Popular Post Denette Posted September 6, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 The bottom part of the trestle is underway. The maple has been shaped, and the cherry that will laminate it is also very close to its final shape and will be trimmed to a perfect fit and glued on after the maple is permanently attached. I'm on hold for now. I had to order maple dowel rod to use for the drawbores in the mortises, tenons, and bridle joints. Not much to do for a few days, so I'll just let it be! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 On 9/3/2017 at 7:43 AM, Eric. said: Dutchman. Signed, Your friendly neighborhood terminology Nazi When I get through (more like give up on) learning German for an upcoming trip, I'll take on woodworking terminology! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 This is a great project journal. Since my last project was a table, I empathize with the space issuesl I also like your design adaptability, and the creativity that you bring to it. Nice work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denette Posted September 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 My dowel should get here later today. I ordered some cherry and some maple. Any recommendations on which to use? Originally I'd planned on maple, but with the aptly-labeled "ice cream sandwich" legs I am now leaning toward cherry. There is already a lot going on in this piece, I don't want to make it absurdly busy. Plus the crotch figure on the verticals of the legs is so gorgeous that I wouldn't want to distract from it with white polka dots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wdwerker Posted September 8, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Polka dots belong on itsy bitsy bikinis. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted September 9, 2017 Report Share Posted September 9, 2017 Polka dots belong on itsy bitsy bikinis. Only yellow ones! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Denette Posted September 11, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 A little more progress. I used cherry dowel and did my drawbore work on the legs. There was a nearly complete failure of one joint (the one with a close up) where the figure evidently caused the wood to be short grain and it cracked ⅞ of the way across the whole cherry piece when I tapped in the drawbored dowel. I don't think it will be the end of the world and I don't think I'll ever notice it in use, but just to be safe I'm going to shoot a few screws in up through the bottom of the leg and into the vertical part, just to be on the safe side. I think aside from my joinery troubles, it does look rather snazzy. I'm epoxying a few more defects in the top now that I've got the dye back (I previously borrowed it from my dad-in-law, but he needed it for a while, and now I've got it back). The time I spent in the shop yesterday was just frustrating. I put in a dovetail key on the underside near the edge, which caused a piece of the edge to try to flake right off when i hammered the key home. I had to remove the key, trim it thinner, put glue in the new cracks, then put in the key and clamp down the part that I had to glue back on. I discovered some awful dents in the tabletop that mean I'll likely have to do some serious sanding. One of the M&T joints on the legs almost blew up (cracked but didn't totally fracture) whenever I hammered in the drawbored dowel, and I was so preoccupied with getting the crack fixed that I missed the glaring problem that the joint wasn't seated all the way - one side was up with a 1/16" gap. Ugh. I've done a decent job of hiding my mistakes, but I'm definitely ready to stop fighting this thing and start eating off of it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Wet the dents using an eye dropper then run an iron set for cotton over the dent. Works like a charm. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Denette Posted September 13, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 On 9/11/2017 at 6:09 PM, wdwerker said: Wet the dents using an eye dropper then run an iron set for cotton over the dent. Works like a charm. I've heard that tip before, I may try it. A little progress this afternoon: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 I would have done the butterflies in a darker wood, especially since you did the dark epoxy, but that's just me! But, I bet it's going to be a beautiful piece anyway! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 These days I use a household iron w a Teflon coating straight on the wood. With an old steel iron I used a damp cotton rag over the dent. It makes a nice sizzling sound when it steams out the dent. It's easy to repeat as needed. Even if it doesn't completely raise the dent it will be much closer to the surface for sanding. Let the dent completely cool. I give it overnight to let any moisture evaporate before I sand. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denette Posted September 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 7 hours ago, K Cooper said: I would have done the butterflies in a darker wood, especially since you did the dark epoxy, but that's just me! But, I bet it's going to be a beautiful piece anyway! The project has been a learning experience in design, for sure. I've never really seen a piece with cherry and walnut paired, but I bet it looks great. I just used cherry and maple because it seemed like a good pairing that would highlight details and still have a similar texture. In hindsight, I suppose I also went with the high contrast pairing because Ishitani's table had a lot of contrast between the oak and walnut. Of course, his table didn't have goofy legs like mine does. We will see how it looks in the end, I guess. I'm very happy with the top. The legs... hmm. I'm not sure. They aren't awful, but the process of making them has been. I'm going to hold off on gluing the base in place and keep my options open as far as that's concerned. If it all falls apart I could always save the top and make a new base. I don't think it will, but with the way everything else has gone on this project... I'm finding out that a backup plan is a very good thing to have, haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 This is an exciting time when a project really starts to take on the finished form. I find something to learn in nearly every piece I do. That is what keeps me interested. Sometimes the learning curve can seem like tedium but that is mostly a state of mind. Enjoy the challenges and take the time to make your project your own. If we could all do it perfect every time . . . where would the fun be in that? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Denette Posted September 16, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 16, 2017 Working with what I had already, I got it together today! I opted to use the just-long-enough original stretcher, and to use a wedged tenon instead of a risked tenon. Sorry, @Eric, no interesting coverage of an open-ended dovetail-tusked tenon. I hope to see you give that a try some time, though, it sure looks cool! At this point I need to sand some corners and finish the sanding to 220 all over, probably higher on the top, and slather it with finish - I'm likely going to try ARS. The joints are all pretty solid, and the table has no wobble. I'm pleased. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Looks great! I'm not usually a fan of multiple wood types on tables but the way you did your legs is pretty cool. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 That's really gorgeous. Enjoyed reading the story. Can't wait to see it with the finish coat on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 You pulled this off with great results. Looks fantastic dude! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Agreed with all the above posters, ya done good. Now for the finish......waiting, waiting, waiting..........! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 When viewed as most folks will see it, like in the last pic above, the contrasting wood in the legs pretty much visually disappears. I know there was some discussion on the mixed woods early on. Not sure what the final verdict was for you. If you wanted to lessen the impact you could certainly tone the maple with a mild cherry-color dye or tinted shellac prior to the overall finish application. If you are happy with the contrast then, like others, I eagerly await see this piece when the finish hits it. Congrats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Turned out pretty cool. I was a little turned off by all the character in that cherry when I first saw it, but I think it works very well with the design. I'm still undecided on the maple legs. We'll see what it looks like finished. Anything oil-based will impart an amber hue to the maple so it shouldn't be so stark after finish. It's a neat piece, though...I like it. Guess I'll have to tackle the dovetail tusk tenon myself. I see how it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denette Posted September 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Thanks everyone! I sanded the whole thing to 220 and went nuts with the top and wet sanded to 2000 grit. I had the paper for it, so I indulged my inner perfectionist. I'll apply the first coats of finish later today, and will coat it over the week. i think I'm happy with the mixed-wood legs. I think it helps the legs stand out against the wood floor in my kitchen, otherwise the table base would kind of vanish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Denette Posted September 18, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Gentlemen, I present you my table. I am pleased. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 1 minute ago, Denette said: I am pleased. All that really counts! Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 Nice. One more project that will look good in your home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 18, 2017 Report Share Posted September 18, 2017 And we'll you should be pleased. Damn nice job there bud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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