Stand design opinions

[ben17487]

Hey all, would love to get some opinions, if I may, of a table I'm currently making.

It is a mame-Shohin size table, dimensions are 178mmW x 128mmD x 45mmH and it's a merbau timber.

This was my intended design;





The base frame edges will be rounded.

But I'm unsure as I like both these styles too;

More masculine.


With a shadow line.


The only issue with the second designs is the underside of the top board has damaged edges between the center board and frame due to routing. I would have to fill it or somehow sand it..

Looking forward to some opinions!

Cheers,
Ben

[Jarad]

Nice work mate!

I prefer the first one. What sort of finish will you be using?

[Matt S]

Top work.

I prefer the second, mainly because the strength of the wide legs are in conflict with the more delicate top in the first.

Either way, well done.

Matt.

[ben17487]

Thanks guys

I agree Matt, wasn't too sure how it was going to turn out as I was making it so always good to be able find something that works better.
Shame about the damage on top :/ I'm sure I'll be able to mix up some filler and form a sharp edge.

Not to sure yet Jarad, will have to do some stain tests to see if I want to leave it natural.
Will most likely varnish in a satin though.

Cheers,
Ben

[Jdceng]

Hi Ben

For me the first pictures are the go as the others look like a mistake and unbalanced with the top the other way up.

Nice job by the way.

Have you tried to see how dark it goes when wet slightly with a damp rag.

Tip for a different finish on smooth timber.

If you get a wettex wrap it into a tight small pad.

Then wrap it tightly inside a pantyhose style material sock, you can roll the sock around after it is inside & fold it back over itself.

Using food grade No powder rubber gloves.

Use a good quality (Cabot's) Oil Base Satin Finish Marine Varnish & Dip the wettex sponge into the Tin it has to be virtually dripping with varnish & RUB it into the timber in circular motions.

You will end up with a Smooth French Polished LOOK.

If you seal the pad in glad wrap or the rubber glove by pulling it over with the pad in your hand it will last till you have around three coats or more on the timber.

There is also a Liquid Urethane finish also available from bunnings, this penetrates deep as well.

Remember its all in the smoothness of the wood in the first place.

I use as a final & between coasts 000 steel wool, just make sure that you blow any traces of the steel wool residue from the timber, usually available from antique & second hand old style timber cabinet places.

I think that bunnings now stock's the steel wool.

Good Luck
JC

[ben17487]

Great tips, I'll have to give it a try!
Thanks JC

As for the design, I see what you mean, the top is too thick for the second option, it might work if it's attached like in the first pic...

I'm going to have to see how the rounded edge looks on the first design to really know if it works but there's no coming back from that..

Still learning proportions and weights for these table designs.. It's a satisfying process though.

This will be for sale if anyone is interested and has any requests.. I'm saving for more machinery

Cheers,
Ben

[tgward]

like both --the last two remind me of eastern temples

[RogerW]

What timber are you using.

Roger

[ben17487]

Tgward - thanks mate! Yeh I like how solid and stumpy the last two are.

Roger - it's merbau, I had a few small bits of scrap to work with.
Has a nice colour and grain to it, a little soft to work with though.

[peterb]

Hey Ben
I like the design in the first photo, you're doing a good job there
peterb

[melbrackstone]

I like the idea of the first one, but I'd rather if the top over hung the legs rather than lined up with the edge.

Good on you for trying this!

[melbrackstone]

Kind of like this...

Hope you don't mind

s.jpg

[shibui]

I think smaller base might work better for the upside down top as well?

[peterb]

Hey Mel, that's exactly what I had in mind as well. Seems you're quite a whizz on photoshop , well done
Peterb

[Jdceng]

Hi Peter

What would look even better is how Mel has it as the top over size & if you had a small space between the top & the legs as you have in the last picture with the top upside down.

It looks like a floating effect using dowels or small square pieces, that I have seen on another forum.

JC