Show and Tell - My First Ever Coffee Table Build

[JohnM Martin]

Recently I finished up my first coffee table build, and just wanted to share. I'm proud of it, but don't look too close, I'm a rookie afterall :) Overall this was a really enjoyable build. I bought the logs from a guy that had a storm take down the trees. I hauled the logs to my local sawmill where they were milled to 8/4 and 5/4 boards. Then, I had to let the wood air dry for a couple of years in my dad's barn. Finally, I was able to turn it into something - something that will (hopefully) outlive me.

I can't take credit for the design - inspired by a 1950s Jens Risom table I found somewhere online.


https://mattmartinbackup.s3.amazonaws.com/woodworking/coffeetable.mp4

[Todd Zucker]

I like the design, and the Wood has some nice figure. What was the finish that you used?

[JohnM Martin]

I like the design, and the Wood has some nice figure. What was the finish that you used?

Thanks, Todd. I used General Finishes Arm-R-Seal for the finish.

[Frank Pratt]

That's a beautiful table John. I love Arm-R-Seal & it's probably the finish I use the most.

[lowell holmes]

What wood did you use and what is the finish in it?
Nice table.

[Bruce Volden]

John,
That is one nice looking table! I like the design and finish.
My tastes lend toward less sharp corners having had many foster children pass through here.

Bruce

[JohnM Martin]

That's a beautiful table John. I love Arm-R-Seal & it's probably the finish I use the most.

Thank you, Frank. This is my 3rd piece I've finished with Arm-R-Seal and the best result yet. I think I am starting to get comfortable with it so I'm going to keep using it. I just wish it was more readily available.

[JohnM Martin]

What wood did you use and what is the finish in it?
Nice table.


Thank you, Lowell. This is air dryed black walnut finished in Arm-R-Seal satin.

[JohnM Martin]

John,
That is one nice looking table! I like the design and finish.
My tastes lend toward less sharp corners having had many foster children pass through here.

Bruce


Thank you, Bruce! I really enjoy some of the midcentury designs. What is your method for easing the corners?

[Frank Pratt]

What is your method for easing the corners?

I use a block plane prior to sanding.

[Jim Koepke]

Thank you, Bruce! I really enjoy some of the midcentury designs. What is your method for easing the corners?


I use a block plane prior to sanding.

Try a few of these:

425913

Smaller hollows are great for doing just a corner. The bigger ones are good for a full edge:

425914

A well tuned plane with a sharp blade can virtually eliminate the need for sandpaper.

jtk

[Christopher Charles]

Nice design and some great figure in those boards. And even better since you know the source of the boards. Will look forward to seeing your next project.

Best,
Chris

[Frank Pratt]

To elaborate further; I generally prefer the look of a chamfered edge to a round over. But just doing a chamfer with a plane still leaves those 45* corners that are a little too sharp. A quick pass with 220 grit sandpaper softens them slightly without rounding them too much

[Jim Koepke]

To elaborate further; I generally prefer the look of a chamfered edge to a round over. But just doing a chamfer with a plane still leaves those 45* corners that are a little too sharp. A quick pass with 220 grit sandpaper softens them slightly without rounding them too much

On the bottom row of planes the 4th & 5th plane from the right both make chamfers of different sizes.

With the molding planes it is possible to make infinite shapes:

425917

This is a much larger size than most tables would use, but it illustrates possibilities.

jtk

[Pat Barry]

Very nice table. What are the dimensions?

[Frank Pratt]

Try a few of these:

425913

jtk

I think you're a bit of a plane junkie. :)

[Jerry Olexa]

Very nice wrk..The walnut looks excellent!!!! Good results!!!

[Ray Newman]

As others posted, very good use of the wood grain pattern. The finish really make the grain standout. A job well done!

[Jim Koepke]

I think you're a bit of a plane junkie. :)

You got me. :D

jtk

[JohnM Martin]

Very nice wrk..The walnut looks excellent!!!! Good results!!!

Thank you, Jerry!

[Mark Rainey]

John, you are a true Neanderthal lugging logs from a downed tree to the sawmill! The walnut is beautiful, retaining a depth and clarity without being dark.