better pictures of chestnut table

[Seamus]

Here are some more shots of the chestnut coffee table I posted the other day.

The top is unusually well figured for English chestnut and is two live edge pieces joined together with a greenheart spline and then simply finished with two coats of tung oil and a couple of paste wax coats.... my favorit "lazy" finish applied with my rotary car waxer, which has never been used on my car!

My wife wanted something "different" in terms of the table structure and design (she has this annoying habit of usually getting what she wants) and this is the result. It is completely stable even if it doesn't look it; my grandson regularly tests this out!

[wfahey]

That is a work of art Seamus. Amazing how women have that "power" over us isn't it?

[Seamus]

thanks again Bill! My wife said if ever the house catches fire she would remove that table before me! The Armada product for teak you mentioned earlier, can it be used externally?

[wfahey]

Here is the description and a photo of the can.

Armada Satin and high gloss wood finishes are a unique blend of oil and alkyd resin,with generous amounts of U.V. protection.The result is a beautiful honey brown translucent finish that closely resembles varnish.Armada goes on in three simple unsanded coats for either satin or gloss finish.Armada is microporous allowing the wood to breath so it won't crack or peel.

[rick7938]

Great looking table. Outstanding joint on top. Very hard to spot the joint. Was the English Chestnut imported or locally grown?

[Seamus]

Thanks Rick, the joint was actually pretty simple, I just routed out dados for a green heart spline (salvaged from sold old sea defense's) butted the joint , slapped some glue on and took It down with the belt sander, finishing off with a orbital to 220 grit. My wife really wanted something rustic, so I guess it works.

The chestnut was actually a large tree that grew in my garden in England that blown down in a big storm in October 1987. I had it milled by a friend who was amazed at the figure. I held onto the boards and brought them with me. I have several more 12-15' x 21/2" x 18" which I am going to make a big dining table with. Its been cut for over twenty years so is pretty dry!

I have some really amazing solid burr oak as well from the same storm that I just kept, knowing that one day I would get back into woodworking and make a family heirloom from them.

[Seamus]

Thanks Bill I managed to track some Armada down on line and will collcect it next time I visit the States! I can think of dozens of uses for it down here.

[wfahey]

Seamus, do you need to import all of your lumber into the islands? Forgive my ignorance, are there decent lumber yards there?

[Seamus]

Lumber yards? I wish We don't even have a proper supermarket. We have to import everything and pay 33% duty at landing. You can buy pressure treated lumber if your doing construction, but not hardwoods.

[Seamus]

The island I live on is 1.5 miles wide and 7 miles long, see attached! Since they built the cruise terminal in 2006 things have got better, but ironically it is easier to buy a diamond necklace from one of the many jewelery stores, than it is to buy a loaf of bread sometimes!