Modern Coffee Table with Exotic Veneer | WoodWorks with David J. Marks, Season 2 Ep. 12

Summary

In this episode of *Woodworks*, David Marks demonstrates how to create a stunning coffee table featuring a Bubinga veneer top and maple legs. The project involves advanced woodworking techniques, including mortise and tenon joinery, shaping curved legs, and applying veneer using a vacuum press. With step-by-step instructions, viewers will learn how to craft intricate inlays, finish the table with tung oil, and use various tools like routers and sanders. The project highlights the beauty of exotic wood and offers tips on creating a contemporary, eye-catching design that will command attention in any home.

Takeaways

• 😀 The coffee table is made from maple with an exotic Bubinga wood veneer top, combining contrasting woods for a modern design.
• 😀 Techniques such as creating inlays, making contemporary curved legs, and using a vacuum press for veneer are featured in the project.
• 😀 The light-colored maple legs and apron are enhanced with simple curves and a delicate bead, providing a sense of depth and visual interest.
• 😀 Mortise and loose tenon joinery is used to securely attach the legs to the apron, ensuring durability and stability.
• 😀 The legs are shaped with templates and rough cut on the band saw, followed by hand finishing for a smooth, refined look.
• 😀 A vacuum press is used to apply Bubinga veneer to a plywood substrate, achieving a strong bond with over 1500 lbs of pressure per square foot.
• 😀 The veneer process requires careful handling to avoid cracks, and veneer tape is used to secure any imperfections during glue-up.
• 😀 The table's top is constructed with a plywood substrate, with mahogany veneer on the underside to maintain equilibrium and prevent warping.
• 😀 Ebony inlay is added to the apron using a plunge router, followed by carefully mitering the ebony strips to create a seamless inlay.
• 😀 The finished coffee table showcases the contrast between the natural beauty of Bubinga and the clean lines of the design, enhanced by a protective finish.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the project in the script?

The project focuses on building a modern coffee table with a maple base and a Bubinga veneer top, highlighting techniques like working with commercial veneers, inlays, and shaping contemporary curved legs.

What are the primary materials used in constructing the coffee table?

The coffee table is made with maple for the legs and apron, and an exotic Bubinga wood veneer for the tabletop, with ebony used for the inlay around the top.

What is the purpose of the beading on the aprons of the coffee table?

The beading on the aprons creates a pleasing shadow line that adds depth and visual interest to the coffee table, enhancing its design.

How are the aprons and beading attached together in the project?

The aprons and beading are attached using yellow glue, and clamped together on a flat surface to ensure that the beading stands proud above the apron as it dries.

What joinery technique is used for attaching the legs to the apron?

The legs are joined to the apron using mortise and loose tenon construction, with precise cuts for mortises and tenons to ensure a strong and accurate fit.

What is the method used to shape the curved legs of the coffee table?

The curved legs are shaped using templates and a band saw for rough cuts, followed by hand tools like a block plane and cabinet scraper for smoothing and refining the curves.

How is the veneer applied to the plywood substrate for the tabletop?

The veneer is applied using yellow glue, with Bubinga veneer on the top and mahogany veneer on the bottom. The sandwich is then pressed together in a vacuum press to ensure a strong bond.

What is the purpose of using veneer tape during the project?

Veneer tape is used to hold cracked or imperfect veneer together during the glue-up, preventing further damage and keeping the veneer aligned.

Why is it important to apply glue to both sides of the substrate when working with veneer?

Applying glue to both sides of the substrate helps to maintain equilibrium in the wood, preventing warping or other issues that might arise from uneven bonding.

What technique is used to add the ebony inlay to the coffee table?

The ebony inlay is added by first routing a channel along the edges of the apron, then cutting and fitting strips of gaboon ebony into the channel. The inlay is glued in place and the excess is scraped flush with the surface of the table.

How is the final finish applied to the coffee table to enhance the wood's appearance?

The coffee table is finished with tung oil, which enhances the depth and color of the wood, particularly the Bubinga veneer, and brings out its three-dimensional grain pattern.