Panels inset into steel frame

**LanceC** · 27th October 2018, 02:40 PM

My daughter made a steel coffee table frame as a school project, with the intention of inserting timber panels into the geometric “voids” on the top.

She did glue up some panels at school, but by the time we got the frame pack from powder coating, her infill pieces which had not yet been varnished, had bowed and twisted terribly, so got ripped into kindling.

The frame is made of 20 mm square section, which is the limit of the timber thickness.

Will varnishing be enough to stop it moving, or will we need another plan? If needing another plan, what would you suggest?

The total top dimensions are 1000 x 700. The photos show the “seats” in the corners where we intend fastening the panels.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

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**China** · 27th October 2018, 04:51 PM

Does it have to be solid timber I think this would be a good case for veneered ply

**LanceC** · 27th October 2018, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by China

Does it have to be solid timber I think this would be a good case for veneered ply

Funny you should mention that. I’ve been watching some fellow on YouTube (I forget his name) who makes beautiful furniture out of walnut faced ply for the body work. As I was writing this post I was thinking about that, and wondering what veneered ply I could find locally. I’ll take a look!

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**aldav** · 27th October 2018, 06:24 PM

Your daughter can come and do my steel work anytime Lance. Nice job.

**LanceC** · 28th October 2018, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by aldav

Your daughter can come and do my steel work anytime Lance. Nice job.

No kidding! I taught her what I know about stick welding (pretty agricultural), and she just nailed it.

Then my other daughter expressed an interest in using a chainsaw, so spent some time with her today on how to use it safely with good technique, and had her cross cutting and cutting out plunge cut squares in no time.

It’s an awesome feeling watching your kids excel!

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**hurcorh** · 30th October 2018, 03:17 PM

Should look great when complete. A sheet of 19mm Tas oak (or similar) faced plywood will work fine and have no movement issues. Will be your quickest method, too. Alternatively something kiln dried and quarter sawn would work fine, too. Finish both sides equally.

**LanceC** · 14th February 2019, 11:22 AM

Sorry for taking so long to show the finished result after all the advice that was offered. We ended up with some 18 mm meranti faced ply which was cut sanded and finished with a coupe of coats of oil based varnish.

We've all been exceptionally pleased with how well it turned out, and my daughter has had no end of compliments after visitors ask about the table.

Lance

**Chris Parks** · 14th February 2019, 02:06 PM

An excellent result, she should get a good grade for that.

**Treecycle** · 15th February 2019, 10:02 AM

Looks like you have a very talented daughter there.Not only is the fabrication spot on but the panels look like they have been fitted very precisely too.
We also have a coffee table in our lounge that our son made in year 10 and receives compliments from people who see it for the first time.
Like you say, it's nice to see their accomplishments.

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