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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Brisbane, QLD
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    Default ‘Gaps’ in my design - what would you do?

    Hi all,

    im almost done making my first project, a coffee table in walnut. It’s been challenging for a learner and I’ve tried to use hand tools wherever possible which has been a great experience.

    I’ve just about finished fitting the table top (just a bit more planing to make the top flush with the rails) but now seeing it I think that perhaps the gaps between the top and legs (that protrude through the top) are a little too wide?. I’ve attached some pics for reference. The gaps are 4mm currently and my original logic was to create a feature and to allow for movement. I thought that 4mm would be ok because any smaller it could look like a poor fitting joint rather than an intentional gap.

    Looking at it now, I’m not so sure. I think my options are either leave it as is, or make a 2-3mm wide ebony piece to both close the gap and create a bit of a feature in the top. It would looks bit like inlay I guess but would be the thickness of the top.

    Anyone have an opinion on whether to leave it or close the gap?

    cheers!
    Attached Images Attached Images

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    I think I would leave them as is. All the edges however look quite sharp, I'd consider breaking the sharp edges by taking slight passes with a block plane, however you might want to experiment with some offcuts first to see if the look would suite your taste.
    Franklin

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Brisbane, QLD
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    Default

    Thanks for great the input.

    I’m going to soften the edges and still have a bit more work to do on it before I start finishing. I’m not sure if you can see in the pics, but the top is still slightly too big so once that’s sorted I was going to bullnose the edges (except those next to the legs in case I decided to add the ebony).

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    Dandenong Ranges
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    I think it would look good with the ebony if you do it, but it doesn't need it. It's an interesting design aspect so go you. Yeah, agree with softening the edges.

  6. #5
    Join Date
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    Sydney Upper North Shore
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    Leave the gap. It looks fine. In regards to softening the edges; I would soften on the perimeter but I like the internal sharp edge on the top and inner leg edges. Hope that makes sense.

  7. #6
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    Lappa's post shows the value of getting multiple view points.

  8. #7
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    Feb 2016
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    +1 on leaving it. Looks good.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
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    melbourne
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    I'd leave it as well.
    Those legs look nicely shaped and the break around them accentuates them and adds interest to your piece.
    looks like pretty nice work as well. good job
    Frank

  10. #9
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    I think it looks really classy. I would chamfer the edges gently and it will looks beautiful.
    Visit my website at www.myFineWoodWork.com

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Elizabeth Bay / Oberon NSW
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    Quote Originally Posted by mattocks View Post
    I'd leave it as well.
    Those legs look nicely shaped and the break around them accentuates them and adds interest to your piece.
    looks like pretty nice work as well. good job
    Frank
    Agree. The gaps add an interesting design feature.

    mick

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, QLD
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    Default

    Thanks for all the advice and words of encouragement. Nice to know that the thought and time put into the design is appreciated by others. I’ll stick with the current opening and soften the edges per everyone’s suggestions. It’s nice to get constructive feedback, it really shows that everyone takes an active interest in people’s work which is nice.

    I’ll hopefully get a chance to work on it a bit tomorrow between dad duties with our newborn. I’ll post pics when completed in a week or so. Thanks again.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    I’m going to put my head above the parapet and recommend using a contrasting timber as a filler...

    I agree that any gap bigger than 2mm would be readily identified as a feature and not the result of poor joinery, but I hate any gaps anywhere; sorry, just not my thing.

    What I hate about them is that they become magnets for crud; and I 100% guarantee that number 1 offspring will cause you to break out in Daddy’s Driving Words trying to scrape out the residue of snacks and nasal excavation from out of those gaps...

    Really looking forward to seeing the finished item, whichever way you go it’s going to look pretty good.
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Brisbane, QLD
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    I managed to get a few hours in the workshop over the past few days between dad duties and travelling to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane a few times.

    per everyone’s suggestions, edges have been softened and I’ve done a general tidy up. I started to finish the frame today with Osmo (I chickened out of using Tung Oil) and had an attempt at filling the grain via a method in FWW that involves a light coat of osmo and sanding to create a paste that is rubbed in. It didn’t work terribly well because a proper paste didn’t form. I’ll retry again tomorrow only this time a bit more oil and elbow grease with the sanding block. Hopefully it works!

    ive attached some progress pics.


    B81B3FE7-3742-4F3D-9E36-1E5DA252C068.jpg
    293AE0FD-ACB7-4407-8D13-596A831C22E9.jpgA8816151-41EB-4786-9B6B-E360D80729E5.jpg09B3DC0D-0429-4081-9C50-D174BCD5EA30.jpg59C1CEB5-2EDB-45DB-B50F-BA177628A2B8.jpg9682422E-85DE-4F8B-AE47-F8EAF43F4801.jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Oberon, NSW
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    From a structural viewpoint, a gap is better. In this design the legs act as pins preventing free movement, much as breadboard ends do.

    At the shorter ends of the table the apron stretchers are long-grain and the top is cross-grain, so there will be movement discrepancies as cross-grain tends to change to a larger extent than long-grain when climate/humidity changes,

    If the gap is closed somehow, best case scenario is that the table-top will shrink faster than the apron and pull away from the legs, re-opening the gaps. Worst case scenario, the top expands quicker than the apron lengthens, pushing the legs apart and thus trying to pull the legs away from the apron stretcher.

    Yeah. Leaving the gap as is is a good idea for more than aesthetic reasons
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    Brisbane, QLD
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    Thanks for the information skew!

    I agree and the gap was initially proposed for that reason (Queensland’s weather is hard on timber movement from what I’ve been told). The gap is bigger than I originally anticipated, but the comments from others has helped me get over that. It’s a fine line between design and practicality I’m learning.

    Hopefully im at the final hurdle now with the finishing.

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