Thread: Grey Ironbark dining table WIP

In about 1987, I made a six-seater Elm kitchen table for some friends to complement their harlequin set of Windsor chairs in their holiday cottage in Somerset. It was a Windsor flavoured table with a cross brace inset about a foot from each end and the 'Windsor' turned legs were inserted through the braces and top and then wedged as per the Windsor chairs (and your table).

To my eye, the framing of your table has all of a sudden become obsolete. It looks like you've taken an existing table whose legs have been lost and then stuck in four new legs for a quick sale. Not your finest work Claw. Just my opinion (bear in mind I don't know or understand anything about modern design).

I would not have chosen those legs either but as long as the client likes it .

Originally Posted by artme

Sorry to say that I'm not fussed on the legs Claw.

Just don't think they suit the general geometry of the piece. But if the cutomer is pleased then that is all that all that matters.

I thought the legs were going to be somehow attached to the skirt

This is the clients design, they came to me with fuzzy magazine cutout and said we want one of these. The cross brace is needed to keep the 30mm think Ironbark in check and the table in the photo had a skirt right round too so it is for looks as much as anything although it does help stop the outer edges of the Ironbark from wanting to curl. I am going to put a block between the side skirt and the leg, it has a very tiny bit of flex that a block should fix. Anyway it looks almost identical to their photo so I have done my job. Thats how most of my work comes in, a lot of the time I get to put my own twist on things which is more fun. Bear in mind the only thing I have ever made from a plan/drawing was the baby cradle.

Well they can hardly complain if that's what they asked for and you did say pencil legs

I'd like to see the top with some finish on it - I think it will look speccy

Customers! They should be disuaded from 'contributing' to the design process. If a leg breaks off, guess who they'll blame! If not directly to you, possibly to another prospective customer.

Crikey CH, you get some harsh (but fair) critics on this forum

But to be fair, I have only found great support and great inspiration here

Damn customers, always right !!! Even if they are Philistines

Philistine Meaning and Definition

1. (n.) A person deficient in liberal culture and refinement; one without appreciation of the nobler aspirations and sentiments of humanity; one whose scope is limited to selfish and material interests.

See Jill

We're not realy critising CH and especially not his workmanship

My preference is for a table I can stand on to change the light globes if need be. I'm not sure I'd trust one with pencil legs to hold my weight

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

See Jill

We're not realy critising CH and especially not his workmanship

My preference is for a table I can stand on to change the light globes if need be. I'm not sure I'd trust one with pencil legs to hold my weight

To tight to buy a ladder eh Nick

Come on tell the truth its dancing on the table naked you need strong legs for.

Originally Posted by Claw Hama

No problem just glad to hear that people are safe.

Almost done, used a block template to keep the angle the same on each leg, drilled, glued and wedged each leg. Just have to trim the tenons, sand and put some plugs in 4 screw holes in the skirt. Add a few ml of finish and its done. Sounds easy when you say it fast.

This style of legs if I remember correctly is from around the late 50's through 60's I always admired my Aunts heavy extendible table with similar legs.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

This style of legs if I remember correctly is from around the late 50's through 60's...

Ercol popularised this style of furniture in the mid 50s.

Claw, is the wedge chucked in free of charge, or will you add it onto the bill

For what its worth, I dont mind the legs at all.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

To tight to buy a ladder eh Nick

Come on tell the truth its dancing on the table naked you need strong legs for.

Table's too heavy to move!
I can't dance

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

Table's too heavy to move!
I can't dance

This is why small thing only turned on a decent lathe, anything bigger than a pen is to heavy

No need to prove it either...........