Transformations

[Derek Cohen]

Not quite 4 weeks ago, a good friend, Rita, brought along an entrance hall table she wanted me to fit a drawer into ...

https://i.postimg.cc/CxX6M7D6/3a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zGVc16Lg/1a.jpg

(Note that these photos were taken in my entrance hall, not Rita's).

It was really a boring ... okay, ugly table. I thought that the proportions were completely ugh, and the legs reminded me of detention in a classroom. The table had been a kerbside salvage by her late husband, a close friend of mine, and a very good woodworker in his own right. It had been used as a work table. Rita had just moved into a new home, and the table was used because the width of the top fitted an alcove in the entrance hall.

I said to Rita that I would re-build the table. "But I must have a drawer", Rita emphasised.

The wood was good Jarrah. The first step was to pull it apart. This was not so easy as simply unscrewing the clips for the top ...

https://i.postimg.cc/brm379pg/5a.jpg

Some evil tablemaker had used a nail gun to attach the corner blocks. Pulling them out left holes in the legs.

https://i.postimg.cc/3RCLBHqP/8a.jpg

The legs were attached with dowels. I would never have guessed as the construction was very strong. Pulling them away caused some of the wood to tear along with it. No way to remove them other than saw the ends away.

https://i.postimg.cc/6QGYnmSn/10a.jpg

Deconstructed ...

https://i.postimg.cc/C5w7yLKs/13a.jpg

Let's begin again ..

I thought that I would do something different with this write-up. Turn it around and start with the finished piece. That's right ... the table rebuild is complete. This will provide a picture of the end result, and we can then look at how certain parts were built. This way around might create a better understanding of where the build was going, and how it got there.

In particular, the drawer. The drawer is a little beauty. I did scratch my head over the construction. No doubt it has been done before, but I could not find any pictures of another like it. I am sure there will be interest in the design. I am chuffed with the efficiency of it. More on this in the next article.

For now, here is the completed table.

https://i.postimg.cc/9ftbk6g6/2a.jpg

The legs have been brought inward, tapered, and a 3 degree splay added to the sides.

https://i.postimg.cc/VktDqrqL/3a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Bvg5pxXs/18a.jpg

The top retained its width (I was threatened with death, or worse, if it was shortened) but was made shallower. A slight camber was added front-and-back to soften the outline ...

https://i.postimg.cc/N0wbpsD8/4a.jpg

The apron was also made shallower. The original was 100mm (4") high. It is now 65mm (2 1/2") high.

https://i.postimg.cc/mDLjWm0t/8a.jpg

Oy .. where's the drawer gone?! I could have sworn it was there yesterday. Aah ... there it is ... :)

https://i.postimg.cc/d3D9LLQF/9a.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1RYHbcM3/10a.jpg

[Derek Cohen]

This is the drawer case ...

https://i.postimg.cc/zGTFbmNy/14a.jpg

With drawer inserted - you need to get close up to see the joins ..

https://i.postimg.cc/qMPGvJPf/15a.jpg

It opens with a pull under the drawer ..

https://i.postimg.cc/pdxYK0Vq/16a.jpg

The drawer is shallow, of course, it is just for house keys and the odd remote control. It is just 45mm (1 3/4") high on the outside and 26mm (1") deep inside. The full dimensions are 230mm (9") wide and 280mm (11") deep ...

https://i.postimg.cc/76KVHgkX/11a.jpg

The sides are 7mm thick. The drawer front is 18mm (roughly 3/4").

To maximise the internal height, the drawer bottom was attached with a groove into the drawer sides rather than using slips. Slips would have used a precious extra 3mm (1/8"). So they 6mm (1/4") drawer bottom has a 3mm rebate, fitting a 3mm groove.

https://i.postimg.cc/L573f2h1/12a.jpg

The sides and bottom are quartersawn Tasmanian Oak, which is very stable and tough. One screw at the rear, with an expansion slot, to hold it firmly. A nice, tight drawer ...

https://i.postimg.cc/4N75G7Fb/13a.jpg

It sides in-and-out smoothly. I love that it disappears and is hidden.

More on the construction next time, but feel free to ask questions.

https://i.postimg.cc/FRHyB7LS/19a.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Ron Selzer]

Very, Very nice work

[glenn bradley]

A rebirth. Great transformation.

[Jim Koepke]

Great work.

jtk

[Nicholas Lawrence]

That is a very nice post Derek.

[Ron Bontz]

Nice touch of class, Derek.
Was this originally a home made table I ask because of the air nails and dowels.

[Derek Cohen]

Ron, I do not know if it was home made. I think not - just an example of one method of construction. It certainly was solid and would have lasted a 100 years.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tom M King]

You turned a utilitarian beast into a pleasant, fine looking piece of art!

We have some Walnut furniture that looks, and is made similar to what that was to start with. It was left to us by an Uncle who took some Walnut lumber to a local factory, in the 1950's, that made school furniture. We even have Walnut school chairs.

[David Eisenhauer]

You have transformed the table into a beauty Derek. What a change. It even looks like it weighs less now then before. Thanks for sharing.

[Steve Catts]

Derek,

Please share how you cut the drawer front from the apron with virtually no kerf... What is this mad science?

[Derek Cohen]

Patience Steve. I will show this in detail. But it is a well known method. Nothing original there.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Andrew Pitonyak]

You fooled me! When I saw the first finished photo, my first thought was "Derek is in trouble, he forgot the drawer." A few photos down I saw the drawer. <tip hat>

I like the improved look very much; surprisingly so, but given the quality of what you do, it should not have surprised me.

