Walnut, Hickory and Steel Coffee Table

[Mitch Fenneman]

I started this coffee table almost 3 years ago and then we moved about 1000 miles away and I had no shop area to work in. Then we had a baby and bought a new house. Finally I got my shop back and upgraded some tools and was able to finish this piece. The 3 solid boxes are walnut with continuous grain where I could make it happen and the 4th box is hickory on top that I filled a bunch of voids with epoxy and then the ends are walnut. The base I made out of 2×4 steel tubing to give it a more modern type feel to match the design.
Overall my wife is extremely happy with it and I am just happy it is out of my shop so I can start a new project!

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[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mitch, normally I am not a fan of modern design furniture but this design, those contrasting woods, the finish along with the addition of the steel base are really, really beautiful and work well together! Well done Sir!

[Jim Becker]

I think you nailed a very nice and interesting feel with that particular piece, Mitch. 'Glad you got it completed and I look forward to what comes next!

[John TenEyck]

Very nice work indeed on those continuous grain boxes, and the finish is outstanding.

John

[Mitch Fenneman]

Mitch, normally I am not a fan of modern design furniture but this design, those contrasting woods, the finish along with the addition of the steel base are really, really beautiful and work well together! Well done Sir!

Thank you Ken!

[Mitch Fenneman]

I think you nailed a very nice and interesting feel with that particular piece, Mitch. 'Glad you got it completed and I look forward to what comes next!

Thanks Jim! Next up is either going to be a dining room table, or a very large entertainment center area with fireplace. Haven't decided which yet, but hopefully neither of them take me nearly as long as this coffee table did!

[Mitch Fenneman]

Very nice work indeed on those continuous grain boxes, and the finish is outstanding.

John

Thanks John! Arm-R-Seal satin was the finish of choice. I used 3 coats and sanded with 800 grit and steel wool in between the coats respectively.

[Adam Herman]

what is the internal structure like? are the grooves between the boxes 3/4 deep and painted black on the back? very cool piece. inspiring design work.

[Mitch Fenneman]

They are 4 individual boxes that are only attached to the base by "feet" that hold them . The gaps in between the boxes go all the way to the base with nothing in between. The inside face of each of the boxes are made of plywood that are painted black.

Thanks Adam!

[Jim Tobias]

I really like the "Look" that you achieved with it! It is appealing to the eye in a variety of ways.

Jim

[Mitch Fenneman]

I really like the "Look" that you achieved with it! It is appealing to the eye in a variety of ways.

Jim

Thanks Jim!

[William Fretwell]

Mitch, the table showcases the wood grain very well. My only reservation, especially with a young family is dropping stuff in the gaps.

[Christopher Charles]

Really interesting piece with beautiful wood. Are walnut boxes solid wood? Or ply and veneer? Impressive either way. Will look forward to seeing your next project as well.

[Mitch Fenneman]

Really interesting piece with beautiful wood. Are walnut boxes solid wood? Or ply and veneer? Impressive either way. Will look forward to seeing your next project as well.

Thanks Christopher! The walnut boxes are solid wood, about 3/4" thick. The faces of each box that you can't see are plywood which I painted black.

[Mitch Fenneman]

Mitch, the table showcases the wood grain very well. My only reservation, especially with a young family is dropping stuff in the gaps.

Thanks William! I am sure there will be some items dropped down in there from time to time, but between each box and the base, it is open and whatever is dropped in can always be pushed back out through that gap. There is a piece of plywood that is inset flush with the top of the steel base, so it should be pretty easy to get anything that gets in there back out.