Thread: Blue Gum Slab Desk

Oh Oh you guys know me too well.

Not much to report at the moment. Got a little side tracked building a couple of small unrelated projects. I did machine a heap of timber for the frame but am still umming and ahhing over design. I've nearly got it nutted out so should have some progress soon.

I did a google search for 'solid slab desk' images to try and get the creative cogs turning and the first picture that popped up was one of mine from this thread. I must be doing something right.

this is coming along as quick as my benchbuild

I'd say quicker

Been following this but have declined to comment again for some time.

That certainly is a tremendous looking slab NC.!! I can appreciate the fact that you don't want to darken it too much.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Probably an oil/turps/poly mix. I have to do a bit of research. I don't want to darken the timber too much.
I thought about dog holes in the legs as well but I don't think I will be holding big slabs too often and I can clamp to the rail if the piece is a bit shorter. How is your bench going? Haven't seen an update in a while.

With your finish mix, I put some raw linseed oil on some mango and then the next piece of mango (same log) made the mix with pale boiled linseed oil which didn't make the mango anywhere near as dark, just something to consider when the time comes

Pete

Thanks Pete, I haven't seen the pale variety. But I do live miles from anywhere so not surprised. I'll have a look next time i'm in Newcastle. Might be exactly what i'm after.

Pete

Progress?

Let me answer that with a question
Bench Progress?

Actually, not a lot. I've been playing with Sketchup to try and finalise the design. Nearly there. I think I will just start building and let it work itself out.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

Let me answer that with a question
Bench Progress?

,,,

SFA

been doing paid work and I'm sposed to be retired

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

SFA

been doing paid work and I'm sposed to be retired

Pffftt, you're only 56. Get back to work.

basket

Originally Posted by NCArcher

A few Fridays have come and gone but not much shed time.
Still smoothing and removing tear out. Scally was right on the money. This is a tricky slab to flatten by hand. Grain is all over the place. I have a M2 blade in the #4 1/2 that has been sharpened to around 32° and although it is taking tissue thin shavings and doing a good job in general I still have to be careful where the grain changes direction.

I have a blade I use for planing cranky stuff such as NGR or Brigalow, which has a back bevel of around 10 degrees and this produces a surface that only requires a quick lick of 400 grit paper before finishing. I suggest trying this with a 10 degree back bevel which only needs to be a very narrow bevel of 0.5 mm or less so & you can then easily increase the angle if need be. The force you will need to push a # 4 1/2 will be much greater and will increase as you increase the back bevel angle, so take only very fine cuts.

Regards