DIY Network

Sculpted Bowl Table: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-712

The design of the bowl table, with its subtle angles and curves, provides a stately and elegant appearance.

In this episode of DIY Wood Works, host David Marks creates "bowl table" out of solid maple. In this final segment, some finishing touches are added to the table, including a rich wood finish.

Materials used in this segment:

Flexible hand-saw
Hand plane
Hand scraper
Wood finish: tung oil, linseed oil and urethane
Paint brushes
Rags
0000-gauge steel wool

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions. When working with some sprays and chemicals, a respirator mask may be required. Always dispose of toxic chemicals responsibly.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Finishing Touches

• Once the glue has dried, and the legs are securely attached to the tabletop, use a flexible hand-saw to trim away the excess wood from the pernambuco wedges (figure A). The flexible saw is the ideal doing this type of flush-trim work. Apply pressure so that the blade bends flat.

• Remove any remaining excess wood from the wedges and tenons using a hand plane and hand scraper. The hand plane will take off the bulk of the remaining material to get it close to the surface. Then, using a hand scraper, flush it level to the surface (figure B).

• Sand the entire surface of the top to 120-grit, then 220 and, finally 320-grit.

• We opted for a wood-finish mixture of tung oil, linseed oil and urethane. Apply the finish with a brush, and wipe off the excess with a clean rag (figure C). This combination finish gives the highly figured grain pattern an almost three-dimensional appearance (figure D).

• Repeat the process, rubbing the finish with 0000-gauge steel wool between coats.

• Repeat the process until you are happy with the sheen of the finish.
  

  
  

Raw maple stock
Pernambuco stock for wedges
Plywood and MDF for jigs
Table saw
Jig saw
Band saw
Jointer
Power planer
Drum sander
Table router
Plunge router
Random orbital sander
Cordless drill
Brad nailer
Hand scraper
Gooseneck scraper
Hand plane
Spoke shave
Flexible hand saw
Sharp chisel
Pattern-maker's rasp
Wood moisture meter
Sandpaper
Clamps
Yellow woodworker's glue
Plastic resin-glue
Straight-edge
Carpenter's pencil
Chalk
Safety glasses or goggles

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

RESOURCES :

The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composite, Veneers
Model: 080836878
Author: Rick Peters
(2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com