After graduating from my medical residency my gift to myself was a pool table. Every pool table needs a pub table and I love playing chess so I tried to find one that would accommodate both. Couldn’t find what I wanted and I always wanted to learn how to make sawdust, so I bought a few cheap tools (have since upgraded immensely) and went to work.
This was my first project but I figured if I could cut a baby out of a mommies belly surely I could cut wood correctly. (By-the-way, a C-section is easier!)
There is no metal in the joinery. I cut the cross support profiles on my tiny band saw and the joined them with half laps and seated the cross supports into the pedestal. The legs are corbels which are doweled into place. I bought a pre-cut circle piece from Home Depot. I have since built a circle jig for my stationary router. I hollowed out the recess for the Travertine tiles by hand saying at the time it was therapeutic, not willing to admit to myself I didn’t know how to do it with a router!
The chess pieces are part of a collection. This set is from Prague. I have since learned a whole lot and look forward to a lifetime of woodworking.
Derek, great Job! I’m in the process of trying to put in a Back Bar in my basement. I just started buying the lumber. In the back of my mind I always pictured a neat pub table. Seeing yours has sealed it for me. Thank you. If it looks half as good as yours I’m going to be happy. I’m with S. Wellington, what are you plans now?
Nice Table, Great job for being a beginner. Your proportions look good and it fits with the chairs IMHO. Now that you have the wood itch, what are you going to build next? Please share when you do. Nice work!
Nice table!
For the record though, turn the table 90 degrees and reset the board. “White goes in the right corner”.
:P
Being the father of 2 children that were brought into this world via c-section, I appreciate the importance of cutting mommie’s bellies correctly. I can also appreciate your workmanship with your somewhat new hobby. Looks very nice.
(I went to Prague about 12 years ago…wish I had seen a chess set that looked like that. I ended up getting a wooden set.)
First of all, beautiful work!
How did you attach the tile? Is it glued to the wood or do you have to put some kind of cement board under it?
I love the comination of wood and stone, they always give a very elegant look!
Nice work Derek, it looks like a great first project. I love the chess pieces. I’ve often pondered, while working in the shop, whether building furniture was easier than performing a c-section! Thanks for putting my mind at ease. Looking forward to your next project.