Finish for Large Wandoo Dining Table

**woodhack** · 11th February 2009, 02:37 PM

As an absolute novice to woodwork i decided (in my infinite wisdom) to design and build our dining table. So off i set out on the task, having few tools and even less knowledge.

I managed to find in a salvage yard some wandoo timber just over 4 metres in length by 278mm wide by 50 mm deep and dead straight. I bought three lengths and then found a business that would dress it for me. My dressed timber lengths are now 6 lengths of 2000mm x 270mm x 40mm and it is magnificent. The timber is a least 50 years old and were used as building joists in a house in Applecross in WA.

Given the size of our young family i concluded that the dimensions needed to be at least 2300mm x 1150mm and i really like rustic style/type furniture so set about designing the table around my timber (and skill set) limitations.

I have now joined the top together to gain the size i need and have just enough timber remaining to build the underneath.

I have doweled it all together using just over 4 metres of 9.5mm dowel and 750ml of PVA glue. To get the length of 2300mm given my lengths were just on 2 metres, i had to cut one of the lengths in 2 and bread boarded the ends. If anyone is interested in photos let me know and i will see what i can do.

Given all the reading etc i have done to try and figure out what to do i have been trying to research the type of finish. I have decided to oil it as i think it is more in keeping with the look i am trying to achieve and i am not into high gloss reflective finishes. I am now somewhat confused over what type of oil to use and the method to use. i want it to be super...super smooth but mat type finish (not reflective). I have had recommendations from orange citris oil though to tung, linseed, danish etc etc and have no idea. Everyone has different views which is fine but all say their product is best.

I am trying to learn what to do and the best method and product to use to achieve what i am looking for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated??? Cheers

**rhancock** · 11th February 2009, 09:50 PM

Sorry, no idea about finishes, but everyone here loves to see photos.

**derekcohen** · 11th February 2009, 10:43 PM

Wandoo? WANDOO!

My god, man ... how did you manage to drill it for dowels? And who was able to thickness it for you? Did they know what it was beforehand?

That is tough stuff.

OK, finish? I would use Danish Oil. Rub off with a cloth, smooth with 0000 steel wool, redo .. (x3)

This will provide a protective coating and guard against water rings. It will leave a matt finish and look quite natural.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**sfrew** · 11th February 2009, 11:01 PM

Well I can just imagine the weight of the table ,you will probably need some strong lifters to move it .I also love wandoo I have put down a floor of wandoo and the carpenter was not a happy chippy when he found he would have to drill each nail hole.
I coated an outdoor setting with ARBOROIL and was really impressed with the finish it is really a wax and oil combination and the beauty of it is when it gets a little tired you can coat over the original finish -no rubbing back.The finish is mat and willnot come off on clothes.

regards Steve

**woodhack** · 12th February 2009, 12:47 AM

The weight of the table top is HEAVY!!!! Actually it takes one of my friends, my wife and myself just to turn it over and that does not include the legs. I am estimating it will weigh about 150 to 200kg when finished. I have designed it to come appart easily for moving so that should be ok.

The first time i moved it with just my wife and me and she collapsed under the weight...Nearly killed her...lol

I had it dressed at the Perth Wood School in Welshpool.

www.perthwoodschool.com.au

i explained what i had and they were willing to do it. Can't recommend them enough..total enthusiasts and nice people. I will use their services again in the future.

Thanks for the info. I'll investigate further. I will also try and get some photos up tomorrow. Thanks

**Juffy** · 12th February 2009, 12:59 PM

It's now tomorrow and where are our photos?

David from PWS is Marginata on here by the way, and is quite clearly insane if he's willing to thickness wandoo. I've just finished building a retaining wall out of a mix of jarrah and wandoo railway sleepers (real ones, not the fakeys) and it was easy to pick the wandoo ones - you try to pick them up...and then go fetch two more people and a trolley. Chainsaw didn't like 'em one bit either.

**Chez-star** · 12th February 2009, 01:24 PM

Two more people and a trolley? No, I believe you went off looking for a chainsaw, and left your mate and his brother to move the sleepers.... :P

**woodhack** · 12th February 2009, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by rhancock

Sorry, no idea about finishes, but everyone here loves to see photos.

Photos as promised. Lots of work to do and the sanding is about to start. Still building the underside.

**Juffy** · 13th February 2009, 12:07 AM

Nice work so far! That's going to look right purty when it's finished. I've been playing with the offcuts from some of my sleepers, and wandoo looks very nice polished up...just don't expect it to be kind to your sander.

**rhancock** · 13th February 2009, 08:08 AM

That's a beautiful bit of work! The grain looks lovely.

**redridge** · 27th February 2009, 12:54 AM

If that's what your turning out as a beginner, can't wait to see what you're doing in a coupla years

**artme** · 3rd March 2009, 07:39 PM

Haven't looked in hee for a while. Glad I did. That is one beautiful table top!

**martrix** · 3rd March 2009, 07:56 PM

yep that timber should outlast you.

I assume those breadboard ends are not glued on solid and you have allowed for expansion/contraction in the top?

**woodhack** · 7th March 2009, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by martrix

yep that timber should outlast you.

I assume those breadboard ends are not glued on solid and you have allowed for expansion/contraction in the top?

They are glued but there are some gaps in the join so it should be fine...at least that is my hope.

**flynnsart** · 7th March 2009, 10:10 AM

Looks fantastic. I could recomend that you protect it from moving around on you whilst you build your base. ie. wrap it in plastic or something to stop it wanting to twist or cup (although cupping is unlikely with the breadboard ends) It is such a bugger when you go to attach a base to something and find it has warped a bit. (as quite a few have found out on here) I dont imagine you would just be able to twist it back to shape too easy.

Donna

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