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Other topics for members => General Woodworking => Topic started by: Sparty on February 08, 2010, 01:12:24 PM

Title: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 08, 2010, 01:12:24 PM
Well, its about time that I posted one of my projects instead of just admiring everybody else's.  Its a walnut and curly maple sofa table made for an auction that benefits my son's school.  All of the lumber came from city trees destined for the landfill or furnace.

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/sofa_table_014.jpg)(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/sofa_table_006.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/sofa_table_010.jpg)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: tmroper on February 08, 2010, 01:38:08 PM
That is beautiful. Very well done and a nice design.  I am glad you posted this and hope you post more of your work.
I am envious of you guys who have all the great tree selection to choose from we don't have many tree species to choose from here in Montana.
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Payton34 on February 08, 2010, 01:40:31 PM
The table is gorgeous.  I especially love the design.  Someone will be
very lucky to win that.  great work :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Jeff on February 08, 2010, 01:41:38 PM
You do have your signature on the underside somewhere don't you?

Thats Great. :)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Warbird on February 08, 2010, 01:55:19 PM
Nice work, Sparty.  Thanks for posting it!  You guys are inspiring me to get my act together with all my house projects, so I can actually start doing some real woodworking. 
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Norm on February 08, 2010, 01:57:58 PM
Beautiful lines and design, thank you for sharing it with us. :)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: John Bartley on February 08, 2010, 02:31:33 PM
How lovely is that eh?  Such graceful lines!!!  It's very Nakashima-esque.

cheers

John
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 08, 2010, 03:15:34 PM
Very well done. Will make someone a nice addition to their living room or hall.  8)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: pigman on February 08, 2010, 03:37:48 PM
That table is beautiful. 8) That table is just too nice to be an outside table, bring it in out of the snow. ;) ;D
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: metalspinner on February 08, 2010, 04:00:26 PM
Very, col.

Those legs look like deer.  I like the look of the aprons gripping the top.
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Larry on February 08, 2010, 04:59:59 PM
Very nice...I really like the design.
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 08, 2010, 07:01:58 PM
Thank you all....you're very kind.  I'll try to get a few other pictures up soon.
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: pasbuild on February 08, 2010, 07:26:17 PM
NICE
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: oakiemac on February 08, 2010, 08:31:34 PM
Now that's pretty!
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Burlkraft on February 09, 2010, 06:16:56 AM
That's awesome Sparty!!  8)  8)  8)

I like the design, the lines and the wood  ;D  ;D  ;D

Some one will indeed be lucky to win that one.

Way to go!  8)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Don K on February 09, 2010, 10:03:18 AM
Very nice. I love the design and contrasting woods. You are a true craftsman.

Don
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: woodsteach on February 09, 2010, 11:23:48 AM
Great job! 8) 8)

Is there any worry of the expansion of the board knocking off those "ears"?

woods
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: jdtuttle on February 09, 2010, 12:24:34 PM
I like that design. Great job
jim
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Ironwood on February 09, 2010, 12:36:04 PM
Nice, Ironwood
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 12:51:41 PM
Posted by: woodsteach  
Insert Quote
Great job!  
Is there any worry of the expansion of the board knocking off those "ears"?

Good question woodsteach.... The maple top has a hidden slot that sits atop what appear to be "ears."  The top can expand and slide over the supports.  The ears actually extend under the top a few inches in the slots.  The top is pinned down in the middle and then has sliding attachments towards the outside edges. I can pull up some more pictures if somebody really wants to see the specifics.

Tmroper: what kind of eastern woods would you like to work with?  I could always be convinced to ship a freebie to a fellow FF member!  what kind of projects would you like to work on?  If you live near a trout stream....I'll pack up all the cherry, walnut, and maple I have and head West!  I was out fishing in MT last summer.


Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: tmroper on February 09, 2010, 03:12:46 PM
Sparty,
We could definitely do something I am a fly fisherman myself and have a wooden driftboat that I built.  I know all the ranchers that border the river so have good access.  As far as species I would have to ask the boss, I mean wife ;D to see what projects she has on my list.

Once again that table is Nice!
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: woodsteach on February 09, 2010, 04:06:15 PM


Good question woodsteach.... The maple top has a hidden slot that sits atop what appear to be "ears."  The top can expand and slide over the supports.  The ears actually extend under the top a few inches in the slots.  The top is pinned down in the middle and then has sliding attachments towards the outside edges. I can pull up some more pictures if somebody really wants to see the specifics.

You bet more pix explaining that please

woods
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 04:41:12 PM
Quote from: tmroper on February 09, 2010, 03:12:46 PM
Sparty,
We could definitely do something I am a fly fisherman myself and have a wooden driftboat that I built.  I know all the ranchers that border the river so have good access.  As far as species I would have to ask the boss, I mean wife ;D to see what projects she has on my list.

Once again that table is Nice!

Perfect! Now I have to send you something....walnut, cherry, ash, wide planks, turning stock...let me know.  I you are ever in Michigan I can take you out for trout, salmon, muskie..whatever.  Our salmon runs are almost as good as alaska if you know the  right river.....(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0220.JPG)(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0180.JPG)(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0228.JPG)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 04:57:37 PM
Lets see if I can explain this....in the picture below you can see how a slot was cut into the maple top.  It fits on to the walnut base with just enough room for the walnut to expand a little come summer time.  The slot in the maple extends further towards the middle of the table than the walnut support does, allowing the maple top to slide back and forth over the walnut support as the top expands and contracts.  Clear as mud?(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0470.JPG)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 05:02:00 PM
Another project:(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0473.JPG)(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0476.JPG)(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/DSC_0475.JPG)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Warbird on February 09, 2010, 05:23:52 PM
Wow. 
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: D._Frederick on February 09, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
spart

Are those lake fish? Nice catch. 

You have the proportion perfect, do you make a model or do you design with a computor program?
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 08:16:07 PM
Quote from: D._Frederick on February 09, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
spart

Are those lake fish? Nice catch. 

You have the proportion perfect, do you make a model or do you design with a computor program?
Those are Lake Michigan fish.  We get alot of the west coast species here...the original stocking source was probably in your neck of the woods for some of our fish.  We get kings, coho, steelhead (spring and summer/skamania), pink, atlantic, coaster brookies, splake, and lakers.  The new world record brown 41 lbs was caught here last fall.

I usually start designs with small sketches and sometimes move to google sketchup after that.  Even the CAD drawings are usually a rough sketch...I usually change things alot to work around the specific pieces of wood that I have and always have to adjust the design as I go to look better to my eye.  If I figure out how to post a sketchup file, I will post one.
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: WDH on February 09, 2010, 09:27:59 PM
The style and proportions of your table legs make them look just like the real legs of a gazelle or antelope.  Those pieces look alive, like they will walk off if you take your eye off them.  It would be scary to come into a room and find that you table has been walking around on its own  :D.

This is really lovely and inspiring work!
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Larry on February 09, 2010, 11:29:53 PM
Quote from: Sparty on February 09, 2010, 08:16:07 PM
If I figure out how to post a sketchup file, I will post one.

Convert it to a jpeg than you can post, email, etc.  In sketchup hit File>export>2D Graphic and a window opens.  For export type choose jpeg.  Hit the export button and your done.

Wow...nice looking fish also.

Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Sparty on February 10, 2010, 10:07:05 AM
Thanks Larry

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/14912/1285/sofa_table.jpg)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: tmroper on February 10, 2010, 12:57:20 PM
Sparty you are giving me the fever looking at those pics!  I am looking forward to spring this has been such a long winter and I haven't ever done any ice fishing we always have so much to do on the ranch in the winter to get away.  I really like the coffee table you posted also I am going to have to keep these pics away from my wife or I will have more on my to do list. ;D
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: OneWithWood on February 11, 2010, 02:25:17 PM
Very, very, nice.

Beautiful design and execution  8)
Title: Re: just completed..walnut/maple sofa table
Post by: Ole CB on February 15, 2010, 05:44:28 PM
  Sparty,

  I wish I'd have seen this afore I posted the little dab of work I've been doing.   :-\

  I am VERY interested in seeing more pictures of this table and anything else you'd like to share.

  Thanks,

  ed