Tables coming together...

I went to bed at 3:00am last night, then got up at 6:00am this morning. I headed over to the shop to check on the drywallers. They are final sanding the tape and will be spraying on the texture today. They have done a great job. I can't believe how much work they have accomplished in just a few days!

I went to my wood shop next and sanded the Canarywood/Purpleheart panel. Here are a couple of photos:

1. Table math - this is highly complex, ultra top-secret mathematics used to figure out how to make a table out of several boards. This plan is for my third table, which will be Narra and Bubinga.


2. Apron and legs - this is a shot of the Alder table apron and legs that will go with the Padauk/Maple table top. I have to go to the lumber store and pick up some table leg brackets so I can finish. I think it is going to look great!



3. Here is the panel made with Canarywood and Purpleheart. Referring to the highly complex table math above, I plan my tops so that the glued boards are symmetrical in width. There are pros and cons...

CONS - I have to figure out the best usage of a given board, as the trees do not grow and get cut in sizes that are convenient for me. As a result, I end of with excess wood strips that are 1 to 2.5 inches wide. I collect these strips, as they are valuable (at least I had to pay for this wood), and I may make something really skinny someday. Actually, the contrasting strips I am putting in my tabletops are saved strips of wood from other projects.
PROS - Well, I actually can't think of any, except that it is just how I do things.
This table top has widths of 6" x 2" x 4" x 6" x 4" x 2" x 6"



I have been wearing a respirator the last couple days. It cuts down on the red, yellow, and purple boogers, and I have fewer headaches. Some of these exotic woods are toxic and will give you a heck of a headache. Some people have actually gone into respiratory distress from breathing the sawdust.

Oh, by the way, I have never made a table before. This is kind of new to me and I am just winging it. I was really hoping I wouldn't ruin $500 worth of wood. So far, I am very pleased with how things are going. I just bought clear sanding sealer and boiled linseed oil to finish the first table. I'm excited to see how it comes out!

Well, I can't sit at the computer anymore. After three hours of sleep, this is making me drowsy. I'm fine as long as I am moving and thinking and doing something. Sitting here is not good for staying awake.

JD