Curious how you did such a perfect cut for the drawer face.

[Matt Riegerix]

Amazing transformation. Kudos.

[James Pallas]

First class Derek. Re-making from not much is far more difficult than making original. Coming up with something that looks great is a task for a master. I’m interested in your drawer construction and also how you managed the leg joinery.
Jim

[Peter Mich]

Fantastic transformation. Rita must be over the moon with the end result: a beauty released from detention.

[Frederick Skelly]

That's great Derek!

[Jerry Olexa]

Nice transformation!!! Good work!1

[Clifford McGuire]

I know that the width wasn't changed (harsh penalty indeed). But the splay and perhaps the depth reduction makes the table look wider.

Looking forward to the build details.

[Derek Cohen]

I know that the width wasn't changed (harsh penalty indeed). But the splay and perhaps the depth reduction makes the table look wider.

Looking forward to the build details.

Clifford, that is exactly what was intended.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Anuj Prateek]

Derek,

Please share how you cut the drawer front from the apron with virtually no kerf... What is this mad science?

Same question here. How does it match so well?

[Erich Weidner]

Silly question perhaps, I'm assuming the piece had sentimental value and hence the transformation vs. just building a new one from scratch?
Or still a time savings vs. starting from scratch?

[Derek Cohen]

Erich, there was not a lot of sentimental value, other than for Rita and myself knowing that her late husband had restored the table. We are old friends, and she knows the furniture in my home well (I have build most of it). I know the pieces she likes best. I did not run the design for this piece past her, but did get her permission to rebuilt it from scratch. I am awaiting her reaction this weekend when I visit her new home (for the first time) and present her with a house-warming gift.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Scott Winners]

I am going to guess the front apron was ripped full length and then the drawer front crosscut out of the lower piece of the apron - but that was mighty fine workmanship if it was done that way. Executing the bejeezuz out of stuff once again.

[chris carter]

Derek,

The thing that impresses me most with your work is your sense of scale and proportions. I am slowly learning that regardless of style, embellishments, accuracy, etc. THAT has the absolute most impact on the "likability" of a piece of furniture.

[Todd Zucker]

Nice work! Very instructive to see the before and after.

[Jeff Ranck]

See, this is why I always ask myself, "What would Derek do?" when faced with a woodworking task. :)

[Scott Winners]

Besides ripping the apron and then crosscutting the drawer front out of the "lower" section of the apron I bet (one 355mL Coca Cola) Derek had to also crosscut the upper apron, one blade width at each end so the two apron pieces would be the same length with optimum grain matching. It looks really really good from here.

[Derek Cohen]

Somehow this area was forgotten, and of course it is important.


All surfaces were hand planed, and then finished in de-waxed Ubeaut Hard Shellac. This concentrated and thinned with denatured alcohol/methylated spirits.


https://i.postimg.cc/DwsP1D9b/28a.jpg


This finish allows the figure to come through and, unlike an oil, does not darken the already dark Jarrah (which is what I wanted to avoid).


The top was, in addition, sanded with a ROS to 400 grit. Jarrah is an open-grain timber and the sanded Shellac doubled as a grain-filler, leaving a smoothed surface.


The next step was to rub in (and off) a water-based poly, from General Finishes, which does not darken or yellow with age. I rub thin coats on with microfibre cloths and then denib with 400 grit grey mesh ...


https://i.postimg.cc/DfHG56dQ/Finishes.jpg


The final step is to wax (the top) with Howards Wax-N-Feed, which is a mix of beeswax and carnauba wax.


https://i.postimg.cc/TY21XHqv/41-Wz65-Yb-QSL-AC-SY400.jpg


This produces a very soft, warm and natural finish.


https://i.postimg.cc/N0wbpsD8/4a.jpg


Regards from Perth


Derek

[Phil Mueller]

Well done, Derek. And of course the most important question is, does Rita love it. Something I guess you’ll know soon.

[Erich Weidner]

Erich, there was not a lot of sentimental value, other than for Rita and myself knowing that her late husband had restored the table. We are old friends, and she knows the furniture in my home well (I have build most of it). I know the pieces she likes best. I did not run the design for this piece past her, but did get her permission to rebuilt it from scratch. I am awaiting her reaction this weekend when I visit her new home (for the first time) and present her with a house-warming gift.

Sorry, I guess I was really trying to ask why modify an existing piece vs build from scratch? (Preservation of resources/Scarce wood? Sentimental value? Just for the heck of it? :) )

[Derek Cohen]

Erich, I prefer to re-use what I can. For many years I built with old roofing trusses - it is amazing (and alarming) how much good hardwood went into roofs in Perth. I would ask at building sites, and the builders/demolishers were happy to give it to me. No longer - they want to sell it. It is valuable. Now I get much of my timber from an urban salvager - he pulls down or rescues trees which would otherwise become mulch.

Jarrah is in very short supply. It grows in a pocket in the south of Western Australia. No where else in the world. For over a 100 years the Jarrah forrest was cut down for timber for bridges and roads and wharfs around the world. It is still being harvested for flooring. The forests are decimated of old growth. The trees take a 100 years to reach maturity.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Erich Weidner]

Jarrah is in very short supply. It grows in a pocket in the south of Western Australia. No where else in the world. For over a 100 years the Jarrah forrest was cut down for timber for bridges and roads and wharfs around the world. It is still being harvested for flooring. The forests are decimated of old growth. The trees take a 100 years to reach maturity.


Got it. Thank you. I guess since I see Jarrah in so many of your forum posts, that I assumed it was a common species in your neck of the woods.