Been itching to make something bigger lately so started web shopping for ideas. Came across a table design by architect Josef Hoffmann (1903) which had some interesting details like fretwork sides and tapered square legs.
No fancy curves or other stuff so should be easy enough.
An original:
Further digging found a FWW article where the builder used a "pinwheel" top with center feature (tile). (FWW Sep/Oct 2011)
I liked the changes!
White oak, quarter/rift sawn. top is about 20"x20, 27" high
Begins with cutting dados/rabbets for the sides. Wanted a tight lap joint so some careful drum sanding to get the lap joint thickness down. Also made sure to preserve the cut sequence.
Four fret panels.
Joined to tapered legs with slip tenons.
The legs have ebony bands around the bottoms.
Top is pinwheeled for effect, 1" thick.
Long/end grain joint so only glued dominos over the first 3", then an alignment domino with a widened slot at the outer edges. "V" grooved joint and 30 degree tapered edges. Center void (3"x3") took a green granite tile from the kitchen counter project 25 years ago.
Needed a large "fumadore" to fume the white oak. My PVC pipe tent was a bit awkward so used a 55 G plastic barrel.
Finished with Osmo (base) and Arm-R-Seal for the top.
Very nice Bruce. Funny that you mentioned you wanted to start making bigger items, I was thinking the same thing the other day. Probably not for the same reasons that you have, but I find it's a lot easier to make a large item than it is to make a small item. Problem is I don't sell anything and I don't really need anything in my house.🥴
Thanks all! Duck, there is an oak "plug" about 1/4" thick under the tile (about 3/8" thick). I push in the tile (tight fit) until it is flush w/top. Some caulking on the tile bottom to keep water out and have it stick to the oak plug. The plug is then pushed in and two brass pins are toe nailed into the side to keep in in.
John, yep. I have no room for stuff so it all goes for sale eventually. I like making bigger stuff, get a chance to use up some wood!
