I was asked to make a coffee table in American Cherry
that was of the same style and colour as existing furniture
in the house, also in American Cherry. The problem being,
that the supplier of the original furniture is unable to
provide additional furniture in the same style.
Photo 1: Above ... Finished coffee table (but not in
the customer's home).
General description
The table is made using conventional mortise and tennon joinery.
The top has been made by joining boards of cherry together.
The top is held to the frame using the traditional
method of buttons. A groove was cut on the inside faces of the rails
(see pictures 3&4 below) for the "buttons". Staff beading has been machined on the legs rails
and magazine rack frame to provide visual interest.
The
final colour was achieved using a combination of two water
based dyes and van dyke crystals. The trick was to achieve
the desired colour saturation which, when the oil went on
(see below) would then match the existing furniture. It took ages
to get the exact match. Fortunately I have written the
formula down should there ever be a repeat order!
The
customer requested a finish that would resist hot coffee
cups, water trapped under a vase of flowers etc. In
the unlikely event of damage, they also wanted to make
good easily and effectively. The choice of finish therefore
was Danish Oil . The grain was "filled" then
many coats of oil were applied (and frequently cut flat) in order to build up a deep
lustre.
Click each photo for a larger image
Photos 2,3 & 4 : Above........ Here you can see the table approaching
completion and the cherry wood in its natural "pinkish" colour.
A lovely close grained wood to work with.
Photo5 below.
Coffee table in in its new home. Matching furniture is just
out of shot.
