This is my favorite part of every project: the end! As much as I love building projects, there’s just something about the day it leaves the shop that is so uplifting. Its like releasing a baby bird into the wilderness to take flight for the first time (or something equally poetic and meaningful)! Frankly, its a number of things, not the least of which is having a chance to clean up and start the next project, which I did. But before I show you the second project, let me throw down a few pictures of the trestle table.
Overall, I am very happy with the end result. The mahogany is rather light because its so new, but it will darken to a rich dark red over time. I’m in no rush so I didn’t use any stain. Some folks have already asked me, “Where do you put your legs???” Valid question, haha! Well, you may not be able to tell from the pictures, but when seated comfortably at the table, I have about 6″ between my knees and the cross-members. So no worries there. And I also thought ahead about my wife’s habit of putting her dirty little tootsies on things, so I went a little heavier with the finish on the cross-members.
This was definitely one of those “me” projects. That is, a project that aside from its original function, serves only to further my personal creativity. With The Wood Whisperer, I typically detour off into one area or another simply because I think it would be good for the show. Or I restrict myself in the tools I use because I want everyone to feel like they could make the project too. So its only once or twice a year, at best, that I get to design a project somewhat haphazardly “on the fly” and use whatever tools I think would be best for the job. As you’ll see in the upcoming video series, that’s exactly what I do. I think the last time I did this was in our End Table Series. So I was overdue.
After finishing up a big project like the Trestle Table, its always fun to do a quick simple project. So here’s a picture of Halloween ghost bowl I made from an Eagle America kit. The project took all of two days including building and finishing. So simple and so fun! If you are interested making a bowl like this, check out the Eagle America kits.
Yeah. Numero uno! You finished a project, I finished a college semester today. Hey, looks good bro. One thing, you know to finish something once you start it. There is something to be said about that, and when I figure out what it is I’ll say it. I am curious since someone asked about the leg room did you figure all that out in the prototype or did you “get lucky” in the end? We’ll all be curious to see this thing in future years of Wood Whisperer! Great job.
Thanks Frank! And congrats on finishing a Semester. As for the leg room, that was something I worked out with the prototype and nicole sitting in a chair. :)
That is a great looking desk except it is to clean. I wish you luck keeping it that way.
Very clean and elegant in its form. I’d like to see periodic updates (yearly?) to demonstrate the change in the mahogany’s color–a little before and after action!
Thanks Ben. In the later part of the video series, I will actually show you a project made with mahogany that is aged about 5 years already. AMAZING DIFFERENCE!!
Marc,
The custom trestle table came together very nicely. About a month or so from prototype to finish product? Anything you would have done differently? I’m sure you and the wife will enjoy a lifetime of pwning noobs from the comfort of your awesome new table.
Thanks Mike. About a month with interruptions like WIA and all the filming. So probably a two-week project in “real world” time.
It looks great, Marc. It would never work with my long legs, though. I think I’d either extend the table out, add a keyboard tray, or do something different with the stretchers/cross-members. But that’s me. I hope you and Nicole enjoy your gaming for a long time.
Marc,
that is a very sweet looking table and I think you just brought up the reason that I have shied away from organized woodworking, I usually start with a Drafted plan and yes I mean a plan drawn out in standard form using a drafting table and all the proper tools. But usually before I have made 3 cuts or glued up one board the plan has become simply a picture that I can scribble the current measurements and such on. Usually the project comes out looking something like the original drawn up idea, but now always. It seems most people can’t handle the idea that the first drawing is not going to be the conclusion.
One more thing. I went to the Eagle America site to check out those templates. I was disappointed to find they don’t show you the templates, just pictures of finished trays. I guess they don’t want anyone to copy from a picture of the template…or something. Maybe it’s just me, but I like to see what it is I’m going to get when I’m ordering something.
GRATS!
Looks great.
The table looks great Marc!!! I already watched the guild video and I want one! Any ideas on how to convert this into a desk with a pencil drawer? I’d love to hear them. I’m thinking about using a similar design to create an open desk, but how to hide the computer cords???? Great job!!
Its all possible. Just a question of how to do it elegantly. I haven’t gotten to the point of organizing my cords yet so I’ll let you know what I come up with.
