Don Bullock
07-20-2007, 12:33 PM
It's finally done! No, I didn't spend the last twenty years making the table. Actually, except for the sanding and finishing the table was made in a three day class that I took at the WoodCraft store in Stanton, California (thanks to Ron Higgins for the excellent class). I used to make furniture, but got away from it due to many reasons. Since I'm close to retirement (one more year in the classroom) I decided to try making furniture again. The table is my first project and I had a blast making it.
Yes, I realize that it is a very simple project to many here, but I've built more than a table. The project improved my skills, knowledge and confidence. It got me going again. For me that's priceless.
We got a choice of cherry or oak for the table. I chose cherry. Once I made that choice the rest of the decisions on the wood were up to chance. Before we got started the instructor of the class handed each of us the wood we needed from a cart. The following pictures show the results.
68416
As you can see, the table is a basic Shaker design that many people have made over the years. It's a good "beginner" project. The rails are attached with mortise and tenon construction.The finish is BLO (thanks to Jim Becker and others for the help on that) with lacquer (thanks to Nancy Laird for the information).
68417
A closer picture showing the front with a full width drawer. I would like to have had a "better" piece here, but I didn't have much choice. This was the "best" grain pattern on the board and I also had to work around a bad knot.
68418
We didn't get into dovetails as you can see here. The joinery for the drawer was rabbetted tongue-and-grove. I added the cherry Miller dowels at home to give the drawer sides a little accent.
68419
I was very happy with the wood I got for the top. The wood has some "character" and a little curl in the grain pattern. In fact, the instructor wanted to swap it for one that he had at home.
68420
This is the table in our dining room. The cherry chair is part of our dining set that we bought a couple of years ago. The table in that set replaced a trestle table that I made when we were married. The new table helped to inspire me to start making furniture again. NOTE: Yes, we collect basset hound figurines. All the pictures on the table, the painting on the lamp and the one above the lamp are of our first AKC Champion, CH. Shoefly's Bud Light.
Well, I hope I haven't bored you too much, but I'm excited. My plans for the next table are well under way. I bought the curly cherry for it this week and am finishing up my design based on the wood that I bought. The new table will be more in the Greene & Greene style with breadboard ends. I hope to get started on it soon. First I have to finish up my mantle project (pics soon) and do some other woodworking projects.
I'd like to thank all who have been helpful and supportive as I've gotten back into the hobby. Hopefully my next project won't take as long.;)
Yes, I realize that it is a very simple project to many here, but I've built more than a table. The project improved my skills, knowledge and confidence. It got me going again. For me that's priceless.
We got a choice of cherry or oak for the table. I chose cherry. Once I made that choice the rest of the decisions on the wood were up to chance. Before we got started the instructor of the class handed each of us the wood we needed from a cart. The following pictures show the results.
68416
As you can see, the table is a basic Shaker design that many people have made over the years. It's a good "beginner" project. The rails are attached with mortise and tenon construction.The finish is BLO (thanks to Jim Becker and others for the help on that) with lacquer (thanks to Nancy Laird for the information).
68417
A closer picture showing the front with a full width drawer. I would like to have had a "better" piece here, but I didn't have much choice. This was the "best" grain pattern on the board and I also had to work around a bad knot.
68418
We didn't get into dovetails as you can see here. The joinery for the drawer was rabbetted tongue-and-grove. I added the cherry Miller dowels at home to give the drawer sides a little accent.
68419
I was very happy with the wood I got for the top. The wood has some "character" and a little curl in the grain pattern. In fact, the instructor wanted to swap it for one that he had at home.
68420
This is the table in our dining room. The cherry chair is part of our dining set that we bought a couple of years ago. The table in that set replaced a trestle table that I made when we were married. The new table helped to inspire me to start making furniture again. NOTE: Yes, we collect basset hound figurines. All the pictures on the table, the painting on the lamp and the one above the lamp are of our first AKC Champion, CH. Shoefly's Bud Light.
Well, I hope I haven't bored you too much, but I'm excited. My plans for the next table are well under way. I bought the curly cherry for it this week and am finishing up my design based on the wood that I bought. The new table will be more in the Greene & Greene style with breadboard ends. I hope to get started on it soon. First I have to finish up my mantle project (pics soon) and do some other woodworking projects.
I'd like to thank all who have been helpful and supportive as I've gotten back into the hobby. Hopefully my next project won't take as long.;)