Strip Table in oak and walnut

The seed idea for this instructable came in part from Wholmans fantastic Scrap Table http://www.instructables.com/id/Scrap-Table/.

However I needed to make something that would not look out of place againts the rest of the furniture in my house.

The timber is shop bought (about £120) of oak and black walnut.
I apologise now for the lack of photos of the construction but I have attached a detailed sketchup model and plans for each component.

Have fun and hopefully someone with better carpentry skills than me can do it justice.

Step 1: Understand the design

First have a look at the model ' table complete.skp' and take some time to understand the design. If you have never heard of sketch up it is free modelling software from google. To just view the model simply download sketchup viewer.

http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/download/gsuviewer.html

and open the file in it. Spin the model round to get a good look at it.

The basis for each component is a 25mm x 30mm section. The real change I made to the design during construction was to cut down the number of threaded rods to 3, however I think in hind sight with a decent set of sash clamps they could be omitted altogether and the top could be just glued. 

Comments

[craftyv]

I absolutely love the smooth yet rustic look and how it does seem to go very well with your other "decor". Enjoyed what I could of the Ible. but it's a bit too clever (computer wise, I mean), for me. Well done.

[glorybe]

Round legs generally make for less work. It is so easy when building tables or shelves to drill for round sockets compared to cutting square holes.

[hogthrob]

There is always an easy way to do something but I wanted a unique leg.

I spent quite a long time redesigning the table with a folding plane. Originally the top surface was going to fold down into the legs but these were a compromise to get the folding style but with the amenity of being able to sit round the table. without the legs getting in the way.

[CementTruck]

Interesting leg design, and the way it is attached to the the table is novel as well.

It looks like the threaded rod is the only lateral support as I don't see any stringers that go across the bottom of the table for lateral stiffness. Does the table bow (forward to back) when a load is placed on the center?

I was planning on making a butcher block tabletop this way, but was planning on using kitchen cabinets as the base, which would control the bowing.

Kudos on a great build! I really like the minimalist design. I'm also a fan of using different woods in a project.

[hogthrob]

no there is no stringer once its all glued its pretty stiff I havent tried sitting on it but its pretty sturdy and as the egs are glued in place too its there is very little movement.

I think the difference with a butchers block top is that the timber is sashed up so the end grain becomes the surface I would think that the kitchen units would be very supportive bu also you could strap the sides with timbers running latterally so you end up with a great big stringer.

Are you making an island unit?


Thanks for your comments.

[CementTruck]

I am actually making a workbench down in the basement for my electronics (and other indoor) projects. I have 2 old kitchen counter cabinets and a pile of recycled lumber that I'm itching to do something with.

[aeray]

Looks good, and it does appear to match your decor/trim well.

[Dr. Pepper]

Freakin awesome!

[hogthrob]

cheers wholman

[wholman]

looks good, man, congrats.