Table is done
Tony - Memphis
Well, I finally finished this table. I think I posted pics of the prototype a while back. This has been an experiment and a learning project. I have always wanted to try the compass star inlay. Not sure why, but I like those. I needed a small bedside table, so voila. I started out with a much different idea, but there was not enough space next to the bed. I figured this would act as a future occasional table too.
The wood is Honduran mahogany. This is the first project I've built with mahogany and not stained. I'm not crazy about the orange leaning, but I sure like seeing the mahogany dance! The star is tiger maple and king wood I think. There are several "design" opportunities that occurred while building this. I meant for the top to be a little wider, the circle on the middle shelf was meant to go behind the star on top, etc. I didn't set out to inlay the other two shelves, but I wanted to use that ring, so I came up with the idea for using the ebony to make the arrows (what is it? - I dunno?). The bottom design was then done because I thought it needed to have something - leaving it blank would have looked funny? That design is a stylized sun inspired by old maps. It is made of satinwood (two layers).
Part of the experiment here was using my CNC router. I used it for roughing the inlay, cutting the arrows and the sun, and cutting the legs. I cut the arrow inlay by hand. I traced the star with an exacto and then finished the recess by hand (thank goodness for 2.5X glasses!).
Anyway, sorry to ramble. The finish is about 4 coats of Minwax Gloss wipe on poly. I sand rub, sand rub, etc. Last was 0000 steel wool and wax. Oh, one thing I did that I'm not happy with at all...I scraped the inlaid surfaces to avoid clouding the lighter inlay with darker dust. I learned that I am not a good scraper! And, most of that doesn't show up in my shop lighting until you get a few layers of finish applied! You know that "hand scraped/planed look" they try and sell? I achieved it without trying! Live and learn. I made a prototype of the star inlay and turned it into a mouse pad. I know I sanded it and the maple in it is still pretty bright, so.... But, I will say, this maple is very bright. It really stands out. I'll be more careful and practice.
One more Oh...the joinery is dowels. They go through the shelves. I built a jig for the drill press that held the pieces in the correct position for drilling. That worked "ok." Might try something better next time. This all had to be pretty spot on for the joinery to close up nice....its close, but not as close as I wanted. And, drilling face grain vs end grain results in different size holes! I guess due to movement of my jig, end vs face grain, etc.
Ok, I'll shut up now!
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. Oh well... .