Project Information
hi there fellow woodworkers!
this is my first post here on lumber jocks! i have been a lurker here for a few months and have finally got around to posting one of my projects.
the inspiration came whilst working on a building site pouring a floor slab. when dismantling the boxing i found the exposed timber had a very warm look against the harsh medium of concrete and created an interesting contrast. I found myself pondering… "i wonder how furniture could use this contrast". thus the design was born.
the piece is designed as a sideboard meets hall table kinda thing however once built i thought it would make for a great entertainment unit (now i just need to convince the Mrs too let me get a flat screen ). the concrete was precast in a form built by me out of melamine. the top surface is secured to the concrete with dyna bolts (trade name for sleeve anchors) and the bottom shelve sits on a corner brace which is secured to concrete with tex screws. The timber is Rimu, a common yet relatively expensive native hardwood from New Zealand. it is four by 2 boards laminated together, the boards came out of old state housing frame work.
things learnt from this project:
- concrete is heavy!!!!!!! (I managed to overlook the wight factor when casting the legs…. result was each leg weighing 60kg….. next time i will use polystyrene in the middle of the cast… easily halving the weight)
-short sleeve anchors are a waste of time
- if you *&^%$ up tell people it adds to the industrial look of the piece
all up a great learning experience and will be continuing to build with timber and concrete.
please let me know what you think….. criticisms and suggestions more than welcome.
signing out….. Toby from down under.
this is my first post here on lumber jocks! i have been a lurker here for a few months and have finally got around to posting one of my projects.
the inspiration came whilst working on a building site pouring a floor slab. when dismantling the boxing i found the exposed timber had a very warm look against the harsh medium of concrete and created an interesting contrast. I found myself pondering… "i wonder how furniture could use this contrast". thus the design was born.
the piece is designed as a sideboard meets hall table kinda thing however once built i thought it would make for a great entertainment unit (now i just need to convince the Mrs too let me get a flat screen ). the concrete was precast in a form built by me out of melamine. the top surface is secured to the concrete with dyna bolts (trade name for sleeve anchors) and the bottom shelve sits on a corner brace which is secured to concrete with tex screws. The timber is Rimu, a common yet relatively expensive native hardwood from New Zealand. it is four by 2 boards laminated together, the boards came out of old state housing frame work.
things learnt from this project:
- concrete is heavy!!!!!!! (I managed to overlook the wight factor when casting the legs…. result was each leg weighing 60kg….. next time i will use polystyrene in the middle of the cast… easily halving the weight)
-short sleeve anchors are a waste of time
- if you *&^%$ up tell people it adds to the industrial look of the piece
all up a great learning experience and will be continuing to build with timber and concrete.
please let me know what you think….. criticisms and suggestions more than welcome.
signing out….. Toby from down under.