Coffee table top question?

[Two Much]

Hi everyone, I have an antique dining room table base that I want to
use to make a coffee table for the Living Room.

I want an oval top (I think) made out of Black walnut. Since this table is in
my living room which is sunny, I keep plants on the table.

Currently I have a glass insert in the table, I have and don't want to do
glass again. I was thinking of having hammered copper, stone or leather
for an insert instead of glass. Has anyone done anything like that?
Do you know a source for a sheet of hammered copper (in a dark color)
Just to be clear -- I plan on having the insert surrounded by oval walnut.

Thanks, Joann

[cabinetman]

Here's a suggestion. Chemetal is a company that produces metal faced sheets in different finishes and textures. It fabricates just like a sheet of Formica. Go to this page:

http://www.chemetalco.com/300.htm

There is a variety there that may be appealing.
.

[pelligrini]

They have some neat products. I'm going to have to hang on to that manufacturer's link.

[drumpriest]

Wow Cabinetman, that's funny, I was going to suggest looking into patination of copper, ala David Marks, same wavelength. Cool that this company sells pre-patina'd stuff.

[Two Much]

thanks cabinetman

[Two Much]

I changed my mind about the stone or copper insert. I got a brainstorm to make a walnut top of my choosing and just make a tray (in walnut) to house my Bonsai ming on the table.
The inside of bottom of the tray, I'll put either stone or leather or copper.

This is what I'm using for the base of the table, It was an antique Dining room table. We put it in the upstairs hallway instead of spindles.
The part in the wall was the feet, the middle section connected to two large wood turning
legs (that went into the feet) We threw the legs away so we have to turn new legs...
We're not experienced wood turners so this should be fun. I plan on the table being 20 to 21" high. Our tables in the family room are 17" and I think my table in the Living room is 16"
high. I want a higher table, more of a tea table.
At first I wanted an oval top, now I'm leaning to a rectangle top with a routed bread board edge? If anyone has any suggestions or input, please advise.


I'm really crazy for Black walnut, we just made a new table top for our kitchen table using
Cliff's Grandfathers antique wrought iron base. The table is 42 1/8" round.
I get a few pictures to show you the table we just made. This is the reason, I want to make a new table for the Living Room, cause I'm just crazy for the look of the walnut.

[Two Much]

Here's the table. It's 5/4 walnut. We bought two boards 14 1/2 wide x 8' long
The top is 4 pieces. I wanted a plain edge as our kitchen is Mission/ shaker style,
however I can go fancier in the living room.