In this project, Bruce A. Ulrich has created a stunning modern maple coffee table designed to complement a newly acquired mid-century styled sofa. With a mix of wood and metal, this coffee table is not only functional but also a beautiful piece of art for any living space.
Materials and Tools Needed
- 8/4 Maple boards
- Flat steel legs (from Industrial By Design)
- Wood glue
- Epoxy
- Walnut sawdust (for coloring epoxy)
- Polyurethane finish
- Painter’s tape
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Drill & impact driver
- Festool Domino
- Router
- Chisels
- Sander
- Card scraper
Step 1: Selecting the Wood
Bruce wanted a coffee table that matched the modern look of his sofa, so he decided to use maple. Initially, he considered a single slab of spalted maple but found it too expensive, opting instead to glue together several pieces for a more economical solution.
Step 2: Preparing the Boards
Once he had the maple boards, Bruce borrowed a Festool Domino from a neighbor to help align the pieces while gluing them together. After applying wood glue, he clamped the boards on both sides and ends to ensure they remained flat during the drying process.
Step 3: Cutting and Sanding
Bruce used painter’s tape to minimize chipping when cutting the boards. He marked back an inch and a half from his line to set the straight edge for his circular saw. Although he faced challenges with the saw’s performance, he managed to get a decent cut, though it required extensive sanding afterward to achieve a smooth surface.
Step 4: Adding Decorative Dutchmen
To enhance the table’s aesthetics, Bruce added Dutchmen (or bow ties) in walnut over some cracks in the wood. He initially planned for six but decided three larger ones would create a cleaner design. After cutting them out, he used a palm router to create the mortises for the Dutchmen.
Step 5: Inlaying the Dutchmen
To set the Dutchmen, Bruce mixed fine walnut sawdust into the epoxy, giving it a natural dark color. This mixture was poured into the mortises, and the Dutchmen were hammered into place, left to cure before sanding them flush with the tabletop.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
After sanding the tabletop, Bruce applied a simple polyurethane finish. He initially tried a mix of boiled linseed oil, polyurethane, and mineral spirits but found it blotchy on the maple. Switching to pure polyurethane, he achieved a smooth, even finish.
Step 7: Attaching the Legs
The legs for the coffee table were sourced from Industrial By Design, which Bruce highly recommends for their quality and quick shipping. He marked the placement of the legs with painter’s tape to ensure they were consistently positioned before securing them with screws and washers.
Step 8: Final Assembly
Once the legs were secured, Bruce was ready to remove the old coffee table and bring in his new creation. This modern maple coffee table not only matches his new sofa but adds a touch of elegance to the living room.
Conclusion
This project showcases Bruce A. Ulrich’s skills in woodworking and design, resulting in a beautiful piece that combines functionality with style.