Thread: How do they build them

Chances are that they are constructed as Torsion boxes. Hollow frames with a grid of ribs inside, plywood skins and solid wood trim around the outside. That makes a large stiff top that could still be lifted by a few strong blokes.

You probably aren't far off with the floor sander idea, maybe a finer grit than you would use on a floor, Finishing,, well put on your soft soled shoes and get up there with a spray gun and finish it like a floor.

As for getting it inside, building walls can be removed, just make sure the contract make the installation the buyers problems.

Ian

I saw that, it was a nice table and I had wondered about it myself, however, Ians suggestion sounds close to me.

Denn

A lot are inconspicuously made of several pieces...

Originally Posted by dennford

I saw that, it was a nice table and I had wondered about it myself, however, Ians suggestion sounds close to me.

Denn

ah i have a few pics on the computer of giant tables made from thousand year old trees that were found buried in the ground.(now if i can find them) the table tops were one solid piece / slab of wood. The tree was cut into planks. and the diameter of the tree was a good7 ft in places which meant they could use a plank for a table top!

Ian I suspect you’re right, it’s a mammoth task whatever way they are built.
I do hope there is a forum member who has had hands on experience with these projects who can enlighten me.

Denn you know what show I was watching, sort of wish I hadn’t.

Harry72 No doubt about it, how could a thing of such size be installed in room unless in sections.

Patrickdt10 Looking forward to seeing what pics you have

Col

Originally Posted by bark-hut

Denn you know what show I was watching, sort of wish I hadn’t.

I guess that would have been "The Howard Years" - unless there were two prog's that showed huge tables!

Denn

I remember "Austrailian Wood Review" did an article on board room tables once.

There were about 4 different tables by different woodworkers using different methods of construction.

It was quite a few years ago, not sure which edition, you might be able to chase up a back-issue.

Originally Posted by patrickdt10

ah i have a few pics on the computer of giant tables made from thousand year old trees that were found buried in the ground.(now if i can find them) the table tops were one solid piece / slab of wood. The tree was cut into planks. and the diameter of the tree was a good7 ft in places which meant they could use a plank for a table top!

Seven feet isn't especially big. Down near Albany, there's a tree in which people used to be allowed to park their car for photographic purposes. We photographed the family Ford Customline , similar to this. There was ample clearance.

We had several Marris on the farm that would have been seven feet or so in diameter.

all i can find! sweet finish on it though!

Originally Posted by Johncs

Seven feet isn't especially big. Down near Albany, there's a tree in which people used to be allowed to park their car for photographic purposes. We photographed the family Ford Customline , similar to this. There was ample clearance.

We had several Marris on the farm that would have been seven feet or so in diameter.

jays its big on usual sizes!

Hi patricktd10, that sure is a swell table, the person who made it should be very pleased with themselves.
Not often we see timber slabs that big.
The tree Johncs mentions is HUGE, if it’s still there, they stopped you parking car inside the tree many years ago, is located in the Valley of Giants at Walpole on south coast of West Australia. I was born and raised in Denmark, 70 klms or so east of Walpole.
I’ve not seen any slabs cut from trees the size of the one in Walpole.
I have seen slabs, over 4 feet wide and 10 foot long cut from pine.

Hey Johncs, have you walked the ‘sky walk’ at the Valley of Giants, well worth while if you get the time.

(still looking for member with hands on experience building boardroom tables)

Col
(Ironwood, am doing a bit of scratching around for info re the AWR article)

Originally Posted by patrickdt10

all i can find! sweet finish on it though!

Beaut table, and as said a big slab of wood but the table being talked about was many times bigger than that - bigger than the room by twice.

Denn

This is probably about as big as you would want to go with a single piece of wood.



It's 15ft long, approx 5ft wide (it tapers) and 6" thick. Weighs more than a ton

Wood is NZ Kauri

Ian

Originally Posted by dennford

Beaut table, and as said a big slab of wood but the table being talked about was many times bigger than that - bigger than the room by twice.

Denn

wow, i must try lookin them up. any pics on the internet??