Current Project #11: The Table has left the workshop (or) Tables and Tribulations

Sweet, one very nice table. I’m sure the church is glad to get such a nice table. I don’t see any blemishes, and the window light is highlighting the top pretty well.

-- "I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The point is to bring them the real facts." - Abraham Lincoln

Lines of tiny little bubbles are what you can’t see from my bad photo. I’m very happy with it except for the finish on the top. Somewhere in the near future, probably this winter, I’m making 10 chairs for it. THAT ought to be interesting!

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!

Beautiful. I would really like to see the rescue you do on the top. I’m thinking your fans here would like to follow you through the process. I know I would.

-- Chance Four "Not Just a Second Chance"

I’ll tell you plan, but I’ll probably document the problem and the solution anyway. My plan is to use 0000 steel wool to erode away the bubbles. Then my plan is to wipe the top down with mineral spirits to remove the polish I was using to try and hide the problem. I was also rubbing down through the polish with the steel wool, but I think I just ruined it more. After the mineral spirits I’ll use wipe on poly again.

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!

I saw a man use a razor blade once as a scraper to take off the surface imperfections of a high gloss finish. I wish I had asked more questions at the time. He was a genius, but over time maybe got too close to the chemicals and now with his diminished mental abilities is only good enough to be the township building inspector. Sad how susceptible we humans are to the fluids we love. Open a window … ,,, ,,, but you already knew that.

-- Chance Four "Not Just a Second Chance"

nomercadies, Hmm. Wish I had thought of a razor blade.

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!

Table looks good, Dave. Just how ‘tiny’ are these bubbles? Can they be seen and felt? Do you have a chair plan in mind?

-- God bless, Candy

CFrye, The tiny bubbles are big enough to see when you sit at the table, or if you stand at the table. They’re only ‘invisible’ from 10 feet away.

I have something in mind, but I’m going to build a few models from popsicle sticks to see how they look and such. I know that sounds odd, but I find it more useful, plus the models will be cute. I want the chairs to be able to stack, so I’m leaning towards something like this:

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!

Doesn’t sound odd to me, Dave. the stacking feature will be a nice touch.

-- God bless, Candy

I like the simplicity of that style of chair. Stacking is just another nifty touch to make their use more flexible. Good plan I think. And, all you need do is to move the chairs out 10 feet and the finish problem goes away…...

-- DonB

DonB, I should rope off the room and keep the lights off—”I don’t see any problem with the finish.” ;-)

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!

nomercadies, The idea you gave above of using a razor blade as a small cabinet scraper worked well. I somewhat fixed the finish of the table today. No way it’s ever going to be perfect until I get mentored by Joe Lerario (furniture on the mend fame), but it’s considerable improved.

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!