U Shaped Timber Table

Hi, I am not sure if anyone can help me, and sorry for my stupidity, I don't do this for a living, although I am quite the handy man, My father would normally help me with this sort of thing but he is currently on holidays.

I want to build a table for my new house, I like this sort of table because it's unique and it will fit perfectly into my house.

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/at...ry-kitchen.jpg

Although this one is butt up against the kitchen I want the legs both sites, BUT not that timber more something like this:
http://cthuliz.com/blog/wp-content/u...PipeTable2.png

I like how the colours change and it looks like panels.

Now for the stupid questions, What is this timber? how do I find it where do I buy it from? To be honest I watch the Block, A tv show here and they showed a couple making one, BUT to me it looked like floor boards... is it? How do they get it so thick?

I also need to know how to get the corners so flush, it looks like one piece. I see the diagonal cut and it must glue together?

Also the finish is it just floor boards or something similar which you put together than sand it a heck of a lot and give it a coat of varnish?

If anyone knows the name of these tables, how to make them, can provide me names of timbers to use, where to buy the timber anything is very helpful! I know it sounds like I know nothing but I am learning and I have not played with this sort of thing before!

They are all individual boards laminated together, and are probably a variety of species. Laminating makes for a very strong finished product, and without the need to source large pieces of timber.

You'll need a bit of machinery to make so I think it'll be cheaper for you to buy one already made.

I have machinery to do it I have access to large scale sanders, and the lot, I just need the help to make it my father owns a cabnit making business which I can freely use tools, He says as long as I don't request help from staff then I am fine to use anything I need.

I don't want to buy one, I want to make one, BUT if I do have to buy one what are these kind of tables called? U Shape? C Shape? I just don't know what to search.

Firstly you will get more help localised help if you indicate where in Australia you are located.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by l3rodey

Now for the stupid questions, What is this timber? how do I find it where do I buy it from? To be honest I watch the Block, A tv show here and they showed a couple making one, BUT to me it looked like floor boards... is it? How do they get it so thick?

---

As Fence Furniture says that timber could be anything. What I suggest is looking on-line to see what merchants are selling "laminated timber bench tops". showing them what you want.
Normally laminated timber bench tops are nowhere near as thick or as wide as this but they may be able to join some pieces together - prepare to pay $$$$$.
If you find any merchants that are local to you printing off the photo and taking it to the timber merchant might get a faster response.
Doing it online is unlikely to get much response as these guys sell this stuff to cabinet makers by the hundreds of metres.

Quote:

---

I also need to know how to get the corners so flush, it looks like one piece. I see the diagonal cut and it must glue together?

---

The corners are cut on an angle. The material is too wide for most mitre saws ( the most common saw used to make these cuts) so either you would have to take it to a cabinet maker who has a saw that can make the cut, Or use what is called a (quality) track saw. Before cutting the actual material I would practice making the cut on something else. The cuts are not for the faint hearted since the potential for making a mistake is high.

Quote:

---

Also the finish is it just floor boards or something similar which you put together than sand it a heck of a lot and give it a coat of varnish?

---

It depends what you are going to use it for but generally I would recommend something like a Tung oil for this sort of thing but just be a ware that it can darken some timbers.

search 'waterfall edges'. A current but waning trend in kitchens.

laminate the top and sides as one panel, cut a mitre joint on each end of the top then joint. the joint may need reinforcing inside out of view.

You may end up needing to flatten with a router sled after lamination unless your initial jointing is really good.

Make a little coffee table one as practice first perhaps?