting the joinery. I started the mortises on the drill press and then cleaned up/finished on the router table. It was a little tricky because they aren't centered on the legs. Each leg needed two different setups.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kXFhY8H8h_I/TyagiyCwvrI/AAAAAAAABlo/jyZP08U-Shs/s640/photo.JPG

[Rob Price]

Sled for cutting the dado to accept the bottom shelf. Clamped to my miter fence with a stop at the bottom to register the height of the shelf. I used 1/2 plywood wrapped with the mahogany.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wCfsYKhGi1c/Tyagn1c2rJI/AAAAAAAABlw/CM__2qe9pew/s640/photo.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R7D0wEaCuIc/Tyag2xPoQFI/AAAAAAAABl4/6PwLBIPJMZU/s640/photo.JPG

Ready for finish:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9E5fkp4dgIw/TycE0xtBLGI/AAAAAAAABmU/N2It1m1zX9o/s640/photo.JPG

Finish: Boiled linseed oil first to bring out the grain. Then Java Gel stain (General finishes) more like a glaze than a stain. Fills in the crevices to give it an aged look. Then satin Deft lacquer with my cheapo HVLP from Rockler.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o6Z4AgHRV3Y/UtQUr3dv2rI/AAAAAAAACDQ/gbwT1dPYu1I/s640/IMG_5500.jpg



https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_gausXCE-EQ/UtQUrrqG0RI/AAAAAAAACDM/G8Fay-aonmE/s640/IMG_5503.jpg

I glued blocks to the bottom of the granite that keep it registered, but easily removable for transport:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HTvjvKvH3RE/UtQUr9mDKyI/AAAAAAAACDU/PsX8UN2dBf0/s640/IMG_5505.jpg

Comments/critique welcome. Thanks for looking.

[Jim Rimmer]

Great looking table. Nice work.

[Mark Patoka]

Looks really nice. I like the stain treatment also.

[Jay Jolliffe]

Very nice. Thanks for posting it

[Pat Barry]

Wow! That is a very nice table. Great looking finish and nice wood selection.

[Mark Engel]

Absolutely beautiful.

[Phil Thien]

Wow, that came out great. Are you sure that is walnut?

[Rob Price]

Ahhhh! You're right. Everything I've done lately has been walnut. This is African Mshogany. I can't edit the title on my phone. I'll see if I can fix it when I get to a computer. How embarrassing :P

[Andrew Hughes]

I like it too, very majestic has a nice strong look.Nice looking coves and beads.

[mike johnston]

Rob. cool table, really love the avatar where was that pic taken? I can tell it's warm. I love to dive.

Mike

[Bert Kemp]

Really awesome table. I get jealous when I come look in this forum and see all the beautiful stuff you guys do. Wish I had that talent.

[Scott M Perry]

Beautiful design, beautifully executed. Nice!

[Rob Price]

Avatar was shot in Marathon, Fl. My woodworking budget eats into my scuba budget.

[mike johnston]

Marathon. That's cool, we rent a place there every winter, at the very end of treasure island road. I dive with Tildens when I'm there. Just got back from the Philippines a few days ago. Highly recommended, but looooong flights.

[Ron Brese]

Lots of good work on this table but the thing that really stands out to me is you got the finishing part right. It looks just as it should without being too dark or totally devoid of color. The glazing that adds a bit of aging looks great.

Ron