Small Table Base – Update
I have yet to have a project that has given me more grief as this little table. It seems it’s been one thing after another with this project!
A few of weeks ago I attached the curved part of the apron, and while clamping it for the glue up the apron distorted slightly. Ok, that was my fault. I thought I was being extra careful, because I knew this could be a potential problem. What little pressure I used, was too much. I let the base sit for a while, and it came back into shape for the most part. At least enough where I could work with it.
Then the other day, I happened to walk past the base sitting on my bench. The legs looked odd to me, they looked warped or twisted. I thought maybe the wood had started to move on me. I put a straight edge on the faces and everything seems to be ok. I’m thinking the grain is causing a trick of the eye. I wasn’t happy with the selection of wood I had for the legs. I think I just learned, not to settle on the wood selection of your project.
Here’s a picture of the base. The picture really doesn’t show the effect unless you know where to look.
I brought the table inside to see how it would look in the hallway.
Even thought this still “raw” wood, both my wife and I feel it is going to be too light for the room. I’m going to play around some different stains to see if I can find something we like.
August 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
That’s a nice little demi-lune, perfect size for the space it’s in. I don’t know about how it fits with your other furniture, but by itself it looks really nice there. Great job!
August 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I love how the front leg sits proud of the bent apron; it gives the table a bold front.
August 10th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Wow – that looks great. I’d like to see a closer view though!
I would caution you with regard to the use of the stain. Perhaps a deep shellac (an amber or garnet) could do the trick? Or, a blonde shellac and then a glaze over the top of it with a colored varnish of some sort if you want something darker? You’ll want to maintain the ability to see the figure of your top, so may not want the stain directly in the pores of the wood…
Do you have a sense of what color you’re after? Possibly something close to the color of the trim? If so, shellac may do the trick.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Thanks Ananda. I’m not talking about anything dark to deep in color. I was going to try shellac to see if that would give what we are looking for. I’m looking for a subtle change, nothing dramatic.