Veneer is done.

Left you all hanging on how the base came out, now here are the results.

All the side laminate is now hidden below the veneer. A simple rout around the sides produces wonderful results.

A little rubbing alcohol brings out the flavor. 

A little foot detail in Macassar Ebony gives it enough lift to be picked up reasonably easily, while making the thick base appear more delicate. 

And lets not forget the big piece 

Laminate sides and veneer

Now that the basic structure is created I then need to sheath it in mahogany veneer. I also will be adding a bead of maple burl around the perimeter as an accent.

Here is the coffee table base with the laminated sides on. Three sections of 1/8" mahogany strips with maple burl on top were glued up to the sides to form the bend. 

The small matching side table. I am now applying vertical mahogany veneer to the sides over the laminated sections using the same bending fixtures. 

The radiating spirals for the top of the bases. Once the sides are done this will be glued to the top. At this point the maple burl will be completely covered with mahogany veneer. I will then use a router bit to carve into the maple burl and bring it back out. You'll just have to wait to see the photos. 

Start at the bottom

It is always best to start with what you know and get your sea legs before tearing off into deeper waters. With this in mind I started with the bottom of the piece: a simple platform with concave sides. Simple in theory except for the fact that if made from solid wood it would be unmovable. So I made a grid pattern to strengthen the inside yet still leave the piece light, know as a torsion box.

sandwiching the torsion box onto the bottom of the base.

I then added 2" of particle board around the edges and routed to match the bottom template. 

quite the mess.

I then sandwiched on the top sheet of plywood to complete the box. The end result, while still heavy, is surprisingly light for its mass and is strong as steal. 

A design

Here is the approved design for the coffee table:

The piece is to be made from African Mahogany and Maple Burl. I believe the darker brown of the African Mahogany will compliment the maple well. 

Back at it.

I have ignored this blog for sometime. I am now attempting its revival.

I recently received a stunning commission to build a coffee display table for a large fossil, a very large fossil:

I have always wanted to put fossils into my specimen chests, but this takes the cake. I will be blogging the process to build this piece over the next few months, so check back often.

Little used wood combinations

In the studio trying out new combinations of woods, it is always fun to see what works. I have recently discovered that Teak and Oregon Myrtle are meant to be together, an interesting and wonderful pair. Here are some other experiments:

Pear (top) and Cascara

orange on orange but it works. 

Teak (top small strip) Myrtle and Pear

Real proud of this one

Teak (top) Myrtle and Ash

This mix really works. 

Box and Container Show

I will be exhibiting the piece in the center of the above image at the Box and Container Show at Northwest Fine Woodworking from Nov. 3rd to Dec. 31st. If you are in Seattle be sure to check out the show and the Gallery both of which present some of the finest studio furniture in the Northwest.

Gallery Link: http://www.nwfinewoodworking.com/furniture_events.htm