I was asked to build two H.D. themed tables by sister as Christmas presents for her sons who ride Harleys. That led to another friend asking me to make one for her to give as a present. When I started cutting the parts I mistakenly cut legs for four tables, now I guess I'm making four. I wanted to ebonize the oak legs like I did on my Tiger Chest and because I also had some of that same makore veneer I decided to use it as well because I thought it made a good match. The other veneers were inzombe, holly, and died black poplar. All the marquetry was cut on my chevolet which does a great job, but I must admit cutting straight lines is harder than curves or should I say less forgiving. For that reason, the emblem is not perfect but acceptable. My wife found a home for that last table, so it wasn't a waste of time making four.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
Paul (shipwright), it seems like every time I sit behind that chevolet I learn something new or as sometimes in my case relearn something. In this case among other things, I didn't check the set up for the cut and it was a little off. I was tempted to recut the whole packet at the time, but I was under a little bit of a time restraint and I just made it work.
SplinterGroup, those were my thoughts exactly, but I was given the hardware from my sister and just bought the same for the other two tables. I think someone could design some tables with Harley parts could make a small fortune at swap meets.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
"Steam punk" is still a thing around here, stuff made from old car parts and plumbing bits. I always wanted to try making some but hard to tear down an old Chevy 3-speed when I might own a Chevy some day! 🙂
Great set of tables - I like the curveture of the legs. I recently found that keeping quiet about what you are making until it's done, is the best policy. The two advent calendars I was making for last Christmas turned into six!!
Petey, I did use a template to rough cut them close and then I used a sled fixture to trim them to size, as you can see, I have one side marked for the first two cut and the other side marked for the second two. I just screwed the clamps in the other direction after one side was done. It was a matter of rough cut, trim, rough cut, trim. The ebonizing method I use is one I read years ago from Brian Boggs How To Ebonize Wood | Popular Woodworking . The dye is basically a jar of vinegar with a pad of steel wool placed in it for a couple of days. it works great on high tannin wood like oak or ash. I also add tannin to the wood with tree bark tea (used in tanning leather). I have had great results, but I have been meaning to try the transtint dyes.
-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams
