Afzelia (Doussie) Lamp Table – Viewer Project

This is an absolutely beautiful Asian-inspired table submitted by Bob:

The inspiration for this project came from two sources; my wife who loves Asian style furniture, artifacts and art, and a picture of a similar but taller plant stand done by Yeung Chan whom I met at a woodworking show. I had no plans, so, a la David Marks I built about 5 or 6 prototypes out of MDF until I got the proportions right. Believe it or not the hardest part was cutting the moulding around the top on my router table. I probably violated every safety rule in the book! The afzelia wanted to bow so the legs are all laminations of the solid wood. The top is plywood with radial veneer out of the afzelia which I said I cut under the tutelage of David. The legs are joined to the top with Domino loose tenons. The bottom stretchers are a tri lap which I had to teach myself how to do by reading Chan’s book over and over and then execute from poplar with my dado blade over and over until I got it right. They are joined to the legs with Dominoes also. Needless to say, I made a lot of jigs to get the Domino mortises in exactly the right places in the top and legs. The finish is good old Deft from a bunch of spray cans after sanding to 320 grit. I neglected to mention that the moulding miters are held tight by mini splines at the bottom.

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Comments

  1. AnthonyBklyn August 6, 2009

    Wow Bob! That is an amazing looking table, your wife must be proud. I love the unique structure and it’s fine detail, and then when I saw the top I was blow away. Fantastic job! Cheers!

  2. runningwood August 6, 2009

    Beautiful job, nicely done, how long did it take you ?

    Has she asked for a second one now for the other side of the couch ?

    • Bob August 6, 2009

      Thanks for all the nice comments. The construction and jig making took about 120 hours total. The photo set up is my own. I have a roll of seamless that hangs from the back end of the supports of one of my sectional garage doors. I just pull it down and light with 2 “hot lights” on umbrella stands. A tri-lap is cut using a dado blade and a 60 degree triangle attached to a panel sled with the point facing and just touching the kerf line. See Yueng Chan’s book, “Classic Joints with Power Tools” that I believe is still in print or go to William Ng’s Web site. You can Google him or ask Marc. I think that mark did an interview with him recently. I actually built the table almost 2 years ago and sent the pix to Marc 8 months ago or so, I hope this answers the questions.

  3. Blake August 6, 2009

    Fantastic job…. what exactly is a “tri-lap” joint? A quick google doesn’t turn up much, maybe I’m being too general.

  4. Dave Smith August 6, 2009

    That’s incredible Bob!! Great work.

  5. Being the technology geek that I am… I’m just as impressed with your studio lighting and backdrop for the photos. Is that your own setup?

  6. TJ71 August 6, 2009

    Top Job!

  7. Spud August 6, 2009

    Nice Bob! I really like how the top turned out. The way you off set the sunburst with the hexagon shape really looks good. It’s a really impressive peace.

  8. I love it! It is a beautiful design and well executed.

  9. Goldenleaf August 6, 2009

    Saw the original, very nice.

    This might turn into my dinnette

    thanks

  10. Shaun Harper August 6, 2009

    Dude you rock! Nice job….

  11. Lars Ã?â??hlin August 8, 2009

    Sweet design!
    Im very interested what kind of jigs you developed. I also own a Domino and im still learning how to get them “holes” aligned in both pieces…

    Can you post some pictures of the jigs?
    Maybe Mark can make a video on how he uses his Domino… ?

    BR
    //Lars – Sweden – Helsingborg – Domsten

  12. Vic Hubbard August 8, 2009

    very stunning, delicate table!

  13. Adam August 12, 2009

    Very well done! That tri lap is a very impressive joint. This must be a wonderful example of your craftsmanship.

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