Natural Light Color Conference Table
A law firm requested a medium size table for their new conference room. They wanted a natural light color wood and a 10 feet by 6 feet size. The other design specifications and materials were nil.
An unique opportunity to purchase about 100 board feet of sycamore provided the light colored wood. Sycamore is not a traditional primary furniture wood and it is often relegated to using as drawer parts or other secondary functions. This choice is unfortunate because when quarter sawn it reveals a wavy interlaced grain pattern. Although the natural beauty comes at the price of being prone to chipping during surface milling.
Quarter-sawn sycamore produces a interlock pattern
The table edges were doubled thickness (1.5 inches nominal) and were gently taper on the top and side and rounded on the bottom edge. The top has a slight arch on the four sides that intersect with rounded corners. The table sides sit on 3.5 inches four-sided tapered legs (floor to table top – 30 inches). The legs are set about 10 inches away from the side and 12 inches from the ends. This arrangement does not eliminate the dreaded “I got the leg” chair position but is makes it more bearable.The project is completed with a lacquer top coat.
The estimated weight of the top alone exceeds 200 pound and it took the manuevering of five people to get into place. Including the legs and aprons, the project required the entire 100 board feet purchase – only a few pieces of scrap remain.