Thread: Black hearted sassafras and ?? suggestions appreciated

Hey Brown Dog

An old favourite combination of mine is with Huon.

Regards

I agree with the Huon Pine suggestion. I just combined some Sass with Myrtle in a serving tray for my BIL, and the combination is okay but not great.

I had no choice because he asked me to make something from the "Tassie Timbers Sample Pack" that he bought a while ago and that's how he wanted it. The Huon and the Blackwood from that pack were narrow and will become a segmented bowl.

ive used she-oak looks ok..

I would have thought that there was enough contrast in the table already without introducing another colour/grain pattern to it.

The intention is to feature the top not detract from it. I personally would use white sassafras.

In my mind the design you have proposed should be used with a plain timber as it has a nice lines to it and perhaps the figuring of the sassy does not work in with the design (my opinion only, the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same designs).

Blackwood - Blackheart Sass is a great combination.

Huon - Blackheart Sass What a waste (of Huon) The creamy color / texture of Huon is almost identical to Sassafrass.

I'm the odd one out again, it seems. The first thing I'd consider is what type of setting it's going into. Generally, I'd be inclined to use a dark, even grained timber for the legs. Something plain... or japanned even.

If 'twas going to go into a modernist setting (white'n'sterile ) then I'd go t'other way and maybe consider bleaching poplar or similar for the legs.

Either way, I'd try to make the top into a "feature" and minimalise the visual impact of the legs.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

or japanned even.

Best suggestion yet

thanks for the suggestions guys

Originally Posted by KevM

I would have thought that there was enough contrast in the table already without introducing another colour/grain pattern to it.

This is kinda the way I am thinking. I think something close to the colour of the pale wood is what would look best

The intention is to feature the top not detract from it. I personally would use white sassafras.

Why didnt I think of that . thanks Kev....Im not sure I can get it locally so I might have to hunt some down

In my mind the design you have proposed should be used with a plain timber as it has a nice lines to it and perhaps the figuring of the sassy does not work in with the design (my opinion only, the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same designs).

I am in two minds about the amount of colour in that slab too. Another option would be to flip it over...the other side has less dark patches and I think it would look good with some inlayed butterflys in a timber the same colour as the dark patches....Two problems with that though
1. I think it would be a shame to hide all that figure/colour
2. I intend to leave the natural edge on the slab and would have prefered this edge profile \_______/ to this / \......but it might look okay, think I will wait till I have built it to see which looks best.

Blackwood - Blackheart Sass is a great combination.

As an experiment I have decided to use a bit of the sassy I had to chop off the end of this slab due to a big split, to knock up a little cabinet. I reckon I have enough to make a door panel and a drawer front. For the rest I was planning to use "Tassie oak"/KDHD or whatever it is that the local bunning sells...but maybe I should try some blackwood.

Huon - Blackheart Sass What a waste (of Huon) The creamy color / texture of Huon is almost identical to Sassafrass.

I tend to agree Lignum...dont think I could bring myself to use that much Huon just for some table legs

thanks again fellas
BD

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I'm the odd one out again, it seems. The first thing I'd consider is what type of setting it's going into. Generally, I'd be inclined to use a dark, even grained timber for the legs. Something plain... or japanned even.

If 'twas going to go into a modernist setting (white'n'sterile ) then I'd go t'other way and maybe consider bleaching poplar or similar for the legs.

Problem is Skew I dont actually know what kind of setting it will live in....Im hoping someone will like it enough to buy it

I did think of Jappaning but trying to picture it....I thought it might be too much black. Didnt think of the bleaching though....another one to experiment with I think...thanks mate

Either way, I'd try to make the top into a "feature" and minimalise the visual impact of the legs.

im thinkin along the same lines

cheers
bd

BD, what are the slab dimensions?

The one in the Pic is roughly 320mm wide 1000mm long 30mm thick.

cheers
BD

Not knowing how far you want to take the "asian" influence I can't comment on timber contrasts, but if you take away the natural edge the design in your first picture is the classic "fratino" style that has kept going strong since the middle ages. Traditionally, this would be made with only one type of timber.

Hi F&E

At this stage Im not married to any paticular influence. This table is more me experimenting with style to see what I like. Thats why asked for suggestions. Its always good to have extra opinions, as Im thinking of possibly making a couple more.

I had a quick google for the "fratino" style you mentioned but nothing really good came up, Do you have any internet references on it ?


cheers
BD

Hi BD.

I have googled 'tavolo fratino' and a good description of how to build one, with diagrams, came up. Small problem: it is written in Italian, but I am sure you can get the gist of it. You can also go to google.it images and it will come up with dozens of them. (I tried, and just to prove me wrong, none were of the old rustic shape you picked, all more refined variations... such is life!)