Thread: Wood for coffee tables

I'm sure there are many, but you could look at NZ Beech (similar to our Tasmanian Myrtle). It's nice to work with & comes up well. I presume it's readily available there.

I personally found that the sink cut out from the kitchen makes an excellent coffee table, kid and bullet proof. I've also used pine and old fence pailings.

It depends the look you want and the toughness you need.
light/dark, hard/soft, is strength a factor (do you have kids jumping off it), what finish do you want on it ????? :confused: The experts will need more info to narrow it down for you.

Originally Posted by DaveInOz

I personally found that the sink cut out from the kitchen makes an excellent coffee table, kid and bullet proof. I've also used pine and old fence pailings.

I was looking at old bits of fence before!! The overall theme for this project is a student flat- type deal, something that looks like its been banged together and roughly cut because he didn't have a table. Which, oddly, means I have to put a lot more work into it..Its beautiful. All of the joints are halving/T halving/cross halving, and it has 6 legs so on the table top there are 6 end bits coming through.. It took ages to design because it needs to be really safe as well.

The problem is that I can't at the present time make a list of everything the timber should be, because for my research I have to cover as many suitable options as possible and submit them to my 'client' (younger brother). I know that it will be varnished, and that it has to be quite strong (something which won't acquire dents and get marked easily from pressure)..But thats about it.

Im supposed to look at all timbers and then 'learn' EVERYTHING again..."so and so told me this.." "The book says this.."- I can't put anything down to my own personal knowledge. So I have to find as many suitable timber as possible, cut down my options by looking at aesthetics, durability etc.; rather than say "right, I want to use rimu because of the colour and durability, it's good to varnish, we have a lot available cheaply.."

I know its a chore and Im asking a lot, im greatful for any snippets thrown my way.

Any hardwood would suffice like your Rimu or Rewarewa(New Zealand Honeysuckle),Kauri,Totara might also suffice.
Redgum,Marri,Jarrah Sheoak,karri,Blackbutt,Blackwood,etc just to name a few Aussie timbers.

Cheers