The completed Demonstration Table is just over 14′ long
Yesterday I installed the top to my Demonstation Table for Shed. The table will spend the next year in Cindy’s studio warehouse in Healdsburg while the building is under construction nearby. By this time, the stickered wood comprising the base will be dry, and turned into auxiliary tabletops for the SHED cafe, to flank the Demonstration Table, which will be installed with a new batch of freshly milled wood when the building is ready.
The completed table is just over 14′ long, with a base of pecan, stickered to dry, and a top of solid sycamore, milled from a Sacramento street tree. For now, the top has ‘live’ edges, and varies in width from about 38″ to about 46″. We may decide to trim at least one of the edges square, but will explore scenarios around the table before a decision is made. Next, I will finish the sycamore top in situ, with multiple coats of a durable, non-toxic polymer made from whey, a by-product of cheese manufacturing.
To read more about the details, process and background behind my Demonstration Table for Shed, please click here.
the sapwood of sycamore has a lovely, lacey pattern
I inlaid an 8″ ‘butterfly key’ to keep a check from growing at the base of the slab.
Scott, I love this idea! Functionally it is great that you’re using the parent wood to incubate future projects, but I’m excited mostly because you’ve brought an important aspect of furniture production into the lives of anyone who uses the table while in this state. Kudos.
Thanks, Peter! Always great to hear from you! So glad you like the concept. I’m looking forward to doing a series of these.. Stay tuned..
Hello,
I am looking for someone that can help me with a recipe for creating my own wood table top. I recently found a patio table with a wicker top that is just turning to dust. The bottom is cast iron and wonderful! I am a publisher of a local paper and have a few “Tree Guys” advertising with me. I asked one if he would save me a cross section of a tree trunk to create a new table top for the base and I was amazed that he said “No problem, lots of people ask me to do that. I will need the diameter and wood type of your choice. When I come across the right tree I will give you a call.” I have never worked with wood but enjoy working with my hands and am a very patient person. From what I read here I will need to dry the wood before I process the wood for a table top. Thanks for your time. Kim
Hi Kim- Thanks for getting in touch. I grew up in Drexel Hill and Newtown Square, so am aquainted with your publication. If you’re interested in making your own table top it sounds like you’re on the right track, and I’m sure you can source some beautiful wood from the Delaware Valley. I’d be happy to talk you through the process but it may be more efficient over the phone. If you’d like to talk, you can reach me on my cell at 510-604-9588. Best, Scott