Shaker dining table, birdseye maple
April 21st, 2009 in The Gallery
Charles Griffith, member
19 users recommend
Photo: Self
Ninety inches long with a top that's 1 5/16" thick, this table owes its light appearance to the placement of the trestle. Tucked up against the underside of the top, it's largely unseen, allowing the top to "float" above the two legs. The trestle and legs are securely joined by two 6" bed bolts at each end. To hide the bed bolts' mechanical appearance, an ogee shaped end cap is placed on the outer side of each leg, held in place on a dovetail key, as shown in the fourth picture. Breadboard ends are designed to accommodate the top's seasonal movement. Color is Moser's Golden Amber Maple. Finished with gel varnish, rubbed on with 0000 steel wool in several coats.
Design or Plan used: Adapted from traditional Shaker
posted in: The Gallery, table, maple, shaker, varnish, oil
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Comments (13)
Are you ignoring me or did you just miss my question?
Jack Posted: 3:50 pm on July 23rd
A fairly detailed description of how I make the images is posted as a response on my "Splay leg table" post of May first. The background is made using the gradient tool of Photoshop Elements. The original background was the dining room where the table normally sits. That background was removed, and the table image was moved to a new blank background. Then the gradient and shadows were added.
If you're not a Photoshop user that probably doesn't mean much, but all I can say is to get Photoshop Elements (it's usually about $80) plus a decent instruction book, then dive in. Some people overdo the corrections it lets you make, so you have to be careful about that. But it's by far the cheapest and easiest way to make studio quality images without having a studio.
Best regards,
Chuck Posted: 2:45 pm on July 17th
I noticed you have some great shots.
What did you use to get that background? Posted: 9:31 am on July 10th
I am building Peter Turners Shaker Linen Press and 6 Moser style dining chairs. We really like your table and think it will go well with the Press and chairs. I intend to start building it next semester in Palomar College's woodworking classes. I would appreciate knowing the table width and any plans or other information that you are able to provide.
Thank you Jack Posted: 11:36 am on June 11th
Glad you like it. The top was attached by screws recessed in holes through the cross pieces. The screws farthest out run in slots to allow for seasonal movement. Posted: 8:53 pm on May 6th
Thanks for your comments. I think I have enough pictures left for four more Shaker posts, plus another if a current project gets done soon. The big birdseye maple came from Conway Hardwoods in Gaylordsville, CT. Unfortunately, the company's owner has decided to stop selling figured maple. When I bought it, I took it for granted that this stuff was easy to come by. I didn't know how lucky I had been. I don't have a web site, but if you click on my name at the top of a post you can see the whole deal all in one place. I think FWW.com's Gallery is a fine thing, a great way to see what other people are up to. Posted: 2:23 pm on April 22nd
Also, where did you get such large and beautiful Birdseye maple?
Posted: 9:47 am on April 22nd
Thanks for your kind words. I was afraid that putting up so many posts might seem obnoxious. Glad to hear that somebody out there doesn't feel that way. Yes, Hancock Shaker Village is a great place. They let you walk around on your own, which you can't do at Canterbury. If you ever get a chance you should definitely visit Pleasant Hill in Kentucky. You can spend the night there in a Shaker building. The preservation was done by the same person who did Williamsburg. It's just perfect in every way. Sorry, but I've never made a washstand. I have done some compound angle dovetailing, and it's always fun. My first two posts (a cradle on 3/31 and a tray on 4/1) show them. The tray was especially interesting because the joints include a miter at the top. Good luck with your new house and workshop. Hope to see a post from you soon.
Best regards,
Chuck Posted: 7:01 pm on April 21st
Your work is gorgeous and I got excited like you when I first discovered Shaker pieces. It's what I've always wanted to build. I've been to Hancock Shaker villge a few times. I just now have a home and workshop even though I've gotten by elsewhere in the past. Nearly all of the projects you've posted here, I have intended to do someday as well. Love Kassay's book! Anyway, I've been watching your posts awaiting to see the Shaker washstand with the one door base and the dovetailed, compound angled top. Is that something you'll be posting soon?! lol
Thanks for the great posts,
Greg Posted: 4:37 pm on April 21st