Nakashima style Coffee Table Mid Century Modern Walnut

That is a nice table, I like the hairpin legs very 60's.

You cant keep em all happy,

jamie

Well done

That is so very beautiful! -You should come butterfly my walnut slabs!!!

I really like the leg choice too. Very functional without detracting or adding to the focus. Walnut has to be one of my favorite woods to work with and look at.

Thats AWESOME Tex ! really a nice table,i am going to make a table for the livingroom and the plan was oak,but now i have to think twice

What kit or jig do you use for the butterfly's I need to by the kit…. I have read that you use a down spiral bit correct? Any info would be great. Thx

Kit?

Jig

Click to expand...

? LOLOLOL NOT.
These are hand cut ~ Freehand with a router, & chiseled in the corners. Just like the Son of George Nakashima explained it to me.
Sears has a dog bone looking Jig kit for a router. I dont use any kit. If you want sharp corners you have to custom make each one, & do it by hand.

Ahhhh,,, well its time I practice before I try it on a 2 inch thick top that I'm putting on my Entertainment Center.. LOL

YES ~ practice, practice, Practice!!!!!
When I first started all I knew was I wanted, no, needed some butterfly action in my pieces. Before I got my mill & all I used to hand cut 30" wide X 3" thick & 10' long freehand with a chainsaw. & a 16" bar & 50 cc saw at that. I knew what I wanted, didnt know how to get it, & ended up getting it any way I could…. Mucho Labor cutting 1/2 way through a giant maple log 6 or 8 times, then roll it over & try to line up the cuts for some really funky slabs. They were great pieces & all got my business up & running…
Same thing with the butterflies. When I first started making log & slab furniture I had never heard of George Nakashima, but had seen butterflies around. The oldest I have seen is on a boat from egypt 3700 years ago they used them to hold the hull planks together. So like the slabs, I knew I wanted butterflies & had exactly no idea of how to go about it.
My first ones took all day for 1 & were atleast 7.25 long, so I could cit them with a skillsaw. I was totally wrong & totally doing it bass akwards. I drew it out on the slab, Cut it with the skillsaw, finished the cuts with a sawzall, (did I mention I was a life long framer of custom homes?) Then traced the butterfly & try to get it to fit as best as I could. They went all the way through & were anything but easy.
Then I cought on to G. Nakashima (the butterfly king & my hero) & his tricks. My wife & I had to deliver a piece to NYC & on the way back stopped at the Nakashima shop & spread for the self guided tour…. WAY AORTH IT!!
Near the end, in the conoid studio sitting in a conoid chair was george's son Kevin.
He lined me out & I have been using that method ever since.
Here are a few clues….
They are 3/8 thick… Most of mine are anyway. (his too) & the main clue is…. Make the butterfly first & then inlay it into the slab.
Now I can whoop one in in less than an hour. I had an order for a 12' hickory table that had somewhere around 15 butterflies & I did them all in one day. You will also need a super sharp chisel & utility knife. I use a 3/8 straight bit in the router. & it helps to clear the mind of garbage. If you have any questions drop me a email & I will try to help.
Thanks & goodluck!!!!
Ted.

Wow, thanks for sharing your great work. George Nakashima was such an amazing designer. http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com