Asian Theme G&G Coffee Table

[Stan Mitchell]

Here is my most recent project, a coffee table built for my son and his wife. Because of their decor, they wanted something Asian themed. Conceptually it started out that way, but the arts and crafts part of me started to make changes and this is what I ended up with.

The woods are walnut, maple, tulip poplar, and a bit of padauk. I also tried my hand at some wire inlay just for fun.

Just thought that I would share because it's so different from anything that I've done before.

I'm not much of a photographer. These were taken in full Winter sun and seem a bit washed out.

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[Ken Fitzgerald]

Stan,

I very much like this project. I am not that familiar with G&G and don't remember seeing an Asian themed one. Regardless, it seems to blend well in your project and I like it! Nicely done Sir!

[Kent A Bathurst]

Very nice.

The wire inlay - silver, or pewter?

[Stan Mitchell]

Ken Fitzgerald
Stan,

I very much like this project. I am not that familiar with G&G and don't remember seeing an Asian themed one. Regardless, it seems to blend well in your project and I like it! Nicely done Sir!


Thanks for the kind words. The inlay on the top is probably not for everyone (kind of busy) but it seemed to work in this case.


Kent A Bathurst
Very nice.

The wire inlay - silver, or pewter?



I used nickle silver just to try it out (actual silver is about $1 an inch). Got it from a muzzle loader supply place in Idaho.

I am going to try my hand at pewter next. I've been studying the "Morris Chair Build" since it started and have talked myself into building one this year. Some of the Stickley pieces had pewter and copper inlay and I thought that the Morris chair would be a great place to try it out.

[Michelle Rich]

I like your table. the combo of g&g & the asian work very well together. the top is lovely

[lowell holmes]

Stan,

Where would one learn about the inlay and how to do it?

Are the patterns free hand or do you make a template?

Great piece of work.

[joe valsi]

very nice, I like it a lot !! Good job !

[Stan Mitchell]

Stan,

Where would one learn about the inlay and how to do it?

Are the patterns free hand or do you make a template?

Great piece of work.

Glad you like it, but no patterns Lowell - freehand.

I learned to do router inlay from reading and watching online videos mostly. But probably most importantly - just doing. I've only done a few of these, so I'm no expert by any means, but each one gets a little better.

My process in general is as follows: I generally sketch an idea on paper first, cut out and shape pieces of wood from stock resawn (about 3/16" thick) tape them to the workpiece, outline the pieces with pencil and scribe with an Exacto knife. Then it's just a matter of routing out a recess 1/8" deep that the inlay pieces fit into, gluing, and sanding flush.

It's a simple enough process, but just like coloring with a crayon as a kid - the hard part with freehand routing is staying inside the line. It's tedious and takes practice. Of course there's other stuff like remove material from sharp corners of an area - small knives, chisels, and even a dental pick help there.

Marc Spagnuolo at the Wood Whisperer has a good introductory video to router inlay.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I am going to try my hand at pewter next.

Easy to use. I got a sheet - maybe 12" x 12" - and a TS blade for non-ferrous metals, and just sliced it up.

[Cody Colston]

Nice work and a beautiful table. I'm not a G&G expert, either, but I thought their designs were Asian influenced.

[Jim Rimmer]

I like it.

[Floyd Cox]

Very pleasing to the eye

[Tom Giles]

Nice table. Thanks for sharing

[glenn bradley]

G&G definitely have a strong Asian influence but, it is exhibited more in the overhanging top surfaces, reverse tapered legs and so forth as opposed to picture elements. I think the addition of the bamboo artwork on the top along with the G&G cloud-lift elements came out just great. That table is sure to be treasured for a long time to come.