Replies

1. 
   stevent1 | Apr 21, 2007 03:14am | #1

   Paul,

   Keep us updated on the progress. That looks like some mighty fine Black Walnut.

   Is it local?

   Chuck S

   live, work, build, ...better with wood
1. 
   paulwaterloo1 | Apr 22, 2007 04:05am | #2

   Chuck-

   I got the wood at a local place in Chicago, Owl Hardwood, they have ALL sorts of stuff in stock.

   I worked on it for about an hour last night and about 4 hours today.....almost done! It's funny, as I get older, and something doesn't fit up, I usually walk away and then figure out why it isn't fitting just right.

   I got to the point where one end is done, but the top is about 1/32" too long, so the opposite end won't sit flush on the legs and up to the top, it tapers out at the top.

   So I glued and screwed the one end, and will let it sit over night. Tomorrow I will take the top back off (it is just sitting on top allowing for it to set up square) and trim it.....that will be tricky because I'll have to do it with a circular hand saw.

   Here's the pics and a few comments:

   I cut the legs on the table saw using a standard blade:

    View ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageHere is a 3/4" gage for the top, I set the rails a litle low and will shim the top to proper height. I don't want to be caught in the end with a top that is higher than the rails.View ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageShimming the rail out slightly with scrap.View ImageView ImageView ImageView Image

   Edited 4/21/2007 9:14 pm by PaulWaterloo

1. 
   stevent1 | Apr 22, 2007 04:33am | #3

   Paul,Looks good. 1/32" will not require a saw!
   With all of the tools you have displayed I am sure you have a RO sander.
   Have you ever used Shellac for a finish? Kid fiendly. Shellac is the original 'Green' wood finish.Chuck slive, work, build, ...better with wood

1. 
   paulwaterloo1 | Apr 22, 2007 04:39am | #4

   RO sander? What's that?

   I have an orbital sander, maybe I should scribe the line and then put some 80 grit in and sand away? I could always taper it so the bottom is shorter than the top, would only need to ge the top perfect.

1. 
   stevent1 | Apr 22, 2007 05:04am | #5

   Paul,RO is Random Orbital. You have one. You will be fine with 80. The beauty of RO sanders is fewer sander streaks. I would take it to 220 and then scape it before finishing.Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood

2. 
   paulwaterloo1 | Apr 23, 2007 02:24am | #6

   I am almost finished. I used my orbital sander and hand sanding to shorten the top, and I put a taper from top edge to bottom so it would fit better against the edges.

   Right now I have three coats of Minwax water based poly on it.

   Final fit up this morning before gluing and screwing together:

    View ImageThe shims for the top, I then glued them in, had already pre drilled the supports.View ImageView ImageThe top in place, clamped it, then put the screws in it and let it set up for about 3 hours before removing the clamps. With the clamps on I screwed down the top by laying on the ground. I recently got an impact driver, works great for getting a quarter turn at a time.View ImageView ImagePut the dowel pins in, never used them before....nice touch.View ImageSanded everything down with 150, then with 400. Before inital assembly, I finished sanded everything also. See how the top sticks up a little here? A later fixed it by removing the support screws, having my son sit on it, and drilling new holes for the support.View ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageAfter the first coat of poly dried, I sanded the whole thing by hand with 400 grit and a block.View ImageView ImageSecond coat of poly on.....now I have three, will probably do 5 or 6 and be done! What a sweet project for $240 total.View ImageView Image

3. 
   paulwaterloo1 | May 03, 2007 11:41pm | #8

   A few pictures of the finished product, works great for what it was meant for: fits in front of the sofa, high enough to eat dinner in front of the TV and looks good for company. Need a light colored rug for some contrast.....or maybe for ketchup stains?

    View ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView ImageView Image

2. 
   JohnT8 | Apr 23, 2007 08:25pm | #7

   Shellac is the original 'Green' wood finish.

   Nothin says lovin' like bug juice.

    jt8

   "The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide."-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow