New conference table progress pics...

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

I didn't intend to post any more pics until this monster was finished...but apparently they started selling 12 exposure film again at WalMart (for about 9 cents less than the 24 exposure roll, so they fooled me!) :mad: Here they are, and I won't bore you with anymore until delivery. :D

<img src = "http://www.kcwoodworks.net/boat1.jpg" align = center>

This is the base fully assembled, save for the two missing braces.

<img src = "http://www.kcwoodworks.net/boat2.jpg" align = center>

I got the base stained the day before we took the veneer panels to the cabinet shop for sanding. Had to have someplace to put the top to work on it. These are the seven panels just tossed up there so I could draw the reference lines for cutting the boat shape. After sanding, we've got 1/4" mesquite on 1-1/2" MDF.

<img src = "http://www.kcwoodworks.net/boat3.jpg" align = center>

After using the templates to mark the edge, I carefully cut the pieces to 'just oversized' with the circular saw. I scored the cut line with a razor blade, but still got a few chips. :( I know I probably shoulda turned the pieces over for cutting, but after muling them around all day yesterday, me and my helper were doing as little handling of the panels as possible. One of the beautiful things about working mesquite is if a chip is just too offensive, I can take a grinder to it and make it a wormhole or something else that looks like 'character'. This pic is after I've made the final cut on the right edge of the first two panels. You may notice the template underneath the cut side (and a scrap piece under the left to even it up). I used the template underneath because I was just more comfortable with the 'bottom bearing' flush trim bit...seems like a more stable cutting situation to me. It was a bit of bother to get the templates under the tops and lined up, but it worked.

<img src = "http://www.kcwoodworks.net/boat4.jpg" align = center>

After starting at about 8:30, the top was all cut out around 4:00, and I've started fitting the miters on the first section of the border. Only the two end sections have the miters, the other five only have the outside borders. To demonstrate just how confident I was in my templates, I cut the inner arcs on all the trim pieces last week...and suprisingly enough, the still fit the outer arc on the top today. :rolleyes:

<img src = "http://www.kcwoodworks.net/boat5.jpg" align = center>

This is just a side shot to help me decide whether the top is thick enough, or if I need to add a 'kicker' to the bottom. I'm thinking it looks a bit skinny...

More to come...but not until it's OVER. Thanks for browsing.

KC

[Jason Roehl]

(waiting in eager anticipation)...

I like, big, solid, heavy-looking furniture. When I sit down in something, or stand on something or otherwise use it, I don't want to be surprised that it holds up.

Of course, there are some folks in our midst to whom this is more important.... :D

[Carl Eyman]

Thanks for keeping us posted Carl

[Bill Grumbine]

(waiting in eager anticipation)...

I like, big, solid, heavy-looking furniture. When I sit down in something, or stand on something or otherwise use it, I don't want to be surprised that it holds up.

Of course, there are some folks in our midst to whom this is more important.... :D

Ohhhh, a wise guy, eh? :p I have turned many a chair into kindling wood in my time. I like solid furniture too.

KC, this is looking real nice, but I think you are right, the top needs a visual weight to it.

Bill

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

Looking good, KC. Makes me tired just thinking about manipulating those panels and supports.

[Steve Clardy]

My older sister lived in Houston for a while, and I had her bring me a chunk of mesquite [she had bought some firewood and there was some in it] so I could see what it looked like. Though it was still green, it had quite an odor to it. Does the odor leave after drying? Do you air dry or kiln dry your material? Steve

[Mac McAtee]

KC,
Next time you are cutting something that you need to worry about chip out on the cut line try this. Get a roll of 1 1/2" blue masking tape and lay it around the area to be cut, trying to make where the cut line will be in the middle of the strip of tape. That blue tape will take a curve, not a sharp curve but it will do. To go around a sharper curve just use shorter pieces. Make your cut line on the tape and make sure that the tape is firmly down on the wood surface. After the cut, even after sanding the edges or what ever you are going to do to the edge, peel the tape off. I find that most all of the chip out is elminated. If you are careful peeling off the tape and a loose piece of the grain is picked up, you must watch the glue surface of the tape as you lift it, you can put a little dot of glue on the splinter, lay the tape back down and it will put the splinter right back where it came from. Skip that spot and go about 2" further along, lift and tear a new starting point and continue peeling the tape. You may end up with a couple of short pieces of tape left on the board, but the glue will usually set up in 10-15 min. and you can then go back and VERY carefully pull the pieces off. After a few hours you can go on with what ever you were doing and the few chip outs will vanish.

[Eric Apple - Central IN]

Wow.. That is HUGE! Looks very good. I do agree with you and Bill G. that the top neads a little weight visually to better match the hefty legs.

PS... That is large enough to pass for a boat dock around here.

[Todd Burch]

Hey KC. Looking good. What are the (final) dimensions? Todd.

[Tom Sweeney]

Of course, there are some folks in our midst to whom this is more important.... :D

Hey I resemble that remark! :rolleyes:

KC - That's a sweet looking table -Huge but real nice as usual!
I would tend to agree with you & Bill that the top needs a little more "weight" to it though!

Can't wait to see the finished product. It would take me 3 years to finish a project that large.