Garden trestle table

**derekcohen** · 13th March 2006, 07:42 PM

With all this landscaping I am currently doing at home (no thanks to Rufus, the golden retriever, who ate the reticulation, which killed the lawn), I took a short break and built a garden table. Two criteria: it needed to seat 8 and had to be cheap. Well, I estimate I spent about $75. Probably too much

The old table was a couple of Jarrah boards on cast iron legs (that had come off somethingorother). The boards were wonderful originally - were the top of a science lab bench top from the University of WA, probably circa 1900, bought about 18 or so years ago and, unfortunately, left out in the rain and snow to weather for about 12 months. This was not good to them - they warped, and I flattened them with a router about 15 years ago when I built the table. I think they deserve better now, so I will refinish them and transform them into fine furniture for the home. Here's what I had.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

I decided to build the new table around the available (suitable) timber I had to hand. This was about 5 or 6 Jarrah floorboards and a bunch of treated pine (that was earmarked for an arbour). I figured that treated pine would weather the Perth sun and resist the Perth white ants. It is not good to build with, tho', since it is impregnated with naughty stuff - a mask is essential when creating dust.

First I built the trestle legs.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

These were through-morticed and wedged on the vertical, and pinned on the horizontal.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

Next came the frame for the table. The first picture shows the underside.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

and a detail of the mortices:

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

The top side reveals the routed (yeah - 'tailed tools!) rabbet around the centre.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

And a detail of the corner. Because I did not want to join an end- to a side grain at a point where expansion/contraction gaps would be unsightly, I chose to mitre the corners. However, to obtain maximum strength, I added a spline through the width, then pinned these on each side. That sucker ain't movin'! Well, there will be some, so I added a decoration strip of Jarrah to the mitred joint to disguise any gaps.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

The frame was then screwed to the trestle top. Then the Jarrah boards were added. These were screwed down at the ends and centre, and the holes were filled with a dowel. The whole lot was given a coating of Sikkens UV sealer, and the Jarrah was given an extra coat of marine varnish (I really want to try and hold its colour, rather than let it go grey).

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

And a little detail of the top. There is 2mm between each board.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Trestle%20Table/TT9.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

Now I need to oil the teak chairs. Will it ever end?!

Regards from Perth

Derek

**DPB** · 13th March 2006, 09:33 PM

As alway, very impressive work, Derek.

**Wood Borer** · 13th March 2006, 09:45 PM

Lovely work Derek, I hope the $75 didn't break the bank.

**fletty** · 13th March 2006, 10:03 PM

rain and SNOW?
Perth?
Lovely work Derek, there's a special feeling in bringing timber back to life, it's like letting it escape from and old overcoat,
Fletty

**zenwood** · 13th March 2006, 10:12 PM

Interesting construction, Derek. Some thoughtful use of materials.

Where is the treated pine? Is it the base? If so, it doesn't seen to have the green tint on the treated pine I know. What kind of mask did you use when working it?

**derekcohen** · 13th March 2006, 10:26 PM

The treated pine is the base and top surround. It did have some tinges of green, but I deliberately chose pieces that were not so marked, and these planed off quite easily.

For a mask I wore one of the ones with an changeable filter, one for dust and spray.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Driver** · 13th March 2006, 10:42 PM

Good work, Derek. Looks great. Have a greenie.

You do realise, of course, that now you have made the table look so attractive, Rufus will probably feel compelled to eat it, too?

Col

**Harry72** · 14th March 2006, 02:38 AM

Nice work DC, yup agree with Driver... keep Rufus away!

**Woody1** · 14th March 2006, 03:29 AM

Derek

Very nice indeed

**Jill** · 14th March 2006, 10:12 AM

Great work & informative thread, Derek - and a fantastic backyard! That pool sure looks great!

Cheers,

Jill

**JDarvall** · 14th March 2006, 01:45 PM

Lovely job Derek. Looks like heaps of strength in that. Especially like the through wedged tenons....now thats strong. It reminds me of a set of draws I built for my daughter.....I was a bit too obsessed with these joints at that stage.

Way too many, and now, the whole thing looks way too busy to me......Nothing particulary flash. Lots of little boxes in one big box. Through dovetails everywhere, and wedged tennons. Think it was tassie oak and blue gum. ? .....

Anyway I remember, I paniced at glue up. I had a couple of wedges tapped home, with it all clamped up, and suddenly thought I'd stuffed up the dimentions. But it was all ok after all.

Photos could be better. Sorry, dark room.

Good question though. Unfortunetly,,,, no, it probably won't ever end... Can see why some people prefer minimal possessions......means less upkeep I guess.

**derekcohen** · 14th March 2006, 05:21 PM

Jake

That's a very nicely built chest of drawers. Well done!

Do you know, that is the first piece of furniture that I have seen you post here? Do you have more to show?

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Simomatra** · 14th March 2006, 05:56 PM

Well done once again Derek

Fantastic work needs a greenie

Cheers Sam

**Carry Pine** · 14th March 2006, 06:05 PM

Loved the way you took us step by step through the construction. Well done, Derek.

**Auld Bassoon** · 14th March 2006, 07:29 PM

Hello Derek,

Great work on rejuvenating the old Jarrah boards. Super joinery too. Locked and pinned mitres.

I guess you must have been in a hurry, using a tailed-critter :eek:

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