Looks great, Marc! The transitions came out really well. I’ve got to hand it to Nicole, the simplicity is really nice. Is that a gentle curve on the outside edges of the top? I’m interested to see how you attached the legs to the top. I’m guessing dominoes. Keep up the awesomeness.
- Sean
Yup each side has a gentle curve. And the top is attached via screws in elongated holes. The video will cover all of that in pretty good detail.
Looks good man, now lets see it after a long weekend of Dr.Pepper, Cheeto’s, and WOW!
The table turned out fantastic! I really love the way the leg parts all blend into one smooth, fluid piece. I think old Sam would be proud. Good luck to you and Nicole in the gaming world. Can’t wait for next video on the table.
Marc,
The table looks great. I love the lines. The design makes me think of Maloof. What made you decided to you this type of design for a computer table? Hope you enjoy it for many many years.
yaakov….
I knew the table was definitely the next project. But I wasn’t sure what I wanted it to look like. Once I started looking at different types of tables, I realized a trestle table might be a good choice, if I could come up with a way to get the cross members away from the knees. And the idea was born. Then it was further influenced by a picture of a Maloof desk on the cover of Woodworker West. I wound up taking it in a very different direction, but that’s where the inspiration started.
Marc,
Absolutely gorgeous table. What struck me most of all, aside from the woodworking which was beautifuly executed, was the sculptural feel of the piece. I realize i may get a little artsy here, but you hit the nail on the head (pun intended) with this one. You have been able to capture IMO the potential for movement in a static piece. The legs with the curve underneath give a sense of walking. The angle of the pictures you took certainly help this view, at least in my apparently skewed vision. Thanks for showing this table, and thanks for rekindling the desire to create art not just function. At least until I get back in the shop anyway.
Than YOU Jeff. You put it very eloquently! I don’t really consider what I do art but I loved reading your perspective on it.
Marc, I love how the table came out, it really looks sleek. I especially like the curves on the “ankles.”
So how has it functioned now that you have had a chance to game on it for a few weeks. Has the design met all our functional expectations and needs ? Does Nicole like her foot rests ?
Well truthfully I just now got the desk in place. So I only played around with it last night for a few hours. Nicole is out of town right now so she hasn’t even seen it yet. Frankly, its awesome. Very comfortable and oodles of extra surface area. Much better suited for a desk we tend to spend a lot of our “relaxation” time at.
Sweet table, Marc. Really diggin’ the swept-back look of it. The grain, the finish…really goes. I also like the big radii?? in the corners…I think it gives it a real elegance. Congratulations.
Very sharp looking table, it turned our great. A piece to be proud of for years to come.
Thank you also for the pointer to the bowl templates at Eagle, hadn’t seen those before. They have some creative designs.
sorry meant to say – met all your functional expectations
Marc, looks very nice. What were your finishing steps? BLO followed by shellac with a topcoat?
Much simpler than that…. Just Arm-R-Seal satin.
Marc,
That table looks great! I love the mahogany. Sure hope you put some videos up about making it.
Yup we’ll have a three video series in November.
Hi Marc,
Nice work. How did you attach the table top to the legs to allow for expansion?
Just a few screws in elongated holes. I’ll show that process in the video.
Great job Marc,
The table has an interesting look, somewhere between tradition and animation art. Very appropriate for a gaming table. And as usual, your fit and finish is impeccable.
DD
saaaaaweeeet! I like the option of sitting at the ends just in case she catches you cheating and elbows you a little too hard. The double tressel looks nice and the added strength would work well if you ARE sitting at the ends of the table and she jumps across to give you another elbow for cheating AGAIN!!! Hope to see some videos on the leg construction and how you finished the large top.
Well she sits on my right for a reason. Her left arm is very weak so when she hits me its not that bad, :)
And the video will cover all the details. Expect it in November.
Looking great Marc. As always.
the table looks great…love the flow of the legs and the double cross members definitely give it a bit more substance which is great. the original proto legs definitely would have been too skinny, but as goldilocks would say ‘its just right!’ nice work, and can’t wait to see the video.
Thanks man. You’re right, the original legs would have looked ridiculous.
