Another Coffee Table

[sachbvn]

Not piece I am the MOST proud of, but it was my first major commission.... not sure if I'd do another one - some days I had to force myself to work on it. I guess.... I would do another one but only when I wanted.... I didn't want to stain it, but they wanted it stained.

It came out ok - I took pictures all along the way but only will post a couple finished ones.


Thanks guys!
Zac

[Ruffnek]

Zac, I think it's beautiful. Is that Cherry?

Congrats on the commission, too.

[sachbvn]

Yep Cody, it's Cherry. Sorry - I forgot to mention that. It's Cherry with General Finishes "Georgian Cherry" gel stain.

I hate staining, but as far as staining goes - that stuff is really nice to work with.

Wipe on poly for the frame and regular Minwax satin poly thinned with Naptha for the top.


Zac

[Joe Lyddon]

Nice table!! ;D ;D

I'll bet they will be thrilled with it!

Congratulations!

[deepsplinter]

Nice little table there, Zac.

Do I remember you making one similar to that one awhile back?

Comfy lookin', TV watchin', love seat ya got there, too. (do people still call 'em "love seats")

[dcarter636]

That turned out nice; the top is very photogenic and the beveled under-edge is a nice touch.

[fredbelknap]

Zac that is a nice table . I am working on one very similar to that.

[boodrow]

Beautiful table Zac ! love the finish on it . Also very nice joinery work on it.
Boodrow

[sachbvn]

Dave - yes, I made another very similar to this - that one is what the people saw when they said they wanted one. I still call them "love seats."


Thanks for the kind words guys!!


Zac

[jb34]

Eventhough you didn't want to stain it I like how the color came out. So atleast it came out very good.

[Joe Lyddon]

Zac, if it's not too much trouble, I think it would be nice to see your Work in Process pictures...

Would anyone else like to see them? ;D

[sachbvn]

Mar 15, 2010 11:45:18 GMT -6 Joe Lyddon said:

Zac, if it's not too much trouble, I think it would be nice to see your Work in Process pictures...

Would anyone else like to see them? ;D

Sure Joe!














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[Joe Lyddon]

WOW!

That was FAST!

Do I see pocket screws to the legs?

Nice sequence...

Thank you!

[sawduster]

I still say, as far as stains go, I really like that color. Even if it did come out of a can. ;D Great job, Zac!

[dburkhart]

very nice zac

[Ruffnek]

Mar 15, 2010 13:06:19 GMT -6 sawduster said:

I still say, as far as stains go, I really like that color. Even if it did come out of a can. ;D Great job, Zac!

I agree, Jerry. That color, particularly on Cherry, enhances the natural color of the wood versus changing it to something it ain't.

I'm not opposed to staining, especially on the plainer, less expensive woods. That Alder furniture Stretch has built is a testament to how a rather bland wood can be made to look beautiful.

Also, as Zac's piece shows. it can even work on nicer woods like Cherry, especially if one doesn't want to wait 3-5 years for a darker patina to develop.

[Ruffnek]

Zac,

Thanks for posting the in-progress pics, too. It's always nice to see the "how I did it" pics rather than just read about it. I'm also a "show me how you did it" type rather than a "tell me how to do it" type. ;D

One other note, if I were you, I would change that switch on the router table asap. I had an identical switch in the identical spot on my router table but I would accidently turn it on or off when leaning against the table. I knew that it was just a matter of time before I accidently bumped it on with my hands in the wrong place.

So, I ordered one of these from Grizzly...$12.95 and I don't have to worry about accidently turning it on.



I'm not trying to be a safety policeman but I don't want to have to call you knubby, either.

[sachbvn]

Cody - you don't need to explain yourself about the suggestion! I'd prefer not be called nubby!

Joe - yes, pocket screws. They are filled and sanded flush on anything lower than the top apron, I did not plug the holes holding the top down.

The stain did come out nice.... it's a mix of good and bad to work with - mostly good, the only issue is....when spreading the stain, sometimes you get a slight streak of excess stain - no big deal, wipe that spot....which takes care of that streak, but may leave two more in it's place.... so you can see how it can become a bear to work with - but overall it is very forgiving and a breeze to work with. It does look nice, but I LOVE Cherry, just plain natural shaker style Cherry..... so.... I guess that is why I didn't really want to stain it - oh, AND because I don't think most people know how beautiful natural Cherry can be.

The pictures skip a few steps I always forget to stop and take a photo.... I get busy and before I realize it.... I'm way past where I should have taken a photo.

Cody - I agree, I love looking through pictures of people's builds. I included a CD of these pictures (plus a few more) with the table - if I had something like this built for me, I'd love looking at the pictures.... not sure if the recipient appreciated it or not - I know they appreciated the Cherry pen I made with some of the scrap wood.... Just a nicely done slimline in gun metal - the pen is the NATURAL color of Cherry!

Oh, and the safety switch..... no excuses - I need to replace it. I know, I agree. BUT - I will say, I do not leave the table plugged in when not in use - actually if I stopped using the table for anything other than getting another board or something - I totally unplug it. I realize how dangerous it would be if I bumped the switch on.... also, the overhang on the front of the table is pretty good.... I'd be fairly difficult to bump it on, BUT it would be possible.... next Grizzly order I shall order a switch! Heck - maybe even some time when Rockler has a "one item" sale or a free shipping thing.


Thanks!
Zac

[Doug B]

Nice job on the coffee table Zac. That is always a nice change of pace from turning.

[law]

A table to be proud of. I like the stain you selected.

Thanks for including the WIP pictures.

Yes, meeting other peoples deadlines sometimes is exasperating, but you did a super job and the pen from the wood is a unique idea.
I think you are going to get repeat business,

Larry