Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Kids Train Table Finish - pics

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181

    Kids Train Table Finish - pics

    Well...It ain't fine furniture, but a customer of mine wanted a kids table for his wooden model trains. Made from White Oak and stained Dark Walnut and finished with Semi-Gloss Poly. This project reminded me of just how much I dislike working with Poly as a clear topcoat. Table measures 36" by 50" and is 19" high. The legs fold and I got the folding brackets from Rockler.

    One thing to note....when you make a table with folding legs? It will NOT be rock steady. I worked it every way I could to take out the wobble. All my efforts with my "wobble eraser" failed. So I guess he'll just have a wobbly kids train table.

    Thanks for looking.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    991
    Unless the legs locked with a brace, I can't imagine them ever being very secure. The table looks good though. It should serve its function well.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Davenport, IA
    Posts
    78
    Dennis,

    Is that a solid wood top or plywood?

    Tim

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    414
    Great job Dennis, the finish on the table looks wonderful! Maybe you don't like working with poly, but you sure made it look good! My kids grew up before I started woodworking, and I remember buying a pressboard Brio train table that was a real hunk o' junk, and I know they would have loved something as nice as the one you made.

    I wonder if these would have made the legs any more stable?

    http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...35&cat=3,43586

    Nice project Dennis!
    "Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." -Henry David Thoreau

  5. #5
    Dennis - nice job on the table. I was thinking of doing a table like that myself, but now I'm worried about it being stable enough.

    This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181
    Quote Originally Posted by Tim Burke
    Dennis,

    Is that a solid wood top or plywood?

    Tim
    Tim,

    It's all solid lumber and heavy!!!!! It's what the customer wanted.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181
    Quote Originally Posted by John Buzzurro
    Dennis - nice job on the table. I was thinking of doing a table like that myself, but now I'm worried about it being stable enough.

    This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?
    John,
    I don't like "waiting" on Poly
    I don't like the little "bubbles" that poly develops during the drying process
    I don't like having to sand between every coat with Poly
    I don't like the way dry Poly sands
    (insert growning list here)......

    Other than that? It's a great finish.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Pritchard
    Great job Dennis, the finish on the table looks wonderful!
    I wonder if these would have made the legs any more stable?
    http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...35&cat=3,43586
    Nice project Dennis!
    Tom,

    Thanks for the kinds words. It took 4 days to get the Poly finish on. I almost went "stir crazy" around my shop. Apply finish and can't do ANYTHING in the shop due to dust control for the poly to dry as dust free as possible.

    Making the legs more sturdy? Ya mean like these? (pic below)
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,688
    Quote Originally Posted by John Buzzurro
    This is probably a dumb question, but I'm also curious about why you don't like working with poly?
    '

    Despite the fact that the marketers encourage you to slather polyurethane varnish on anything and everything, there are actually very few situations where the slightly increased abrasion and heat resistance properties that poly has are really necessary, if at all. There are so many nicer looking finishes, both oil-based and water-borne, and the latter, in particular are easier to work with and clean up after. The only thing I've built in recent years that has polyurethane on it is my kitchen table and even that was a tough call for me and I shared the same frustrations that Dennis did on his train table project.
    -----

    Speaking of which, Dennis! Nice job!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker
    '

    Despite the fact that the marketers encourage you to slather polyurethane varnish on anything and everything, there are actually very few situations where the slightly increased abrasion and heat resistance properties that poly has are really necessary, if at all. There are so many nicer looking finishes, both oil-based and water-borne, and the latter, in particular are easier to work with and clean up after. The only thing I've built in recent years that has polyurethane on it is my kitchen table and even that was a tough call for me and I shared the same frustrations that Dennis did on his train table project.
    -----

    Speaking of which, Dennis! Nice job!
    Thanks Jim....I knew somebody would jump in here with a better explaination.

    I prefer Shellac or Lacquer for my finishes. I have a customer wanting a kitchen table, so I'm going to go with Sherwin-Williams CAB Lacquer. I know it HAS to be sprayed, but is supposed to provide a really tough finish.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

  11. #11
    Dennis,

    Great functional table.

    Stability...

    I used the same folding brackets on a kids activity table. Though much smaller (~18" x 24"), it's seen 5+ years of hard kid use and has never tipped over nor have the brackets shown signs of failure.

    Poly...

    I actually enjoy it. However, I don't brush it on for the reasons you describe. I always wipe it on. Though it takes several more coats, drying time is quicker, airborne dust is less of a problem and the sanding in between goes pretty quick. My 2 cents.

    Good luck,
    -joe
    Illegitimi non carborundum

    "If you walk, just walk, if you sit, just sit, but whatever you do, don't wobble."
    -Zen Master Unmon

    To gain additional features, benefits and ad-free access to SMC
    CLICK --> http://www.sawmillcreek.org/donate.php

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,504
    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis Peacock
    John,
    I don't like "waiting" on Poly
    I don't like the little "bubbles" that poly develops during the drying process
    I don't like having to sand between every coat with Poly
    I don't like the way dry Poly sands
    (insert growning list here)......

    Other than that? It's a great finish.
    So.....Come on Dennis....Tell us how you really feel about Poly....

    BTW..Great kids table Dennis!
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  13. #13
    Looks great.
    I hate poly also.


Similar Threads

  1. Oak dining table (pics)
    By Brian Shutter in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 01-17-2006, 8:01 PM
  2. Table Top Finish
    By Rob Russell in forum Project Finishing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-04-2005, 4:23 PM
  3. Finished dining table pics
    By Kirk (KC) Constable in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-18-2005, 7:28 PM
  4. dining table with pics
    By Kent Parker in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 04-25-2005, 4:49 PM
  5. Finish for a poplar train table?
    By Matt Meiser in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 12-13-2004, 5:23 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •