Thread: Tree stump for dining table

Originally Posted by KnockDesign

G'day all. I have acquired 2 unique pieces of timber and am hoping to turn them into a dining table with a glass top. My dilemma is the base ???
Can anyone please help me in locating a tree stump supplier or another alternative way of obtaining a quality stump. Appreciate any ideas, thank you.

How big a stump are you looking for?

Unless additional cross pieces are used, to be stable top and bottom, and even allowing for a bit of flare, stump like bases will have to be reasonably large, and few people have any idea idea what a stump weighs or how to incorporate them safely into circular designs?

For example you should also plan the design so a large, eg 120 kg, person can sit on the edge of a table without it tipping over.

To balance the 120 kg person sitting on the edge of a 1200 mm diam with a 30 kg table top, a cylindrical hardwood wooden base will need to be about 600 mm in diameter and that means at 750 mm high it will weigh around 200 kg. If you can find one that flares it will be a little less but don't forget the flare itself will start to get in the way of peoples feet while the are seated at the table. Another possibility is to use a smaller stump and then add extended "feet" but that could look a little tacky.

I reckon table bases made out of stumps have about the same design success rate as natural edged furniture ie poor. From a design point of view the type of wood the base is made out should significantly complement your existing pieces. ie using a pine stump on a jarrah top would be tough to pull off.

Sorry to sound so negative but I thought I should point out all the issues involved in a circular design while I was at it and now to answer your original question. I would try a tree lopper or firewood supplier but you will have to tell them exactly what size and type of wood you want or you could find then delivering a 1 ton butchers block. Chances of finding one dry of exact;y what you are after are small. When they are green one, about the size discussed above will take a long long time (about 10 years) to dry.

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll go with a stone base instead if it's gonna be that difficult to obtain and use a stump. I really need to do justice to these pieces of wood and create something special.

Originally Posted by KnockDesign

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll go with a stone base instead if it's gonna be that difficult to obtain and use a stump. I really need to do justice to these pieces of wood and create something special.

I'll be interested to see what you come up with.