Table looks great just like all of your work. I am ready to start making a bowl as well. Any idea what type of wood it is they used on the ghost bowl on the Eagle America site?
I’m guess that in the bowl in the ad, the bottom layer is Ambrosia Maple and the other layers are Hard Maple.
I don’t, but I can certainly ask.
Just heard back from Eagle America. It was spalted maple as the base with regular maple on top.
Thanks! Looking forward to seeing the bowl episode!
So, who whacks their shins first, Marc or Nicole.
My money is on Marc.
My money is on one of them getting their foot stuck between the two cross members first!
Looks great! Very nice lines, and I like the less is more look!
Looks great Marc, and I really like the curved legs.
what a sweet table. The ghost bowl is really cool. It would be cool if you could do a video on it. I would like to make one but not really sure on how too.
Absolutely! That video should be out by Monday.
Great looking table Marc, is that a Razer Imperator? Looks like a great comp setup. Love to know how it works for your gaming.
Nope. Those are our Dog House Systems. They are killer machines!
Love, love, love this. The finish looks beautiful! Great piece.
I like the over all form and scale of this piece. Very light and contemporary with a great deal of functionality… a winner!
Wow! It looks great.
Okay, so I chided you on this earlier, but I commented in the wrong place. :)
When you said you and nicole were pretty avid gamers, I expected to see dual monitors on each machine mounted to ergonomic VESA wall mounts.
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen a gamer with only 1 monitor. :P
Really looks great Marc
Marc, I love the sculpted look.
Gives the impression of being very solid work, but not heavy.
You should be pleased. Great project.
Others have mentioned Maloof. Recently I watched a long series of him on a workshop stage chatting, giving presentations and actually doing lots of the shaping right there. Also just saw some clips and web site of New Zealand designer/woodworker, David Haig, whose best known work is a rocker, influenced by Maloof, but with his own take. I got to sit in one of those puppies this past summer. Me like. So your Gaming Table fits right in to my current raised bar of excellence. My own work is still in development mode (guess hopefully we all are), but a path is being revealed. Excellent work and inspiration for us all.
Marc, that table turnd out great!!
Can’t wait to see how it ages.
Love the look but would need some storage of some sort. Table top unit or suspended central drawer and maybe some keyboard pullouts, but that’s just me. Awesome the way it is.
Awesome table Marc! I love it when form and function come together to make an artistic statement. There is a lot of iridescence in that mahogany. If your finishing was as simple as you say you:
1. Chose some really GOOD mahogany
2. Prepped the heck out of it (like did you burnish it for example?or sand with 1200 grit?).
I look forward to the video. I have a desk I want to build and you may have just changed the design on me!
Dean
Hey Dean. The wood was in such a rough state that I can’t really even take any credit for selecting good boards. I did my best to pick based on what I could actually. I suppose my supplier just has good stock.
The surface was sanded to 180 and finished with a satin wiping varnish. And that was it. Can’t wait to see this piece age over time.
Phew… just in time for cataclysm. you guys are set.
I do like the look of mahogany. Was dithering between that and walnut for my next project. Have 80% of the walnut I need now (ie, just enough if I didn’t waste anything, but no surplus)… but am still second-guessing myself. I reclaimed some mahogany stair treads when a neighbor’s house got knocked down, and that was just great to work with for the few small projects I got out of it.
Matt
SWOAH!
turned out really nice!
I like the curves on the piece. Any recommendations on how to do that with hand tools?
Maybe a big old bowsaw and some spokeshaves and rasps?
The desk turned out great Marc, thanks for sharing so much of the process with us. I was in need of a computer desk a year or two ago and scaled down the mission table from your video series. I’m sitting at it right now as a matter of fact (so thanks for that too!). Was this your first trestle table build?
Thanks Derek. That was indeed my first.
I have a piece of Cuban mohogany with curled edges on both sides currently used in my office as a console table top. The patina is aging like cherry wood. It is a very attractive wood.
Marc, I think that you are astute with interpreting ideas and concepts people have, and making beautiful wood creations… Functional objects. I hope you continue to inspire, teach and learn. A bit of your soul goes into all you do.
Your loyal and long-time client, fan and conscientious (silent) observer and friend,
(ed)