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swirt
288 posts
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in over 10 years
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Cypress Stump Table; French Polish style
In May 2019 I had a few Cypress trees cut down. One of them had an impressive flair at the base that I asked the tree service to preserve for me. It had to become a table. It took me a while to decide on what kind of table. It took some work with a chainsaw, router sled, scrub plane and a slick to get it into shape.
For coloring I fumed it with ammonia and then used dark tung oil to give it more color and protection. I was having trouble getting the finish to build completely on the end grain (yes pure tung oil can build a sheen) Some specific sections of the end grain just remained thirsty so I eventually switched over to a French polish with shellac to complete the finish on the shelves. Topped off that with a couple of treatments with Odie’s Oil as the source of wax and a bit of water protection.
Lots more build photos and step by steps on source: Cypress Console Table
16 Comments
Very unique! Lots of work in that!
L/W
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin
Thanks, and yes it is a fair amount of work. I enjoy the challenge.
Neat project, great job.
-- Soli Deo gloria! ( To God alone be the Glory)
Very cool ,I like that you made the crack a design eleiment.
woodworking classes, custom furniture maker
Thanks oldrivers and a1Jim. Much appreciated.
a1Jim, The crack came about after I did the rough cuts, so I’d have to credit that one to nature. :)
So creative! I really like how you went for something unusual and it came out fantastic. The finish is very nice and it works perfectly right where it is. I just love it.
.................. John D....................
man i just love it. very cool design, love rustic furniture.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
Some serious effort! I assume that is an epoxy fill for the crack? Really adds to the overall look.
I'd be constantly worrying about further cracking but I'd suppose the large open areas relieve a lot of stress. Chainsaw must have been your tool of choice for the initial roughing out.
p.s., great job on the cat, looks very life-like! 😀
I'd be constantly worrying about further cracking but I'd suppose the large open areas relieve a lot of stress. Chainsaw must have been your tool of choice for the initial roughing out.
p.s., great job on the cat, looks very life-like! 😀
Great creative imagination. The cat seems to like it.
Pretty cool!
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I remember that table from LJ. I thought it was fantastic then, and I still do. I like the flared shape, and the finish is gorgeous. Have you ever tried taking a video showing how the finish shimmers as your viewing angle changes?
Thanks all.
@SplinterGroup Yes it is black epoxy. Your concern about further splitting is valid. I noticed the other day that a pretty good sized split has appeared on one edge of the epoxy/wood boundary on the bottom shelf. I will have to pour some more epoxy, but will wait another year to do it to let the piece dry some more. I probably should have put a dutchman (bow tie) to span the gap, but I am pretty sure that would have just forced a crack to appear in another spot. I should have waited for a few more years for it to properly dry, but just did not have the room to store it, and could not leave it outside or the bugs would feast.
@SplinterGroup Yes it is black epoxy. Your concern about further splitting is valid. I noticed the other day that a pretty good sized split has appeared on one edge of the epoxy/wood boundary on the bottom shelf. I will have to pour some more epoxy, but will wait another year to do it to let the piece dry some more. I probably should have put a dutchman (bow tie) to span the gap, but I am pretty sure that would have just forced a crack to appear in another spot. I should have waited for a few more years for it to properly dry, but just did not have the room to store it, and could not leave it outside or the bugs would feast.
Swirt,
Table looks really nice!! Kudos for a job well done. That must weigh a lot.
Table looks really nice!! Kudos for a job well done. That must weigh a lot.
daveg, SW Washington & AZ
Thanks gdaveg. It is fairly heavy, but not as bad as it appears. Cypress is pretty lightweight. It is more awkward than heavy.
That is a cool table, the rustic look is an amazing effect. Well done.
Main Street to the Mountains
Thanks Eric
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