Simple Occasional Tables

I wanted to explore some simple ideas for occassional tables. Elegant and functional in their own right, but also basic starting points from which semi-custom pieces could be developed. In the picture, above, you can see a SketchUp™ rendering of my initial three models. From the left, small square coffee table, hall/sofa table, and rectangular coffee table.

After a little tweaking, I was ready to make some maquettes:

The small square coffee table, with ramin legs and aprons, and a pine top:

Hall/Sofa table, with cherry legs and aprons, and pine top:

 

And the rectangular coffee table, with oak legs and apron, and pine top:

18" Bandsaw Project part 1

My small Jet bandsaw really isn't up to the task of making deep cuts, for example when ripping my own wide veneer. Five inches seems to be it's comfortable limit in wood such as beech, and the guides only allow for a six inch depth anyway. So, what to do? Save up a grand or two for a light trade machine, or improvise?

I've been a follower of woodgears.ca, the wonderfull site of Matthias Wandel, for some time now. Matthias is what I would call a engineer who works primarily in wood. His inventive mind has lead him to create many wooden marvels, amongst which his wooden woodworking machines are a joy behold. Anyway, Matthias had built a largish bandsaw from wood, and it seemed to work remarkably well. This inspired me to set about building, rather than buying, the larger bandsaw I desired. Having got about two thirds of the way to date, I think I should have just purchased Matthias's bandsaw plans, rather than design my own from scratch! However, I like a challenge and will be pleased to have my own design when it's all finished. Much respect and thanks to Matthias though, for it was his success at building a bandsaw that gave me confidence that it was a feasible idea. Also, having purchased Matthias's BigPrint software, I could easily produce full size paper templates for any of the parts I needed.

So, how is the project going? The saw is currently running and tracks really well. I still need to build guards and a table for it, most likely upgrade the old motor that I've been using and enclose it, and devise some good dust collection/extraction.

Coffee Table in Spalted Beech and Mahogany

Natural Edged Yellow Butt Clock

Hoping to identify the wood species soon, of this lovely mustard yellow timber that was part of the butt of a small shrub I removed from the garden two years ago.

Fish Tank Stand in Pine

Built for a 40-60cm globe tank

with storage space for mains multi-socket and lamp timer

Rocker Progress 3

Finished!

Rocker Progress 2

I've started the polish! Polishing being final surface preparation and application of all finishing product, not a rub over with Pledge or similar household product!
The finish I'm using is Tung oil based, and should build up to a nice gloss / semi-gloss appearance. A coat of furniture wax over this should really make it 'pop'.

Rocker Progress 1

Well I hope you agree that it's further along. Most of the shaping is done now, just fairing of the joints before initial sanding, then glue-up.

Rocking chair in mahogany - in progress

Have been making a rocking chair for the past few weeks. This a a Sam Maloof inspired piece, and I've used both videos of Sam, and also the Charles Brock plans, to come up with this chair. Clearly there is much more to do before I can rock in it!

Keep watching to see how it comes on.