Compass Table - Finally!

[Bill Arnold]

Hi everyone!

I haven't been on the Forum in a while -- been busy trying to get my table ready to take to the Wood Works Show in Tampa. Yesterday (Friday, November 18) was the first day of the show, so I arrived early to deliver my table for judging. The Judges included Lee Grindinger, Don Weber, Harry Memelink and Geoffrey Noden. If I left out someone, I apologize. The judges liked my table enough to award me First Prize for it!

The base a frame for the top are claro walnut. Veneers on the top are wenge, tiger maple and bubinga. The underside of the top panel is covered with a four-panel match of cherry veneer. The column is slightly tapered inward from bottom to top and consists of eight pieces that are book-matched to retain good grain match. The apron was formed in my vacuum press with 1/8" thick claro walnut strips matched end-grain to end-grain for grain flow. The medallions mimic the pattern of the top. The feet are book-matched claro walnut with a 1/8" piece of wenge sandwiched between them.

Pre-catalyzed lacquer was used for the finish. I built up the finish with a couple of coats of clear gloss and top-coated it with satin. The top panel is rubbed out to be glassy smoothe, while the remainder of the table retains a more natural wood feel.

Attached are four photos taken at the show.

[Doug Shepard]

WOW! I'm not surprised you won 1st. That is truly stunning.

[Richard Wolf]

Great work Bill. I see why it got the blue ribbon.

Richard

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Fantastic work Bill! Looks like a blue ribbon from me too!

[David Wilson]

Verry impressive work. Looks like a first prize to me.

[tod evans]

may i repeat; very nice! tod

[Dan Oliphant]

Bill, that is stunning craftmanship, outstanding, and congratulations!!!

[Tom Hamilton]

Beautiful, a commission or a spec piece?

[Vaughn McMillan]

Absolutely gorgeous, Bill. No wonder you haven't been around, you've been very, very busy. Congrats on a well-deserved ribbon.

- Vaughn

[Jay Knoll]

Bill

I saw it in person and it is a great piece of work!

No luck on finding any creekers at either of the food concession stands.

Jay

[John Bailey]

Great table. Do you have any pictures of the process. Love to see how you put it together.

John

[Mark Singer]

Beautiful work Bill!

[Dick Parr]

Beautiful Job Bill! That is a great piece of work and Congrats on 1st place.

[Bill Arnold]

Beautiful, a commission or a spec piece?

Tom,

This is a spec piece, primarily done for 'practice'. Not that I haven't made a lot of sawdust already, but I wanted to combine some techniques in this table. There were a couple of inquiries from people who wanted to purchase it, but I'm hanging onto it to show at the Florida State Fair in February.

Regards,

[Bill Arnold]

Bill

I saw it in person and it is a great piece of work!

No luck on finding any creekers at either of the food concession stands.

Jay

Jay,

Thanks. I appreciate your comment. I'm sure you noticed the top needs more polishing, just like the judges did, but they were very positive about the overall design, techniques and finish. It was a bit humbling to be in the company of such guys as Lee Grindinger, Don Weber and Bill Hull, and hear their evaluation of my table. When they first started looking at my table on Friday morning, I hung back a little so I could hear what they were saying, then Lee turned and asked if it was mine. They had several questions about substrate, joinery, etc., and were very pleased with the processes I had used.

Now that you mention it, I should have worn my SMC cap to the show! There may have been a few others there, but I have no idea.

Regards,