Slab table - 99.99% finished

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  • poolhound
    Veteran Member
    • Mar 2006
    • 3195
    • Phoenix, AZ
    • BT3100

    Slab table - 99.99% finished

    Ever had a project that seems like it will never end? Maybe wish you never started...

    I bought these 2 slabs nearly 2 years ago and they sat around for a year as I decided what to do with them. They just became our new outside table. Still some minor touch ups and a few extra coats of finish needed but basically done. Top is two book matched, partially spalted, black walnut slabs inlaid with turquoise and something black I don't recall the name of. Joined and butterfly stitched along the length. Base is white oak with walnut. Its basically 8' 6" by ~38".

    I learned a lot during this project and with what I now know would not have bought these particular slabs. In theory the process is quite simple. However, the combination of spalting, rot and insect damage which caused multiple different wood densities and damaged areas, may have added to the 'character' of this piece but made the work and cost at least 10x what it should have been. LOML is very happy with result and friends and family who came over for memorial day BBQ yesterday did oooh and aaah appropriately. Just picked up some new slabs (see separate post) so hopefully pickup a few commissions during the next year.

    Jon

    Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
    ________________________________

    We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
    techzibits.com
  • vaking
    Veteran Member
    • Apr 2005
    • 1428
    • Montclair, NJ, USA.
    • Ryobi BT3100-1

    #2
    That table is way too good-looking to be outside table.
    Alex V

    Comment

    • joedad
      Forum Newbie
      • Mar 2015
      • 24
      • Yardley, PA
      • Ryobi Bt3000

      #3
      Very nicely done.

      Comment

      • Black wallnut
        cycling to health
        • Jan 2003
        • 4715
        • Ellensburg, Wa, USA.
        • BT3k 1999

        #4
        That looks great!
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        marK in WA and Ryobi Fanatic Association State President ©

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        ©

        Comment

        • atgcpaul
          Veteran Member
          • Aug 2003
          • 4055
          • Maryland
          • Grizzly 1023SLX

          #5
          Did the guests only get to ooh and aah, or did you let them use it?

          Very nice work. How did you flatten the slabs? Are you going to protect it from the sun?

          Comment

          • gerti
            Veteran Member
            • Dec 2003
            • 2233
            • Minnetonka, MN, USA.
            • BT3100 "Frankensaw"

            #6
            Originally posted by vaking
            That table is way too good-looking to be outside table.
            Seconded! Great looking table.

            Comment

            • poolhound
              Veteran Member
              • Mar 2006
              • 3195
              • Phoenix, AZ
              • BT3100

              #7
              Originally posted by atgcpaul
              Did the guests only get to ooh and aah, or did you let them use it?

              Very nice work. How did you flatten the slabs? Are you going to protect it from the sun?
              They were not too far out of flat, ish... basically a combination of hand planes, belt sander and my 16/32 drum sander. HANK, there is another use to add to your deliberations!

              As far as protection goes that was a tricky one. Being here in Arizona we do get a little sun and its due to be 114 by the end of this week! The table does sit on a covered patio and only gets direct sun for a small part of the day. Any form of film finish protects fairly well but does tend to dry and crack in the heat and needs to be completely stripped and sanded when you want to redo. Never tried some of the fancy marine varnishes like Epiphanes but the issue would still be the same when you want to restore the finish, just lasts a bit longer. I took a leaf out of Mark Spagnolo's book (Wood Whisperer) as he lives here and knows the climate. For exterior wood doors he has been using a mixture of BLO, Naptha & Marine varnish in a 40,40, 20 ratio. The varinish offers some physical protection but with essentially an oil finish its very easy to add a few coats once in a while and if some areas need a touch up its easily done with a little sanding and a few thin wiped coats. It looks good and feels nice and seems to stand up to an occasional cold beverage. had 3 coats so far and will ad 3 or 4 more before the week is out. time will tell.
              Jon

              Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
              ________________________________

              We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
              techzibits.com

              Comment

              • leehljp
                Just me
                • Dec 2002
                • 8429
                • Tunica, MS
                • BT3000/3100

                #8
                Looks absolutely great! WELL DONE!
                Hank Lee

                Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!

                Comment

                • onedash
                  Veteran Member
                  • Mar 2005
                  • 1013
                  • Maryland
                  • Craftsman 22124

                  #9
                  That looks real good. Not sure I would leave it outside though.
                  YOU DONT HAVE TO TRAIN TO BE MISERABLE. YOU HAVE TO TRAIN TO ENDURE MISERY.

                  Comment

                  • BadeMillsap
                    Senior Member
                    • Dec 2005
                    • 868
                    • Bulverde, Texas, USA.
                    • Grizzly G1023SL

                    #10
                    Really Really nice!

                    Via Tapatalk-- Bade

                    "Like an old desperado, I paint the town beige ..." REK
                    Bade Millsap
                    Bulverde, Texas
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                    Comment

                    • trungdok
                      Established Member
                      • Oct 2012
                      • 235
                      • MA

                      #11
                      Wow. Great looking table. The turquoise color really pops.

                      Did you buy them already bookmatched or you had to do it yourself?

                      Comment

                      • Bill in Buena Park
                        Veteran Member
                        • Nov 2007
                        • 1865
                        • Buena Park, CA
                        • CM 21829

                        #12
                        Wow Jon - very cool table!, and agree it's way too good looking to be outside. Hopefully its in a place or has been finished against the chance of weather/sun damage. Great job!
                        Bill in Buena Park

                        Comment

                        • poolhound
                          Veteran Member
                          • Mar 2006
                          • 3195
                          • Phoenix, AZ
                          • BT3100

                          #13
                          Originally posted by trungdok
                          Wow. Great looking table. The turquoise color really pops.

                          Did you buy them already bookmatched or you had to do it yourself?
                          Yup bought them that way. Dont think my bandsaw would manage a resaw like that :-) Typically you buy slabs like these from guys who slice up a whole tree so you can choose from a bunch of different book matched pairs.
                          Jon

                          Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
                          ________________________________

                          We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
                          techzibits.com

                          Comment

                          • poolhound
                            Veteran Member
                            • Mar 2006
                            • 3195
                            • Phoenix, AZ
                            • BT3100

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Bill in Buena Park
                            Wow Jon - very cool table!, and agree it's way too good looking to be outside. Hopefully its in a place or has been finished against the chance of weather/sun damage. Great job!
                            Well the only weather we get here is sun :-) It is actually on a covered patio so its not really in direct sunlight. It does come in at an angle some of the day but we are also going to be putting UV screens up soon. LOML would quite like it as our main dining room table but we have a really nice modern danish extending table, chairs, dresser in there. Would be happy to sell it but would need a lot of $$s to justify that sale. Like more than a full size sawstop!
                            Jon

                            Phoenix AZ - It's a dry heat
                            ________________________________

                            We all make mistakes and I should know I've made enough of them
                            techzibits.com

                            Comment

                            • atgcpaul
                              Veteran Member
                              • Aug 2003
                              • 4055
                              • Maryland
                              • Grizzly 1023SLX

                              #15
                              Originally posted by poolhound

                              we have a really nice modern danish extending table, chairs, dresser in there.
                              If you could, could you send me a picture of that table and chairs? I've been looking for some ideas.

                              Thank you,
                              Paul

                              Comment

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