Walnut coffee table with bridle joints everywhere

[andrew whicker]

Finishing up my coffee table. I took way too long, but really enjoyed pushing myself on the project. It didn't glue up like I wish it did (glue dries fast in Northern Utah. Who would have thought?). Still, I'm overall happy with the design and execution.

Criticism welcome. This is my first wooden coffee table. I got some really great advice on this site and I want to thank the people that chimed in!
Tenon jig
Dado blade
Chisels
Shoulder Plane

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First coat of tung oil:

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[Adam Herman]

I love the compound angle double. very cool.

in college, in a scene design and construction class, we had to build an open cube with 2 x 2 wood and have a different joint at each corner, this reminds me of that project.

[andrew whicker]

Thanks man



What did you go to school for and where? I'm setting up some stuff in my life (rental property / vacation rentals) so that I have enough extra income to take on an apprenticeship or go to design / furniture building school. It wouldn't be a high income life by any means, but I could at least live a little.

[Adam Herman]

I went to Michigan Tech University for Mechanical Engineering. My minor is Technical Theater. Sound, Lights, Rigging, stage design and that sort of thing. I may look at a place like Kendall college of art and design for Furniture. I am not sure what would be around in the west.

[Von Bickley]

The table is not my style, but I see Great Craftsmanship. I get dizzy thinking about all those angles.

[andrew whicker]

Yeah, I'm torn on the style. Sometimes I love it, other times I'm Meh..

The angles are insane, but it was fun to figure out how to make them.

[Tom Bain]

Nice work on the complicated joinery. For the glue up(s) did you use regular PVA glue? If I need more working time for complicated glue ups, plastic resin glue is a good way to go.

[andrew whicker]

I used Elmers to try to get more time. Still wasn't enough.. I'll try something like that next time. Here it is after 3 coats of tung oil. I'm not a photographer and the phone keeps taking yellowish looking photos to me. Anyway, it's getting close!


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[Tom Bain]

Definitely try the plastic resin glue (Unibond 800 is my go to). It will give you 30-45 minutes of open time, compared to probably only 10 minutes max for Elmers in your climate. Recommend using a mask when mixing it as to avoid breathing the powdered hardener.

[Cody Pierce]

That's really great. I love the big bridle joints!

[William Fretwell]

Like it a lot, very interesting piece. Very skillful indeed.