In Part I of this project, I cut mitred returns in the cherry crotch slab and joined the three legs to the table top with Domino floating tenons. I then cut and fit five maple dovetail keys.
Due to the way that the wood dried, neither the top nor the legs were particularly flat, so I simply used a sander to make them fair and smooth.
This is an excellent example of how my designs are influenced by the materials I use. The overall size of the materials dictate the dimensions of the piece, and the shape of the live edge and grain patterns influence where cuts are made and where dovetail keys can be used in best effect.
Due to the height, this piece works equally well as a coffee table and a bench.
Check the product page for more details on this coffee table/bench.
Links:
- Single-Slab Coffee Table, Part II
- Product page for Single-Slab Coffee Table/Bench
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 
Nice I’d like dark wood for the bow ties
That would be interesting as well. However, dark bow ties would not stand out as much.
Chris
Chris, how thick are your butterfly inlays and how thick is the slab?
Ethan,
The dovetail keys are about 7/8″ thick, and the slab is about 2-1/4″ thick.
Chris
Cool. Thanks for the info!
That’s amazing. Love the use of the floating tenons.
Thanks, Ray. Mitres are perhaps my favourite place to use floating tenons.
Chris
This is pretty darn CCOOOOLL
Nice, very nice job Chris.
Thank you, Rob.
Chris
I love it ! of course! ;)
Can not wait to see you employ some” sliding butterfly” joinery and “half blind bowtie” joinery!
Sad to see what is lost when so many learn to work wood off the internet instead of time honored methods being handed down by Craftsmen/Persons and respected as they should.
Great placement and use of the maple Structural Dovetail-Keys, Nice seeing them used correctly and not just as a decorative detail or inlay, which these certainly are not
As always you are breath of fresh air my Friend!
I think it time I start wearing a bowtie (which gets its name from the BOW tied in the center) that has butterfly’s on it.
Truly,
Arse Hole Face
Hi Dan,
Is the bowtie that one might wear with a dress shirt structural?
Chris