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  1. 4th March 2012, 09:04 PM #1
    Big_Easy
    Big_Easy is offline Novice
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    Default Outdoor Messmate table

    Well,
    Here is the frame finally constructed for my outdoor table.
    Two legs in place, other two currently having some large gum holes filled with curing casting resin.
    Table is all out of messmate stringybark milled by myself and my brother-in-law at his place at kinglake after the fires...wonderful timber, just hope I can show off the features properly!
    Overall table will be 2800 by 1100 and top will consist of 6 off 40mm boards running lengthwise.
    Legs are straight and v chunky! 150*150...they thankfully weigh a bit less now they're a lot drier (all timber air dried 14months under cover) will leave them with saw marks showing just for something different, but rest of table will be finished to at least 240 grit at this stage...hopefully that will look ok.
    Was going to fill holes in top boards with clear resin, and coat with 2-3 coats of F&W Outdoor furniture oil...as table will be on the deck, but fully under cover.
    Would love any suggestions as for other finishes that they have used...
    It's certainly been keeping me busy...and my little cheap random orbital has been working overtime and I'm only just got everything done in 40 grit! So it's going to be a while.
    Hope you're all having as much fun as I am...
    Cheers

    Big_Easy
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  3. 6th March 2012, 08:30 AM #2
    Rickey Herb
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    Looks good. Will be interested in how the top turns out. My old man has a shearing shed floor of messmate boards 150mm x 37mm. They have never been nailed down as he is waiting for them to shrink as they dry out. Only been there for 50 years!

    Rickey
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  4. 6th March 2012, 04:19 PM #3
    Big_Easy
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    Ricky,
    I'm a lot more confident that the top will look great now, filled the holes in the inside of one of the legs, sanded to 240 and now only one coat of oil, and its come up like the photo. 'real' colour is distorted slightly due to camera flash, but I've included unoiled (and not fully sanded) side for comparison.
    Some small bubbles/air pockets formed between resin and timber, so I'll have to re-read through the forums and see how to avoid them...but overall, very happy.
    If those boards your dad has got have already been on the floor for 50yrs im guessing they won't shrink much now!
    Being a shearing shed you'll find the wood will be full of lanolin (and other things) that you will smell if you machine it, but apparently the oil will make the finish a little darker, and a lot smoother!
    It'll make some pretty special furniture if he let's you get your hands on it!


    Big_Easy
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  5. 6th March 2012, 05:38 PM #4
    Rickey Herb
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    Looking good Big Easy. Love the character and the simplicity of the construction.

    I have my name on the floor boards. Might just have to replace them with treated pine or yellow tongue chipboard.

    Rickey
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  6. 8th March 2012, 03:15 PM #5
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    Sawdust Maker
    Sawdust Maker is offline Lignum Vexator
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    Nice wood
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,     tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...
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  7. 8th March 2012, 05:56 PM #6
    old pete
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    Default Messmate outdoor table

    Hi Big Easy,

    I don't know how you are going to go with messmate (E. obliqua) in an outdoor setting. Messmate is classed as Durability Class 1 ie non durable and not suitable for outdoor exposure. I think you will need a full cover for when it is not in use especially the bottom of the table legs. Good luck with it Old Pete
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  8. 8th March 2012, 06:12 PM #7
    Rickey Herb
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    I think you mean Durability Class 3 www.timber.net.au - The Australian Database of Timber - Messmate but concur with your concern. All comes down to the finish I suppose and perhaps something under the legs to keep them off the ground.
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  9. 8th March 2012, 06:52 PM #8
    old pete
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    Default Messmate outdoor table

    My apologies Ricky and thank you for correcting my error. I quite often draw upon imperfect memory without looking up the references and get those numbers the wrong way round: seniors moment. I don't think I'd put Tassie Mesamate in the moderately durable class but I know the mainland var. is a good bit more dense. Cheers and thanks again OldPete
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