Tabletop Advise

**jh1440** · 19th October 2006, 07:46 AM

I'm looking for some advise.

We are almost finished with a 5 month kitchen renovation project. The last big thing on my list is making a tabletop. This will be a 36"-42" wide x 48"-54" long top, attaching at one end to the back of some island cabinets, and supported on the other end by a post or pillar. I would like to have a radius curve in the free end, perhaps on a 20" - 25" radius.

While I have some basic woodworking skills (I made a couple of the cabinets for the kitchen) and have a table saw and band saw, I don't have a joiner, or any experience with biscuiting or gluing panels.

First, I'd like some advise on what kind of wood to use. If we decide to cover the top (we're considering either a glass top, or perhaps sheet copper with glass or resin on top), I think I can probably use some kind of plywood. If the top will be exposed, I don't know if that would work. Any thoughts?

Second, I'm not sure how to finish the edge. I was thinking of some kind of molding, perhaps bullnose or something, if I can find something which can bend around the curve. I know that there are plastic moldings which are supposed to be bendable, but I don't know what they would look like.

Any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated. If I've left anything out that is needed, I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thanks in advance.

**Gumby** · 19th October 2006, 07:57 AM

First thing to do would be to have a hunt through the Woodwork Pics section of this forum.
You'll find helpful posts like this one:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f40/wip-dinner-table-32782

It's a full dining table but the top construction may be useful to you.

**Tex B** · 19th October 2006, 10:19 AM

If you make the top from solid wood, you can cut the curve you're after on the bandsaw. Then use a router to put a 'molded' edge on the whole piece, which will avoid trying to bend molding. A router will cost about the same as the molding, but the bit might be a little more than that.

Tex

**Sigidi** · 22nd October 2006, 07:23 PM

go the solid slab of timber

**Wild Dingo** · 23rd October 2006, 01:44 AM

Or if worst comes to worst you can sand a roundover on it... its not hard just tedious and it works just fine.

ooh and the wood to use? Would have to be Jarrah... when only the best will do do the best you will do... JARRAH!!

ooooooooohhhh uhuh mmmm just noticed the "Atlanta area" thing... and since I dont think theres an Atlanta in Aussie Im going with Atlanta USA... And in that case Id suggest... mmmm the redwood tree? Maple? Elm? Hickory? Tassy Oak?!

okay so I tossed that one in to confuse you but Id guess some hard stable local timber would be best.

We intend to use JARRAH which is a hard stable local timber and when done slather the heck out of it with that 2 part poly goop... sorta gives a finish equal to 50 layers of varnish I believe

... anyway its looked great on everything Ive used it on so far

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