Replies

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 03, 2006 11:25pm | #1

   I have a base just like you describe that I am working on now. I have seen similar pedastals in Woodwork magazine http://www.woodwork-mag.com/ and other woodworkers sites. I'll see if I can find issue numbers or give links to the sites I have seen. It may take awhile to jog the memory.

    

   Dale

   http://www.timberwerksstudio.com
1. 
   bufun | Aug 04, 2006 01:41pm | #2

   Thanks to Dale for the help. this piece is floating in my mind all day as I do other tasks. It will be of a book-mathced top of spalted maple and the feet, trunk and limbs more than likely walnut. Ive figured out the feet as far as member size,joinery and shaping, the limbs are pretty much comming into being, the trunk for the time is escaping me. However, recently an article, by Stuart Mortimer on design,pg28 WoodWork Oct2006 has opend up avenues that were not seen before.Hope this finds all in good workings.

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 04, 2006 10:52pm | #3

   Hopefully my copy arrives soon, I'd like to check that out. I'll look through my stuff this weekend and see if I can find something that may help you out. How large of a section (diameter) are you thinking?

   Dale http://www.timberwerksstudio.com

1. 
   bufun | Aug 06, 2006 02:04pm | #6

   Timberwerks, Pedestal diameter will be at least 4" and larger depending on the size of the table top. Single pedestal coffe and hall table will utilize the feet for balance, everthing will key of the top. Floating in my mind is going to a trestle. I have access to large members that would not be able to be utilized inother situations. Check Dales concept and work out. Its impressive.
   Timberwoks, its early and Iam half daft normally. Check out Keith Newtons workings. Its way out there, fine woodworing!

   Edited 8/6/2006 7:12 am ET by bufun

1. 
   Timberwerks | Aug 06, 2006 05:27pm | #7

   Hi Guy's

    

   That's nice work Keith. For other ideas check into Sam Maloofs work, try the Nov/Dec 1980 issue of FWW for starters, they show a couple of his table bases. I had a color article from another magazine showing the construction of a similar base, I just can't find it. I think it was from Popular Woodworking or maybe even American Woodworker, this would have been within the last 3 years.

   Dalehttp://www.timberwerksstudio.com

2. 
   KeithNewton | Aug 06, 2006 07:49am | #4

   I have been building a series of tables like you are describing for years. I refer to it as my arborescent series. I have probably done at least 20 versions of it. The joinery is pretty complex.

   Mine have four legs usually about 1 1/2" apart that are heavier at the bottom, and tapper in as the go up, then sweep out into the limbs, which are joined together with mitered bridle joints. I don't think I have to vocabulary to describe the joinery without photos, and I know that I don't have any in my digital files, and probably couldn't find them in a huge number of boxes of unorganized slides.

   I have been out running my sawmill all day in the heat, and handling a bunch of heavy green quarter-sawn white oak, and I feel like somebody pulled my plug, but here is a link to one of my tables that I later built a cabinet on top of. I sent some photos to FWW, but I don't know of they have ever used them.

   http://www.woodcentral.com/shots/shot728.shtml

   If you find this interesting, email me, and I will see if I can find some more to send to you larger images than the postage-stamp photos that this site limits.

1. 
   bufun | Aug 06, 2006 01:53pm | #5

   Wow! Some really impressive work and thank you for the access to the other site. Mine is going to be a more organic in the lines Feet to trunk and less complex in the joinery. Mortise and tenon an lap joints. really appreciate your advice and experience. Your work reenforces the design concept that I was recently exposed to that utilizes natue for inspiration. Thanks much