Thread: New Jarrah Dining Table

Hi Ox,

How big a table are we talking here, and how thick are you planning to make the top?

I'm in a similar position to you having just finished the top on my first table, made from recycled bed frames and roofing beams. Best two bits of equipment - jointer and thicknesser.

My first choice for jointing would be to find someone close by who has a nice long-bed jointer (can't think who ) - no reason why you can't do it with a router table with enough table, fence and patience, but for 50mm well-aged jarrah you'd need a strong router and some serious cutters.

I have just finished making a black butt dining table and did the top jointing with an old stanley plane I picked up second hand for $40. I would be surprised if you could get a perfectly flat surface on long boards with a router unless you had very long router table. Still it would save a lot of time if you can do it.

Originally Posted by Juffy

Hi Ox,

How big a table are we talking here, and how thick are you planning to make the top?

I'm in a similar position to you having just finished the top on my first table, made from recycled bed frames and roofing beams. Best two bits of equipment - jointer and thicknesser.

My first choice for jointing would be to find someone close by who has a nice long-bed jointer (can't think who ) - no reason why you can't do it with a router table with enough table, fence and patience, but for 50mm well-aged jarrah you'd need a strong router and some serious cutters.

I have a triton Router Table, with a Bosch GOF 14 (I think its a 14) Router mounted in it, I also have some 2.8 mtr lengths of steel patio tubing that I am going to fashion into a fence in order to simulate a Jointer, hopefully enough to get me the accracy I require. I have explored the possibility of hire/borrowing, but because the wood is recycled, no ones interested. In addition, I would like to do it all myself as it is for my folks, so there is some sentimental come "I built this" value also.

The finished size of the top will be 1900mmX1000mmX35mm. I will recess the top and set a 6mm hardened glass pane in to protect and show up the wood after oiling. The glass will be 3mm in and 3mm out chamfered at the edges (I have already been on to the Glassies about this). Possibly a wierd way to finish a Jarrah Table, but thats what they want.

My other option offcourse is to buy a Jointer, though I simply dont have that sort of money, and I think the bulk standard DIY 6 inch Jointer wouldn't quite cut the mustard. for this sort of work?

Thanks for your suggestion alwyn, I have thought of this as an option, and for me, this would be a last resort as i'm one of those woodworkers that gets stuck when I cant find a powertool to do the particular job at hand!

Cheers all
Ox

G'day Ox,

If the availability of a power jointer is your only problem, there are a number of options open to you. Try one of the Men's Sheds to see if you can get some time on one there. You could pay a local joining shop to joint up a few planks. Or you could sign up for some night classes in woodworking & use the school's gear. In Sydney there are also places where you pay by the hour to use a fully equipped workshop. Not sure about where you are in WA.

You'll find something mate.

Mick

Originally Posted by Oxbox

I have explored the possibility of hire/borrowing, but because the wood is recycled, no ones interested.
...
My other option offcourse is to buy a Jointer, though I simply dont have that sort of money, and I think the bulk standard DIY 6 inch Jointer wouldn't quite cut the mustard. for this sort of work?

I might have been a bit subtle in my first reply.

I've got an 8" long-bed that you're welcome to use (probably in place, unless moving 120kg machines is your idea of fun...) and looking at your location I'm not that far away from you. Recycled doesn't bother me at all, I use mine pretty much exclusively to dress old roofing beams - not swallowing a nail would be nice, but that's about the limit of my fussiness.

Originally Posted by Juffy

I might have been a bit subtle in my first reply.

I've got an 8" long-bed that you're welcome to use (probably in place, unless moving 120kg machines is your idea of fun...) and looking at your location I'm not that far away from you. Recycled doesn't bother me at all, I use mine pretty much exclusively to dress old roofing beams - not swallowing a nail would be nice, but that's about the limit of my fussiness.

Juffy, Your too kind, I will get my ducks in a row and PM you!

Generously offered Duffy.

A true woody. Great to see!

So Guys and Gals, Sorry for the delay in getting the photos up. I will be honest right now, I'm not the best for reading the clock, if you know what I mean!....

So we have: 1. Where it all started, not the best, but nice timber still!
2. Looking better, but not quite a table, I'm getting there! 3.Mmmm the Thicknesser isn't going to like this, I better make him feel good before I start! 4. Nearly there, I didn't quitet anticipate this!! , 5. At last, still not there, But I can see the light, 6. He had a great day, but oops. . .Mums not happy!

More coming soon Guys

Your Offsider looks like my grandson.....................covered in dust I mean............just loves "workin'"
Well done mate

undies

Did his gumboot get thicknessed too?

That's a very solid top Oxbox- should come up a treat

Originally Posted by Juffy

Did his gumboot get thicknessed too?

That ones a bit of a mystery at the moment!, The boot definately went into the shed, but it never came out? All in a days work for a 2 year old I guess, and given these circumstances, yep it could very well have been thicknessed!!

Thanks for the kind comments guys.

Ox

Hey Guys, I haven't gone AWOL, though unfortunately an argument between my Thumb and the claw end of my hammer did slow me down somewhat!, its safe to say the Hammer won this one!, then a 60th Birthday party for my neighbour had me one the bench for the best part of Sunday. . .Oops!

I did happen to get approval to order a few Router Bits though, so cant wate for them to show! 1 3/4" Planing Bit, 1 1/4" Bowl Cutter and a 3" (cut length) Pattern Bit.

All this aside, I have made a little progress, Ive started working on the skirts and legs. I will have a good go in the coming weekend and hopefully post some more photos then.

All the best
Pete

Hi All,

Sorry about my absence with this project, but with all other commitments (As im sure many of you understand!) i have been hampered somewhat! anyway. . .

Firstly an enormous THANKS to Juffy for helping me out with the use of his jointer and some of his knowledge and assistance. I actually hadnt used a jointer before Sat, and wow, I have been doing things the hard way! Again Thanks Juffy, A top Woody!!

So after jointing at Juffies (keep it clean gents), I loaded up and took my freshly machined timbers home to run them through my thicknesser, down to the desired thickness (84mm if you must know, Somewhat worried as to the accuracy of my rather lower class thicknesser, I was happily surprised to see nice square and consistant edges. . .Thank God! Now All I need now is a new disc sander, (mmm, Its Fathers Day Son, off to Carbatec for a Woodfast 305mm jobby) to accurately square off the ends and I can begin the gule up, yeeha!

A few more photos, not really a lot more to see than the last time, but here they are anyway, enjoy peoples!

1. Loaded up with the standard "Mates Rates" form of payment. . Great taste Juff!
2. So far "The Table" has claimed the end of a Thumb, and caused a major smoke leak from my Planer. I Should be OK with the Planer though, I've checked ebay and, smoke refills for Makita Planers are readily available!
3. Mmmm, let the puzzleworks begin
4. Some nice features in there, this should finish up nicely. . .I hope
5. Son: "Dads A little concerned, at less than 2 yrs, I'm either going to be a Table Dancer, or an Architec", Dad: "Aaahhh, Go for the Architect son, its possibly a little more secure"!

Back with more soon
Ox