Maple Slab Table

For a beautiful, smooth finish that requires little maintenance I first brushed on two coats of polyurethane to build the finish.  Then I smoothed the surface with extra-fine steel wool before spraying on three coats of satin polyurethane.  I sprayed the base with five coats of gloss black enamel. Read the details of the Tweet-Along … Continue reading Maple Slab Table

Maple Slab Build, Session 3

Friday night, I went down to the shop because I wanted to build something.  I started with a small slab of Western maple and designed the piece on the fly.  I documented the build live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from the third session (see what I did in the … Continue reading Maple Slab Build, Session 3

Maple Slab Build, Session 2

Friday night, I went to down the shop because I wanted to build something.  I started with a small slab of Western maple and designed the piece on the fly.  I documented the build live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from the second session (see what I did in the … Continue reading Maple Slab Build, Session 2

How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 1

Sunday afternoon, I started a project with a board of butternut (I thought it was walnut at first).  The idea was to let the wood dictate the end result.  I documented the process of building and mounting wall brackets live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from Sunday (the project wasn't … Continue reading How to Listen to the Wood – Carving, Day 1

Jon Siegel – Elliptori

Artist Name:  Jon Siegel Title:  Elliptori Details:  circa 2001 - mahogany, glass 56" wide x 26" deep x 16"tall Why It's Notable: I like the design, but to me, what is most notable is the process used to make the base.  Instead of laminating the rough shape, then refining it with carving tools, planes, and sanders, Jon Siegel took another … Continue reading Jon Siegel – Elliptori

Graft Lab – Phantom

Artist Name:  Graft Lab Title:  Phantom Details:  3.00m x 1.20m x 0.75m (approximately 9'-10-1/8" x 47-1/4" x 29.5") circa 2010.  Made of "Carbon- or glass fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP/GFRP)" which is "no thicker than 5-6 mm".  (Information provided by the stilwerk limited edition design gallery.) Why It's Notable: Impossible is simply a challenge for the … Continue reading Graft Lab – Phantom

Small Ash Side Table

At 11:45 am on Saturday, December 17, I decided that I would make a small table as a Christmas gift.  I documented my process live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates.  This was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed. … Continue reading Small Ash Side Table

Rota Lab & Arte Stenico – Carmela

Artist Name:  Rota-Lab and Arte Stenico Title:  Carmela Details:  circa 2011  -  Wrought iron, wood, glass Why It's Notable: I think this table represents a terrific blend of the three mediums most often used in furniture (metal, wood and glass) - neither one is dominant over the others.  Each material excels at what it is asked to do. … Continue reading Rota Lab & Arte Stenico – Carmela

Setback? What Setback?

Dream big and push for it. But be reasonable. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. Hope for everything but expect nothing. I built my Table with a Twist to submit for "Regeneration: Fine Woodworkers Under 30".  After submitting my table, I, along with another 184 woodworkers, was left to wait for two weeks before I … Continue reading Setback? What Setback?

Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 3: Top and Finishing

This is the third post on the construction of my Table with a Twist.  The first post covered the making of the legs and the second post covered the aprons. The tabletop was the last main component to be made.  I had selected a premium piece of figured maple which I milled to about 42" x 12-1/2" … Continue reading Construction of “Table with a Twist” – Part 3: Top and Finishing