Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Sep 17, 2003 04:37pm | #1

   I'm not sure what you are asking, are you trying to make a top that "flares" or, as is more likely, you are trying to avoid the effect. 

   By flaring do you mean what is also called cupping or bowing, where the top develops a rippled surface or a larger overall curve instead of staying flat as originally made?

   John W. 

1. 
   3fingers | Sep 18, 2003 07:28pm | #2

   13886.3 in reply to 13886.2 

   Not cupping or any other effect the wood takes on.  But,  after planing and flatening the board.  Adding a decritive look that the cornor would flare or curl up.  Making it look as the cornor of the tabletop was shaped that way. 

   See the attachment.  this table seems to be vaneered i'm asking about soild wood.  not as drastic of a curl just a flare.

   
1. 
   JohnWW | Sep 18, 2003 08:38pm | #3

   Oh....Well at this point you probably aren't talking to the right guy anymore.  I haven't done anything like that, but I would guess that the piece in the picture was laminated over a form.

   For a slight rise in the corner, you could carve out the table top like a chair seat.  To save wood you could just build up the corners of the table with glued on blocks, that could be carved to shape but the glue line would be prominent.

   John W. 

2. 
   DonC | Sep 18, 2003 10:49pm | #4

   I think you are right about it being veenered. They probably started with bending plywood or did the lay-up from scratch and used a vacuum bag over a form.

   I also have seen much more subtle flaring on ends of tables and it is very very appealing. I too have often wondered how they did it. My first thought was, they must have started out with a very thick slab and removed most of the surface with a router, either overhead or blocked up on a router table. Seems like such a waste of precious wood. Then I wondered if maybe just the end was steamed and then clamped to form a slight curve.

   Anyway, I agree, I just love the look of these flared table tops with a slight and subtle flair. Your eye picks it up immediately and the question,"How was it done." comes to mind.

   Hopefully you and I will be enlightened.

   Don

1. 
   davamoore | Sep 19, 2003 03:50pm | #5

   Don, one method of achieving a slight flare at the corners, ends or back of a tabletop is to first make the top slightly overlarge.  Then, cut a small strip off the end or side of the piece, flip it over onto the top (as if it had been originally attached to the main part of the top with a hinge), glue it down and then sculpt, carve or pare away to achieve the desired effect.

   This wastes much less wood than if you started with a thick block and then sculpted away all the parts you didn't want.  And done right, with a little planning, the glueline, if visible at all, can look like grain or a growth ring.

   David

   "The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

   Edited 9/19/2003 8:51:58 AM ET by davamoore

1. 
   3fingers | Sep 20, 2003 06:58am | #7

   Thanks for the help.  That seems to be the right technique.  But how would i conseal the glue line and match the grain if i flared it upward.  I see that would work well if flared down under the top of the table.

2. 
   davamoore | Sep 22, 2003 10:54pm | #8

   No problem... lots of big "ifs" in my answer, though:

   The visibility of the glue line has a lot to do with the species, cut of the wood (quartersawn vs. flatsawn), grain direction, where you make the cut for the piece that you'll be flipping up (e.g., end of a plank or from the back "side"), the type of glue you choose to use, the shape and position of the flare, etc.

   Also, in some cases you may be planning to stain or paint a piece, or create some other type of surface decoration, so the glue line wouldn't be nearly as noticeable, if at all.

   So, the recommended method would vary accordingly -- and this answer is anything but helpful.

   David"The world that was not made is not won by what is done" -- Mundaka Upanishad

3. 
   joker | Sep 20, 2003 01:53am | #6

   That is a table made by Greg Zall. If you go to his web site he has a detailed picture of that corner. In it you will see the veneers that make up the top.

   You may be able to contact him for some help or information or any graduates from the College of the Redwoods would be able to shed some light on the subject.