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  1. 5th October 2013, 02:41 PM #1
    leonv
    leonv is offline Novice
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    Default Attempting to build my first red gum slab dining and coffee table

    Hey guys,

    I'm a newbe to this forum and to working with wood on this scale. Always had a dream to make a dining table and a coffee table out of a red gum slab. Finally going to give it a go!

    I'm after a bit of advise on the direction I should take.

    I have 3 red gum slabs: 2 are 3.3 m long, width is 700 mm one end & 350 mm the other. And the smaller slab is 1.5 m long, 720 mm at one end & 650 the other.

    I'd like to join the 2 larger ones together and cut the narrow ends off to make a table of roughly 2.5 - 2.7 m long.

    Would it be too difficult to cut the edge off of one piece following the grain, use it as a template for the other one and then join together?

    Or maybe make a rectangle frame out of 100 x 100 red gum, attach to the under side of the 2 long pieces, insert a thin sheet of timber (like ply but something nice) in the frame and against the bottom of the slabs and fill the gap between the two pieces with a resin or some other filler?

    OR.. As in the pictures, if I flip one piece over and have a branch section sticking out either side and cut the edges off straight then join?

    IMG_3560.jpgIMG_3561.jpgIMG_3562.jpgIMG_3563.jpgIMG_3564.jpgIMG_3565.jpgIMG_3568.jpg

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    Cheers, Leon
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  3. 5th October 2013, 05:53 PM #2
    leonv
    leonv is offline Novice
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    Default

    Or should I look for a wider slab for the top? Seems like too much work to be joining the 2 together and probably wont look as good?
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  4. 5th October 2013, 07:19 PM #3
    Oddjob1
    Oddjob1 is offline Old handle
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    Default Deep end!

    Hi Leon,

    looks like you have jumped in at the deep end on this one but never mind!
    Just remember, wood is like a woman! Independent with a mind of her own you must respect! And we do don't we! Red gum is one of the most cranky of woods given its unique grain structure. Unlike Oregon with it's amazing ability to retain it's original form Red gum moves any way it wants.
    So build whatever you want keeping in mind the Red gum will move over time possibly leading to structural weaknesses. Having written this I am in no illusion to the powerhouse of knowledge at the disposal of the forums no doubt forthcoming that will put my own sentiments to shame.

    Cheers Oddjob1
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  5. 5th October 2013, 10:23 PM #4
    jrock_au
    jrock_au is offline Senior Member
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    Default

    I thought the picture may help give you an idea if how to join the top. I typed in George nakishima (master of natural edged furniture) into Google images and this is one that popped up. I don't think the top is joined but rather held together with butterfly keys.
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  6. 7th October 2013, 12:25 AM #5
    leonv
    leonv is offline Novice
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    Default

    Cheers guys! Thanks for the link jrock_au, George Nakishima's work is amazing. I think I'll attempt the butterfly keys once I've built the coffee table!
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