Kids Train Table Finish - pics

[Dennis Peacock]

Well...It ain't fine furniture, but a customer of mine wanted a kids table for his wooden model trains. Made from White Oak and stained Dark Walnut and finished with Semi-Gloss Poly. This project reminded me of just how much I dislike working with Poly as a clear topcoat. Table measures 36" by 50" and is 19" high. The legs fold and I got the folding brackets from Rockler.

One thing to note....when you make a table with folding legs? It will NOT be rock steady. I worked it every way I could to take out the wobble. All my efforts with my "wobble eraser" failed. So I guess he'll just have a wobbly kids train table. :rolleyes:

Thanks for looking.

[Brett Baldwin]

Unless the legs locked with a brace, I can't imagine them ever being very secure. The table looks good though. It should serve its function well.

[Tim Burke]

Dennis,

Is that a solid wood top or plywood?

Tim

[Tom Pritchard]

Great job Dennis, the finish on the table looks wonderful! Maybe you don't like working with poly, but you sure made it look good! My kids grew up before I started woodworking, and I remember buying a pressboard Brio train table that was a real hunk o' junk, and I know they would have loved something as nice as the one you made.

I wonder if these would have made the legs any more stable?

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40035&cat=3,43586

Nice project Dennis!

[John Buzzurro]

Dennis - nice job on the table. I was thinking of doing a table like that myself, but now I'm worried about it being stable enough.

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?

[Dennis Peacock]

Dennis,

Is that a solid wood top or plywood?

Tim

Tim,

It's all solid lumber and heavy!!!!! It's what the customer wanted. :D

[Dennis Peacock]

Dennis - nice job on the table. I was thinking of doing a table like that myself, but now I'm worried about it being stable enough.

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?

John,
I don't like "waiting" on Poly
I don't like the little "bubbles" that poly develops during the drying process
I don't like having to sand between every coat with Poly
I don't like the way dry Poly sands
(insert growning list here)......

Other than that? It's a great finish. :rolleyes: :D

[Dennis Peacock]

Great job Dennis, the finish on the table looks wonderful!
I wonder if these would have made the legs any more stable?
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40035&cat=3,43586
Nice project Dennis!

Tom,

Thanks for the kinds words. It took 4 days to get the Poly finish on. I almost went "stir crazy" around my shop. Apply finish and can't do ANYTHING in the shop due to dust control for the poly to dry as dust free as possible.

Making the legs more sturdy? Ya mean like these? (pic below):eek: :rolleyes:

[Jim Becker]

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?'

Despite the fact that the marketers encourage you to slather polyurethane varnish on anything and everything, there are actually very few situations where the slightly increased abrasion and heat resistance properties that poly has are really necessary, if at all. There are so many nicer looking finishes, both oil-based and water-borne, and the latter, in particular are easier to work with and clean up after. The only thing I've built in recent years that has polyurethane on it is my kitchen table and even that was a tough call for me and I shared the same frustrations that Dennis did on his train table project.
-----

Speaking of which, Dennis! Nice job!

[Dennis Peacock]

'

Despite the fact that the marketers encourage you to slather polyurethane varnish on anything and everything, there are actually very few situations where the slightly increased abrasion and heat resistance properties that poly has are really necessary, if at all. There are so many nicer looking finishes, both oil-based and water-borne, and the latter, in particular are easier to work with and clean up after. The only thing I've built in recent years that has polyurethane on it is my kitchen table and even that was a tough call for me and I shared the same frustrations that Dennis did on his train table project.
-----

Speaking of which, Dennis! Nice job!

Thanks Jim....I knew somebody would jump in here with a better explaination. :D

I prefer Shellac or Lacquer for my finishes. I have a customer wanting a kitchen table, so I'm going to go with Sherwin-Williams CAB Lacquer. I know it HAS to be sprayed, but is supposed to provide a really tough finish.

[Joe Unni]

Dennis,

Great functional table.

Stability...

I used the same folding brackets on a kids activity table. Though much smaller (~18" x 24"), it's seen 5+ years of hard kid use and has never tipped over nor have the brackets shown signs of failure.

Poly...

I actually enjoy it. However, I don't brush it on for the reasons you describe. I always wipe it on. Though it takes several more coats, drying time is quicker, airborne dust is less of a problem and the sanding in between goes pretty quick. My 2 cents.

Good luck,
-joe

[Ken Fitzgerald]

John,
I don't like "waiting" on Poly
I don't like the little "bubbles" that poly develops during the drying process
I don't like having to sand between every coat with Poly
I don't like the way dry Poly sands
(insert growning list here)......

Other than that? It's a great finish. :rolleyes: :D

So.....Come on Dennis....Tell us how you really feel about Poly....:eek: :rolleyes: :D

BTW..Great kids table Dennis!

[Steve Clardy]

Looks great.
I hate poly also.