allencrane Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 I'm a little stuck in the design phase for my next build and my wife had the great idea to put it out to the guild and fellow woodworkers for ideas. I am building a massive 7' x 7' square dining table, and I've decided to use 2" thick select walnut butcher block for the top. This is primarily due to me wanting to maximize my chances of that much surface area (49 sqft) ending up flat. Also, given the table's size, I am looking for ways to enhance the design so it's not too plain. The only design decisions I am convinced of so far are: 7' x 7' square pedestal base to maximize legroom and keep knees from hitting table legs 4" wide apron all the way around to make table look thicker Other than that, I'm open to thoughts on the top. My wife has a traditional Mexican talavera set, so can't be too modern in style. I also think Greene and Greene elements would be a great touch, borrowing some ideas from the Robinson House table, for example. Pinterest has some ideas too, though nothing yet has hit me as "the" table. https://www.pinterest.com/search/?q=square%20dining%20table I would love to see any pics of tables you have made, design ideas for future table projects, or suggestions for my build. I'll be posting my progress along the way too. Thanks in advance! Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 What about a display at the center of the table? Your wife can then fill it with dried flowers or grains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 A chip carved or inlaid border might look cool. Hope you own a forklift to move it....that will be a MASSIVE table! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 What I meant with table display is sort of something like this: An inlaid glass and some stuff under it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 What about doing some kind of wide inlaid banding toward the edges of the table? Maybe a 2-3" wide band all around the table with a wide strip of cherry sandwiched between narrow little strips of maple? Add some color contrast and visual interest. Might look too busy with the butcher block aesthetic though. Like this: Not sure what the rules are for using Internet photos - mods let me know if this isn't kosher and I'll remove it. Got the image from http://onlycornerstone.com/wp-content/uploads/4695-1-Kindel-Inlaid-Regency-Dining-Table.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Make sure 7' will fit through your doors. Sure would suck not to be able to get it in the house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted March 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 Awesome comments, friends! I really appreciate the pics DanielAG and bgreenb. I'll post the project as it comes along. Thank you for taking the time to share your suggestions! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 Make the top in two or more pieces to get it through the door or out of your shop. Also the underframe may need to have some method of disassembly maybe by making the legs removable. That way the frame can be turned on a diagonal to get through a standard door. Future generations will thank you for it. On that size of table a pedestal base may be too unstable as you still need to think about centre of gravity, people leaning on it, unequally distributed loading etc. If you have legs at all four corners you may also need legs in the centre of the span otherwise the aprons will have to be that thick that you won't be able to get your legs under it. Like to see what you come up with, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Wanted to give you all an update on the table...it's coming along. The top is now 4 sections of butcher block counter top, the base is a cross-shaped lattice so as to spread the weight across more square footage, and the steel frame is just more support for the top and helps to secure it to the base. Still to go are the side aprons to give it a look of about 4" thick. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 My helper... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 That is one massive looking table! Really cool design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Top looks great. What did you use for finish? Will you be elongating the holes in the steel base to fasten the top to account for any movement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 @shaneymack, @wtnhighlander... Thank you! Finish is Tru-Oil gunstock finish, approx 7 coats. I am still on the fence with elongating the holes. As the top is 1-1/2" thick and may be as stable as a workbench top. That said, I'm actually thinking about tapping the top from the underside with 5/16" threads so I can use threaded bolts to attach the frame to the top, a la my bench crafted workbench vises. Do you think I risk catastrophic wood movement? The Tru-Oil finish is on all sides so as to equalize moisture in all directions. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Super nice job! I would make the holes in the steel frame oversized to allow for wood movement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted July 28, 2015 Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 I would still elongate the holes no matter what. Its wood, It WILL move. Its inevitable. Youre better off being safe than sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted July 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2015 Great suggestions, guys. I will do that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdrewferd Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Awesome table. I am actually in the planning stages to build one very similar, just in a regular 4'x8' size. I do have a question though. For all the pieces of wood, did you just glue them all together, or did you use another method to help keep them aligned and tight? I'm not sure if you would really want to use dowels, dominos, or even screws to help the glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 If I was building a top that massive, I'd be gluing it up in 12" sections leaving it as thick as possible for future tinkering. The strips look to be about 1.25-1.75" thick. That's a lot of strips to try and keep aligned. I would personally be using SOME sort of alignment aids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted November 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Update on the table...it's done! And just in time for Thanksgiving! I think it turned out nice, and my wife loves it. Special thanks to all of you who offered your ideas and encouragement for this beast of a project!https://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/25/2f4cb0a6d67b8fe632619cdca7e4606d.jpghttps://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/25/e51834e1f7ccd4a3dba9b0f00c531ac6.jpghttps://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/25/ecb98e9caca5fa40b77ad7d96fac595c.jpg]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Looks good Allen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Glad the table is done and the boss loves it, but your images didn't show in the post so the rest of us simpletons can't see the finished project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Can you click on the links? The images should come up. Normally they are embedded. If not, shoot me your email and I'll send them to you. Take care! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allencrane Posted November 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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