Auction Table

[Jim Tobias]

Every 2 years the private school where I work as Facilties Director has an auction to raise funds for unfunded capital needs. I have always volunteered to build something and donate it to the auction. This is a huge event as they have silent and live auctions, drawings for all sorts of things and a dinner and entertainment to boot.
Anyway, I was working on this hall table up until the last minute trying to get enough coats of Target USL on it and dried so I could get the finish I wanted on it. As alwasy, I got it to them the day before the auction.
The table was mae form the following:
Legs - Honduran Mahogany
Feet on legs - Ebony
Aprons and frame of top - African Mahogany
Veneer panel on top is a 4 way bookmatch Yew Burl veneer wiht an ebony inlay surrounding it.
I finiished it with a a coat of shellac to pop the grain,put on a few coats of target water based filler (very easy to use, but does not fill on a single coat), and then about 8 coats of Target USL. This is the first time I have used their products and I found it to be very, very easy to spray right out of the can. I have not sprayed a lot of finishes in the past. A few deft spray cans here and there and a little poly. I had mostly used wipe on oil finsihes(Watco, Minwax Antique Oil, etc.)The target USL has changed the way I view spraying a finish. I have to admit, I was a little intimidated to jump into spraying. I was concerned about a very long learning curve and ruined projects, not to mention clean up. Well, this experience really cvhnaged all of that. Also, I am only a satisfied customer, not connected to Target in any way(other than sending them some of my money for their products).
Any and all design feedback(positive and negative) is appreciated.

Jim

[Jim Becker]

Simply beautiful! I hope it brings in what it is really worth at the auction, too...it's great work.

I feel the same way about USL and the other Target finish products. Good stuff.

[Bert Johansen]

Wow, Jim, that is a fantastic piece of heirloom furniture for whoever ends up with it. Hope they appreciate that incredible work that went into it. Thanks for sharing.

[Bob Rufener]

A really nice design and the booked top makes it very special. Should bring in a lot of bucks for the school.

[Victor Stearns]

Jim,
You Sir are very talented. And putting your gifts to good use by donating the table place you at the top of my list. Keep up the great work.
Victor

[Duncan Potter]

That is beeootiful.

Could you discuss adding the ebony feet to the legs. I have admired that look on several pieces but have never seen the process described. What substrate did you use under the veneer?

Stunning!

[Reed Wells]

Jeeze the layout and position of that veneer is beautiful. Great job!

[jim sauterer]

great job love the table.i hope they appreciate how much time and money that you have in this piece.hope it brings a lot of money for the cause.

[gary Zimmel]

Jim

Beautiful job on the table. I bet it will bring a high price at the auction..

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Simply fantastic! Whatever the winning bid was, it wasn't high enough.

[Jim Tobias]

Thanks for all the kind comments! The table brought in $475. I would have to sell it for more than that if I were selling it, but that's the beauty of a donation. Furniture is never a big seller at these auctions, but I have to do what I can do. I cannot donate a vacation home for a week or an auto or other goods or service so furniture or a box or jewelry case is what I give.
Duncan to answer your question --- I marked center on small blocks of ebony and the bottom of the legs and drilled 5/8" holes, then used oak dowels to put them together. Then to the bandsaw for cutting the tapered leg (on 2 inside faces). Then flush trim bit, then hand scrapers, then flex sanding strips (a la David Marks). Same on the aprons.
The substrate for the top is 1/2" BB ply. I usually use MDF, but did not have any 1/2", so used the BB.

Jim

[Greg Cole]

Hi Jim,
That came out VERY nice. The top is gorgeous and I like the accents of ebony in the "right" places.
Making me think I should get it in gear and finish up my hall table..... err my sisters soon to be table.

Well done sir.
Greg

[Jim Tobias]

Thanks Greg, the yew burl is really a gorgeous burl. I used the African Mahogany to tie in wiht the yew burl color, but wanted a contract to break it up and the ebony seemed to fit the bill.
I know what you mean by your comment... "Making me think I should get it in gear and finish up my hall table..... err my sisters soon to be table."
I have so many "close and extended family projects" that I could do this full time and still never get caught up.

Jim

[Martin Shupe]

Jim,

You hit a home run with that one.

What a beautiful table!

The only thing that disappoints me is the selling price. $475 is way too cheap!

Thanks for posting your beautiful table for all to see.

[Jim Tobias]

Thanks Martin. As for the selling price/bid, I would never make one of these for $475. However, as stated earlier, furniture items are typically not big sellers as they are cumbersome for people to "take home" and there are so many smaller items that are cash and carry. I am happy to report that we know the couple who bought it (my former vet and her husband) and they had a particular place in their house for it and seemed happy with the purchase.

Jim