Believe it or not, this is made from #1 treated lumber

[Malcolm Schweizer]

We are making ten tables for a local restaurant. Perhaps you saw my recent ten beautiful mahogany tables we built; well these are not mahogany! They are treated lumber. I really hate building with it, but these are for an outdoor dining area. We frequently are asked to build out of treated due to termites and tropical weather. Dominoes add strength to the glue joints.

Normally, I will glue up two halves, run them through the planer, and then glue the two halves together. (For tables too wide to plane as a whole.). Well, stupid me was so rushed that I forgot to tell the students not to glue the middle board. We clamp them all in one and leave the glue off the middle. We were pressed for time, and I didn’t want to have to rip them apart, plane them, and then glue them back together. I grabbed a Bosch power planer, and used my Neander skills to hand plane them flat, then belt sanded them, then the students sanded with progressive grits. They came out dead flat and I am proud of my students, and kinda proud of my hand planing skills. :-)

The stain is light cherry. So far just one coat of spar varnish, but it will get more. Big props to Deandra in the laser shop who set up the art and lasered it all by herself while the trainer is on vacation.

Five are 30x30 tables, and five are 72x30. This is the first one out of the laser shop. More pics later on of the larger tables.
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[Malcolm Schweizer]

FYI- the best way to get an even stain on treated pine is with Varathane wood conditioner prior to staining. It makes the stain go on very even and not so much variation in the color in the growth rings. Since I recently bemoaned their water based sanding sealer, it is only fair that I give props to their wood conditioner.

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[Jim Becker]

Nice looking tables.

How long are you waiting for the PT lumber to dry before you move to the finishing steps?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Nice looking tables.

How long are you waiting for the PT lumber to dry before you move to the finishing steps?

We stack and sticker it for a month+ outside but covered. I believe this batch sat for two months. We then bring it in, plane it, rough dimension, and let it sit inside (actually in an open pole building, which is as “inside” as we have) another week or so. 14% is a happy medium down here.

[Larry Frank]

Is there any danger from sanding dust of treated wood?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Is there any danger from sanding dust of treated wood?

Yes- I always wear a proper mask when cutting, planing, and sanding.

[Mark Rainey]

Nice work Malcolm. How did you attach the ends and edges of the table?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Nice work Malcolm. How did you attach the ends and edges of the table?

Dominoes, screwed, and glued.

[David Utterback]

Perfect silk purse from sow's ear. Thanks for sharing!

[Joe A Faulkner]

Very cool Malcolm. I've stained decks and playsets built out of treated lumber, but never considered applying a varnish. The table top looks great.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Well done Malcolm! Great looking table and finish!