| Project by cathyb | posted 02-25-2012 10:11 AM | 3614 views | 16 times favorited | 34 comments |  |
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I made this table for a show last month and finally got the pictures back from the photographer.
This handcrafted table of solid koa includes: bent laminate legs, a shallow drawer for keys or mail, and a book-matched table top. Joining the legs to the table was a bit tricky. This is how I did that: the table to was originally about 44” long. I cut three inches from each end; added an angled dado in these 3” by 8” pieces of wood; attached them to the underside of the table with glue and screws; then a cut a tongue on the end of each of my bent laminate legs and fit them snuggly into the dados and reinforced the joint with recessed screws with plugs.
The legs are a bent laminate with about 10 layers of wood. To do this, I created a solid plywood form, cut my koa on my resaw bandsaw to 1/8” in thickness and bent them on the form with epoxy as my adhesive. The form was only 6” wide, so I made 4 bent laminates. After cleaning up the excess glue, I then selected the best matches for the pair of legs. The final sanding was a bit tedious, but the wood was so nice that I just couldn’t wait to see it with a finish. (You know how that goes!).
The top was the easiest part. I had a nice 8/4 board. I sliced it down the middle on my resaw bandsaw and book-matched it.
The finish is polyurethane, at least 6 coats. The final sanding is with micromesh paper of 1800 to 3200 grit. I love that stufff! It really makes the wood feel like satin.
Dimensions: 38” wide by 26” tall by 10” deep.
It’s an interesting little table and I hope it inspires you to make something that’s kind of different. Enjoy…..
-- cathyb, Hawaii, www.cathyswoodworking.com
34 comments so far
HalDougherty
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1820 posts in 3778 days
#1 posted 02-25-2012 10:48 AM
You have a fantastic piece of art! The wood is beautiful and the design elegant. I love it. Only two kinds of people can own a piece like this. You either have to be very rich, or very talented.
-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com
stefang
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16821 posts in 3875 days
#2 posted 02-25-2012 12:05 PM
Good design and beautiful wood Cathy.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
Monte Pittman
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30461 posts in 2879 days
#3 posted 02-25-2012 12:48 PM
Beautiful work. Beautiful piece.
Note to myself, hate Cathy for having access to that much Koa wood ;-)
Keep up the good work!
-- Nature created it, I just assemble it.
jjw5858
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1135 posts in 3144 days
#4 posted 02-25-2012 01:07 PM
Wow, this is a very nice looking table. Definitely good looking wood/grain and great lines….thanks for the inspiration.
-- "Always continue to learn, laugh and share!" JJW
Dennis Zongker
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2797 posts in 4133 days
#5 posted 02-25-2012 01:14 PM
Very Nice, Clean & Crisp.
-- Dennis Zongker
patron
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13658 posts in 3882 days
#6 posted 02-25-2012 01:49 PM
classic elegance
timeless design
beautiful work
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
Muzhik
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173 posts in 4679 days
#7 posted 02-25-2012 01:58 PM
Always love your stuff, Cathy. Wish I could move back to Hawaii and have access to Koa like that!
Benji Reyes
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339 posts in 3620 days
#8 posted 02-25-2012 02:22 PM
Great build and an interesting design Cathy. I love the treatment and grain pattern choice on the drawer which for me is the focal point of the piece. The bent legs gives it a softer feel and brings everything together. Congratulations!
-- Benji Reyes, Antipolo, Philippines, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benji-Reyes/88321902103?ref=ts Instagram benji reyes
HillbillyShooter
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5811 posts in 2834 days
#9 posted 02-25-2012 02:41 PM
Beautiful. Clean design. Artistic. Excellent execution. My wife loves it.
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
shipwright
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8399 posts in 3339 days
#10 posted 02-25-2012 02:43 PM
Elegant,creative, and beautiful.
You have a way with these pieces that is your own Cathy.
This is another wonderful piece of Koa and you have allowed it to shine in all it’s glory.
Great piece Cathy.
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
Woodbridge
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3692 posts in 2959 days
#11 posted 02-25-2012 03:11 PM
Beautiful table. A very attractive and unqiue design complimented by the way you selected and matched the wood , and well constructed and finished. Thanks for sharing it with us.
-- Peter, Woodbridge, Ontario
John Gray
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2370 posts in 4427 days
#12 posted 02-25-2012 03:26 PM
KOOL!!!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
a1Jim
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117746 posts in 4118 days
#13 posted 02-25-2012 03:45 PM
Very nice table a super design fantastic wood and nice build.
BarbS
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2434 posts in 4627 days
#14 posted 02-25-2012 03:57 PM
What stunning wood. And craftsmanship. Congratulations!
-- http://barbsid.blogspot.com/
Brianf
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21 posts in 2825 days
#15 posted 02-25-2012 04:27 PM
beautiful …a true piece of art.
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