This is my first posting. Two years ago while attending the woodworkers show here in Atlanta there was a saw mill company demonstrating next to our guild display booth and selling the slab cuts as they slice them. <!—-> <!—-><!—->
To make a long frustrating story short. I purchased my first slab for $35.00 which was spalted maple 2″ thick-22″ wide -68″ long. I wanted to build an organic style bench, but the slab had a mind of it’s own with several large soft, sap wood spots.. I used a liquid wood hardener and poured it into the soft spots, boy, 2″ of thickness can sure can soak up a lot of cans, anyway I hope for the best. When all was dried it felt pretty good. While milling it one area of the slab broke in half, darn!! (an that not exactly-WHAT I SAID) I was determined to make something out of my first slab, so I cut out the weak spots , squared up the two edges and joined the two pieces together again. I was afraid of the other soft spots so a quick change in plans to a coffee table, this wouldn’t required weight of humans. To add strength I inlayed three 3/4″ x 3/4″ strips of blood wood down the center. m/t the mahogany legs into the bottom and finished it with a oil/poly finish. The best I could do to save my first slab. <!—-><!—->
Size 58″ long-15″ wide-15″ high<!—-><!—->
I would appreciate any comments and constructive criticism.<!—-> <!—->
thank you <!—-><!—->
Don <!—-><!—->
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Replies
I like it the bloodwood strips are a nice accent. When i first looked at the picture i thought you had cut three slots in the top
Don,
Very nice. The detail of the spalted maple is nice. In the second pic I can see where it was repaired, sometimes mistakes take us in a different direction and it is better than what we thought. You should be proud. I like it.
Joe
Is it really saw dust or wood dust?
NICE WORK..
anyway I hope for the best. Pretty nice 'mistake' if you ask me...
Great work. What did you use as a hardener? (Brand and product if you can) And how did it take the finish. Can you see a difference where the hardner was applied. It looks like you didn't use a stain, but if you did was there blotching.
Mike
If I remember right the hardener was a liquid. minwax product. You pour it in and let it dry it take a clear finish just fine. I've used it on rot repair when I was doing remodeling of homes where a client did'nt want to go to the full extent of replacing a board.
I've used that same product a lot. But only in exterior trim and windows (paint grade). That is why I am curious how it took stain (if you stained) and if there are colour differences where the finish didn't penetrate the repaired area as well.
Mike
The bench and table both were build for my small sunroom, if it had worked out I would have put the slab bench in my foyer but the sunroom needed a coffee table.
Iv'e never tried to stain the hardener since it's a thin resin I don't think it would take a stain. A long time ago when I work at a boat shop we used it on the boats a lot, again it was either painted or a clear finish a good question to try?
Don, I really like the organic nature of the table top and the bloodwood adds a nice detail/contrast. I'm not sure I (really)like the legs, but honestly I don't know what I would do to them. I don't think it looks bad, just not sure if I would do something else. It certainly wouldn't look right w/ 4 straight or tapered legs, so maybe you got it right, I don't know. Just personal musings on my part.
Nice bench too. That is something on my to-do list, thanks for a little inspiration.
Jake
I'm not a fan of the organic style for tables (this from the guy who turns organic lamps from fruit wood -- go figure).
However, it's got good flow and eye appeal. I like the use of bloodwood strips, like another poster, I'd thought you'd cut it into strips with space between at first glance.
From your description, I think you made an excellent recover. Nicely done, sir.
Looks great, but hope you are not going to leave it outside!
Gorgeous - You know that is what woodwork is all about if you ask me. In the outdoors especially, I find that a perfect match (the bench and table). I think the legs are great because they remain in the background allowing the table top to make the statement.
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