Euro Beech table

[Andrew Hughes]

Hi everyone this is my fourth version of this modern danish style table. I’m very close to my final version but need some small improvements.
My final version will be my entry for the woodworking competition in July of next year. I hope to take a home a ribbon.
It looks simple but it takes wood turning wood sculpting and carving skills.
The shelf is perfect for a iPad or tablet.
Its 23 inch tall the top is 14.5 wide. The leaves inlayed are my version of beech leafs.
Thanks for looking

[Jamie Buxton]

How do those leafs work? Did you carve them separately, and then glue them into recesses you chiseled into the table top?

[Mel Fulks]

The feature I like is the joint of shelf to legs. The carving is nice, I'd like green leaves. It's a piece that will be subtle
and modern to some ,but too much like church nursery furniture to others. Leg taper is so subtle that some will not see it.
I always enjoy seeing your work. Good luck to you!

[Christian Hawkshaw]

Wow...the joinery is incredible.....almost seamless. Good luck at the show.

[Phil Mueller]

Really nice, Andrew. Blue ribbon to my eyes.

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

Andrew, I agree with all of those that commented before me. The subtle, but clearly difficult to execute, transition between the legs and the shelf are sublime. The small carving is a very nice compliment to the simple table. If there was any one critique I'd have (completely personal preference) would be that I'd like to see the shelf an 1/8" to 1/4" thinner.

It is a very well-designed and executed piece; you are an exemplary craftsman.

[Jim Becker]

Absolutely beautiful result! The inlay is awesome...it really appears more like you relieved the top rather than added the raised inlay!

[Paul F Franklin]

Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

[Andrew Hughes]

Thanks guys for the your input and comments. I pretty sure I’m going to make one more that’s even more refined for the competition in July.
Thanks Again

[David Utterback]

Very nice and elegant. I agree with the comment above that the legs could be tapered more. Thanks for sharing

[johnny means]

I like the subtle taper. You sense the light footstep without seeing a blatant cone shape. Nicely executed, I can see the excruciating amount of fitting that had to happen.

[Andrew Hughes]

Thanks Johnny, that exactly what I am trying to convey. So this is the 4th version the first had too much taper too much splay. This one I turned the leg only 3/16 thicker at the top and use a spoke shave to remove the parting tool marks.
The splay is 4 degrees the legs were also rift with the grain carefully oriented.
They have a subtle bend in the leg due to the lines in the grain.
I chose beech because it’s cheap. But also has a quite presence.
Andrew

[William Fretwell]

Andrew your fit and finish is excellent. I also love the shelf mortice connection. The top seems a little odd, perhaps too thick, the rounded edge at odds with the shelf or not quite big enough, not really sure.

[Mark Rainey]

Andrew, a fine understated work of art.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Incredibly well done Sir! I will echo an earlier poster, I love the joinery! I also agree it has a light, elegant feel! Very well done!

[Frederick Skelly]

That's very nice! I like the "apparent" simplicity and subtle details - the joinery, the taper to the legs, the edge on the table top, the single carving. If this is still practice, I can't wait to see what you put in the Show!
Fred

[Prashun Patel]

It's beautiful and I applaud your process. The carving is perfect.

Take this for what it's worth, but my novice eye wants this to be even more delicate, by doing 2 things: thinning the top to 5/8", and tapering the legs to 3/4" or 7/8". I also think there is an opportunity to do something with the joint between the shelf and the apron by inlaying a contrast. These are unsolicited musings; you have obviously given this way more thought than I have in 2 minutes.

[Matthew Hills]

Thanks Johnny, that exactly what I am trying to convey. So this is the 4th version the first had too much taper too much splay.

Ooo... I see the opportunity for some comparison photos!

I'm also in the "love the leg/shelf transition" camp.

Is the interior panel of the shelf proud of the shelf frame, or is that an illusion from the surrounding groove?

Matt

[David Utterback]

This table is elegant and well crafted. I just looked at your photos again and noticed that he shelf has the corners cut at 45* to the edges. The transitions from the leg meet that angle which makes me wonder if that entire area of the legs is shaped by hand. The joints I can see are superb!

[Andrew Hughes]

Thanks Dave the sculpting work was done using carving gouges,files,goose neck scraper.
The joint were the shelf meets the leg is actually about a 1/4 inch away from the leg. There’s a domino in there.
Beech is very satisfying to work with because tools stay sharp a long time.
I use very little sandpaper in my work mostly in the finishing part.
Thanks again