And, a new coffee table!

If you're following this blog and keeping up on what's keeping me occupied in my spare time, you know all about my family, Camper family, the Docs, and my Logger family.  Well, two Christmas's ago Logger Family surprised me with a wonder gift - it was a large slab from a huge redwood burl that my Logger SIL had found years ago.  The slab is about 2" thick and quite long.  And, it's been sitting outside under my eaves for the past year and a half!!!  I wanted it to look spectacular when finished - with all the nooks and crannies left to enjoy.  

I spent considerable time cleaning out soft areas, bark that had grown inward, cracks, etc.  Then, using the router, flattened it, and then sanded and sanded and sanded until it was smooth as a baby's behind!  

Below are a couple of pictures as I was sanding.  I couldn't wait to see the color of the slab and doused it with mineral spirits!  Beautiful.

I wasn't sure about the legs I wanted to use, but knew that I didn't want anything that would take away from the beauty of the wood.  With a new interest in mid-century modern pieces I finally settled on steel hairpin legs.  Pictures below are of the finished table.  I used natural Watco oil for the finish wanting to achieve the same warm, rich tones as I saw with the mineral spirits.  I'm really happy with the final product.  

 It was like Christmas all over again as I worked on this table.

I'd be interested to hear from any woodworkers about how they might have handled the open nooks and crannies.  

Filled?  with Epoxy?  Colored Epoxy?  

Supported in anyway on the base of the table?

With what an how?    

My other pretty tables...

If you follow my posts you know how much fun I have in my garage, with all my tools, and all the lumber.  And, you know how much I like to build tables.  Big tables, small tables - doesn't matter, I like building them.  

Here're a couple of other tables I've recently built.

This one was built for a family friend.  Ultimately, it will hold a Christmas tree.  Until then, it will find a place in her home, and hopefully, be used well and loved!  

Nice solid top made from 2x fir material.  I planed each piece,
straightened the edges and joined each piece.  

It's finished with Minwax espresso stain.  It's dark and beautiful.  Then, it has layers and layers of rub-on polyurethane in a satin finish.

And, the pedestal is one of two that were on an old table purchased at a local thrift store.  

It's been finished in white chalk paint, distressed, and, again, layers of polyurethane in a matte finish.

The table is about 29" high, with a 28" top.  The circle was cut on my table saw - I love that circle cutting jig!  You get an circle that is 99% accurate!

Then, there's this little cutie.  I was recently gifted some amazing tools.  My neighbor had a Craftsman floor model drill press, floor model sander, and floor model band saw.  I wanted to try the new band saw and this little table was the perfect starter project!  

This is about 27" tall, and the top is 18" across. It's made entirely of 2x material.

The finish is Minwax espresso on the top.
The legs have been painted with white chalk paint and Annie Sloan dark wax.  

It's not perfect, but really cute.  I need to level up the legs a bit, but it's ready for a home, too.  I'm thinking it may take a ride up to northern California next time I head that way.  It just might be perfect in my granddaughter's room, right next to her reading chair.

Next project???  I think I'm going to make a tilt out trash can holder thingy that will also be making the trip north.