Bistro Update

No pictures today, but I have finished the final sanding of the bistro table. All of the corners have been rounded over and the table is now ready to be finished.

I have practiced my finishing method for the table:
1) shellac - applied to seal the knots to prevent them from bleeding through the paint
2) 1st coat of primer
3) wood filler - to fill any imperfections that become visible after the 1st coat of primer is applied
4) 2nd coat of primer
5, 6 & 7) coat of exterior white latex - a light sanding will be done with 220 grit sandpaper after step 5 and 6.

I'll post pictures again after the shellac has been applied and then again when the table is completed.

1st Contest Entry

I've entered the Bistro Table in the LumberJocks Summer 2007 contest!

This years contest has two categories

garden projects and wood joinery.

With this table project, I've had a concern over how I wanted to attach the top. Considering the top is 36" square, I knew it was going to need a system that allowed the top to be removable (if only to get the table out of the dungeon!).

After some pondering, I came up with a solution that allows for a tool-free removal of the top. Here are a couple pictures of how I achieved that.



so basically what happens, is the top is put on a little off center and is then pushed forward so the little buttons on the underside of the top lock on the little tenons that are attached to the frame. With this solution, I've entered the table in the Wood Joinery category of the LumberJocks contest. The contest runs through the month of July and the winners will be announced after the voting in early August.

Wish me luck!