Replies

1. 
   tom77 | Mar 03, 2008 10:15pm | #1

   Catalogs from stores like Pottery Barn are great sources of ideas.

   Good luck, Tom.

2. 
   MBerger | Mar 04, 2008 03:55pm | #2

   Our site is pretty full of design examples and project plans. The "Gallery" tab above features more than 2000 photos of furniture submitted by readers and contributors. Click on the "Table" category link in the Gallery and you can browse images page by page. You can find project plans by clicking on the "Projects" tab above and browsing to the "Table" category.

   The previous post was a great idea, too. I love to window shop at galleries and furniture stores in search of design ideas. I try to sketch out any idea that comes to mind and then refine my sketches into real projects.

   With a little more detail about your poplar board, the group here might be able to direct you to a few moe specific ideas. Finally, I'll plug a fun table project I documented in our editors blog. It was made from a single birch rough-sawn board...

   LINK: http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=fw-editorsblog&entry=239

   Mat

1. 
   jerry34 | Mar 04, 2008 04:24pm | #3

   The Poplar is cut at the base approximately 24"  diameter with the bark still on. Do I try to keep the bark or will it fall off once I start to level the board? 

1. 
   MBerger | Mar 04, 2008 05:25pm | #4

   Are you saying this is still in log form with a 24-in. diam.? Or can you tell me the thickness, width and length of the board. Sorry. Just trying to clarify so I can better answer your question.

   As for bark on fresh-cut wood. If you want to peel off the bark without ruining the natural edge of the wood, it's best to do that soon after the wood is cut and in the spring or early summer seasons. You can read why in this article. If the bark stays on too long, it is difficult to peel off without pulling chunks out of the wood. It is possible though, as illustrated here. If you decide to leave the bark on for a real natural edge (some people are into that) you'll want to keep it dust free by blowing it down with compressed air regularly, and finish it with a spray of poly or varnish in a dust-free environment.

   - Matt

   Edited 3/4/2008 9:26 am ET by MBerger

1. 
   jerry34 | Mar 04, 2008 05:40pm | #5

   When the tree was taken down, I had two 1 1/2 thick cuts across the diameter of the tree. the diameter is 24" x 1 1/2 thick with the bark still on. The circles or ovals have been drying for about 16 months and have no cracks or splits that I can see.

1. 
   MBerger | Mar 04, 2008 09:01pm | #6

   AH! Makes sense. Your concern over splitting and checking is the right one. The slower the slabs dries, the less likely it is to split and distort. But those are real concerns because the grain orientation makes this a highly unstable piece of wood. I'd continue on with the drying process a little longer until it falls to a 8 or 9 percent moisture content.

   I've seen outdoor rustic furniture made from slabs of wood like yours (though mainly out of cedar and redwood). But if you're aiming for a finer design I can't say I've seen too many designs. Here are a few ideas off the top of my head: 

   1. Join the legs to the table with tapered round mortise and tenons similar to the leg assembly on Windsor chair.

   2. Create an apron and leg assembly that matches the odd circumference of the table

   That's all I've got for now.

   Matt

2. 
   jerry34 | Mar 04, 2008 10:16pm | #7

   I was thinking of making a small indoor coffee table. Thanks for your advice and insight. much appreciated