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Thread: Octagonal Compass Rose Table

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
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    Octagonal Compass Rose Table

    The idea was to make something that could sit on the deck and act as a sort of cocktail table. I had a slab of eucalyptus and some white oak and COVID was just beginning to rear its ugly head.

    I took the slab and made the largest octagon I could


    Then I started playing around with ideas for the base. I knew I had to strengthen the post so I took some cutoffs from the slab


    I balanced the top on the base and it dawned on me the feet were probably too short. We also decided at that time the top needed to be higher, after playing around with how the chairs would work.

    So I borrowed a boat building technique known as scarphing and set to scarph on some eucalyptus extensions on the white oak feet.




    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain

  2. #2
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    Next came how to do the Compass Rose? After watching a couple of videos, I began the work.


    The veneers are light and fumed mahogany. First was to cut up some pieced and glue the two veneers together.


    I had drawn the Compass Rose on heavy stock and used that to tape the pieces in place


    As I started filling in the background I couldn't decide if it should be round or octagonal


    So I set that aside to thing about it and got back to the base. We finally decided on a finished height.
    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain

  3. #3
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    Starting to take shape Julie! Very nice. I will enjoy looking for the finished project. Good to see you posting again. Did you ever get that Hammer jointer planer tuned up to your satisfaction. I remain tempted to take the plunge, but would be interested in your overall opinion.

  4. #4
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    If you align the octagons it may look OK but I’ve only ever seen a round compass rose. Is the table top deep enough that it could be a real compass with a glass cover?
    ​You can do a lot with very little! You can do a little more with a lot!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rainey View Post
    Starting to take shape Julie! Very nice. I will enjoy looking for the finished project. Good to see you posting again. Did you ever get that Hammer jointer planer tuned up to your satisfaction. I remain tempted to take the plunge, but would be interested in your overall opinion.
    Thank you, Mark. I did get the JP dialed in fairly well and use it all the time. I'm at that point I'd really miss it if it was gone. The plunge was worth it.

    Quote Originally Posted by William Fretwell View Post
    If you align the octagons it may look OK but I’ve only ever seen a round compass rose. Is the table top deep enough that it could be a real compass with a glass cover?
    William, the table was finished a couple days ago. Your suggestion reminds me of something my SO would come up with. I often reply, "Can't you think of anything to make it harder?"
    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain

  6. #6
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    This became what was called the "Middle Earth" look and was eventually abandoned


    I used some white oak to bring the top up to the height we finally decided on. This has a couple coats of varnish and I'm sanding for the next coat.


    Back to the compass rose...


    I sanded off a lot of the temporary sealant from the table and used a router to cut the recess for the Compass Rose. Then I used some planks from a model ship to encircle it. CA was used to glue in the trim.
    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain

  7. #7
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    For the top, I used Interlux Perfection Plus. It's a 2-part poly that Practical Sailor rated the best finish in a test they performed. It was the only "varnish" to still maintain coat integrity after 2 years.


    This is where we imagined this table to be prior to starting the project. We have a couple more chairs to go around it. I'm going to give it a week indoors for the finish to cure a little more.
    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain

  8. #8
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    Dec 2019
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    That looks great! I prefer the new legs.

  9. #9
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    Mar 2015
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    SE Michigan
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    Very nice, Julie! Compass rose inlay looks great.

  10. #10
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    Feb 2003
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    Leesville, SC
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    Beautiful Table.... You can be proud of that one.
    Army Veteran 1968 - 1970
    I Support the Second Amendment of the US Constitution

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    McKinney, TX
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    Gorgeous table
    Steve Jenkins, McKinney, TX. 469 742-9694
    Always use the word "impossible" with extreme caution

  12. #12
    Beautiful table. Impressive work, thanks for sharing

  13. #13
    You did a great job on that table. Congratulations!

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    South Carolina
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    That is very nice. I like the contrasting woods.

  15. #15
    That is a beautiful table! Real nice look and the creativity jumps out!

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