JohnnyNoName Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I started working on a coffee table for my living room. It is all based on a live-edge chestnut slad I saw at a lumberyard one day. It was one of those moments when I just had to have it. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, but I had to get it. It's been sitting in my whop for almost a year, waiting for me to have the time and the design to get going on it. Well I have the time now, but I don't have the plan set for the base. Since I know what I'm doing with the top - almost nothing to it - I decided to start anyway. Here's the slab: Today I finsihng making a router sled to flatten the slab. It started at about 8/4. I had to take approximately 3/16" - 1/4" off to flatten the one side. Router sled with slab ready to go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted June 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Here is the slab after the initial flattening of what I think will be the bottom: I took the slab back into the shop and used my #7 to complete the flatenning. I will wait to use my smoother for when all flattening is complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Thats going to be a sweet table I like the contrasting colors. The only thing I would have done different is I would have had a coffe mug on the slab in that last pic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fransikaner Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Awesome start! Thanks for sharing and please keep us in the loop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mds2 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Johnny, how large is that slab? I love the color of it, I would have bought it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Johnny, how large is that slab? I love the color of it, I would have bought it too. It is 74" long and 18"-28" wide. Jonathan ========================= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Surfaced the second side. I marked three of the sides for trimming. The two ends needed to be cleaned up and the straighter edge had some checks and splintering. Long edge ready for trimming Short edge ready for trimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Using my circular saw and straight-edge jig to make the cuts. I used my #7 to flatten the side. The slab planed very well. No problems at all. The curly grain is going to be a little more of a challenge at smoothing I think. I rubbed down the slab with some mineral spirits to preview the grain. Sorry for the blurry picture. Here is a better shot of some of the curl. Until next time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted September 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Long story short, after a much too long hiatus, I have done some more work on the coffee table. I decided to make the base out of walnut. First I made a template for the feet out of MDF. First I printed out the feet design and spray-glued it onto the MDF. I then cut it out with my jigsaw and smoothed it with a combination of spokeshaves, files, and sandpaper. I used the template to trace the shape onto the walnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted September 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 After the shape was drawn with chalk (didn't the pink look nice on the walnut?), I rough-cut the feet out on my bandsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted September 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2012 Unfortunately I have run into a problem. There is a crack in the one foot that runs along the length of it. I think I am going to fill it in with some colored epoxy and soldier on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Jonathan, will that crack close tight if you clamp it? If so, all you need to do is glue and clamp it shut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyNoName Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Jonathan, will that crack close tight if you clamp it? If so, all you need to do is glue and clamp it shut. It might. I'll have to see, but I don't want an ugly glue line. If I have to have something showing, I'd prefer it to be dark. Woodworking ... always an adventure. :-) Jonathan ========================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBaker Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 I use Titebond III because it dries dark brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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