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Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 01:42:08 pm

Title: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 01:42:08 pm

Hey all,

Well, I'm going to get ---my bottom--- back into the shop and start a new project.  A pinball coffee table:
http://forum.okcoin-op.com/index.php?topic=1113.0 (http://forum.okcoin-op.com/index.php?topic=1113.0)
I'm really not a big woodworking man so I'm not sure about what wood I should look into using.  What would you all recommend for a wood newb?  I was thinking about making a template first then using a better mood for the final version.  Any ideas?

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: HaRuMaN on April 09, 2010, 01:45:06 pm

For a piece of furniture, probably a nice hardwood, maybe an oak?  Stay away from soft wood like pine.

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 02:20:57 pm

This guy was using oak but I wasn't sure if there was a difficulty level with that.  Why is soft wood no good?  Does it bow over time?

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: HaRuMaN on April 09, 2010, 02:21:30 pm

Quote from: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 02:20:57 pm

This guy was using oak but I wasn't sure if there was a difficulty level with that.  Why is soft wood no good?  Does it bow over time?

It's very easy to nick, dent, etc.  

For example, you can take your fingernail and press it in to damage pine.

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 03:01:54 pm

Ahhh so it sucks on the wear and tear.  Got it.

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: javeryh on April 09, 2010, 03:03:58 pm

You could always seal it with some poly on top though to give it a harder "shell".  If you are using hardwood, a nice coat of tung oil will really make it pop.

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 03:58:45 pm

Um what I meant to say was
Sweet!

Thanks for the advice. I'll be back with more questions

Title: Re: Coffee Table wood?
Post by: HaRuMaN on April 09, 2010, 04:00:04 pm

Quote from: Trebeck on April 09, 2010, 03:58:45 pm

So it's a good thing I never play games on it?
* sigh *  Sony used to be awesome...

Wot?