I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The proportions of
the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will actually
be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14". We
looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top from
padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber to
make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon ebony
is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern, is
there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with that
much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a great
idea to me.

"Victor Frost" wrote in message
...
Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with that
much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a great
idea to me.

I can't remember if ebony is an oily wood or not. If it is, you'll have to
select any glues you use carefully.

Norm

"Victor Frost" wrote in message
...
Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with that
much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a great
idea to me.

My friend isn't what I'd call wealthy, but what he has, he doesn't mind
spending the money on. He has some specific design concerns here, so he's
willing to spend the money to get exactly what he wants.

todd

Todd,

Here's a few of my secret sources for exotics! I'm sure you can do much
better with about any of these sights. I'd bet by at least 1/2 ! Don't tell
anyone now, this is a secret! lol I've done business with all of them over
the years with much satisfaction.

http://www.gilmerwood.com/ , http://www.anexotichardwood.com/ ,
http://www.eisenbran.com/ , http://www.righteouswoods.net/

--
just more hot air! 8^)

Sherm
aka "cuesmith" in yahoo
Sherm Custom Billiard Cues by,
Sherman Adamson
3352 Nine Mile Rd., Cincinnati Ohio 45255
Shop (513)553-2172, Cell (513)509-9152
http://www.shermcue.com Over 20 years experience
almost a decade in "The American Cuemakers Association"
"todd" wrote in message
...
I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The proportions
of
the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will
actually
be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14". We
looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top
from
padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber to
make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon
ebony
is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern,
is
there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

"Norm Dresner" wrote in message
...
"Victor Frost" wrote in message
...
Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with
that
much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a
great
idea to me.

I can't remember if ebony is an oily wood or not. If it is, you'll have
to
select any glues you use carefully.

Norm

My copy of "The Complete Manual of Woodworking" does not denote ebony as an
oily wood, although it does mention that the workability is difficult. Does
anyone have experience working ebony and know the kinds of things to watch
for?

todd

You'll need a forklift to move it.

"Norm Dresner" wrote in message ...
"Victor Frost" wrote in message
...
Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with that
much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a great
idea to me.

I can't remember if ebony is an oily wood or not. If it is, you'll have to
select any glues you use carefully.

Norm

"Jeff" wrote in message
om...
You'll need a forklift to move it.

Well, you've got that right. I just added up the numbers, and the table
(not including the two drawers, will be right around 100 lbs. This is for a
60"Lx33"Wx14"H table. When it's all said and done, probably 2/3 of the
weight will be in the top.

todd

I haven't used a lot of ebony, but I have made a few pens on the lathe.
Ebony doesn't like heat - it will cause it to crack. When I make pens, I
have to go real slow especially with the sanding and drilling to avoid heat
build-up or I'll surely get a cracked pen.

Buy all your ebony at one place and one time. There are sublte shades of
black to dark brown - try to get it all out of the same tree.

Ebony may not be an "oily wood", but paduk sure is. I've had the best luck
with epoxy.

Double check your finish on some scrap (always good advice). Some woods
inhibit the drying of oil finishes (I don't know about oil and either ebony
or paduk).


"todd" wrote in message
...
I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The proportions
of
the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will
actually
be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14". We
looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top
from
padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber to
make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon
ebony
is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern,
is
there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

I need to wear a respirator when working with ebony. It's the only wood
I have problems with and I don't have any other allergies.

RB

todd wrote:
"Norm Dresner" wrote in message
...

"Victor Frost" wrote in message
...

Definitely will be sturdy enough. Envious that you know people with

that

much money to spend. Dream job. Bet it will be great. Looks like a

great

idea to me.

I can't remember if ebony is an oily wood or not. If it is, you'll have

to

select any glues you use carefully.

Norm


My copy of "The Complete Manual of Woodworking" does not denote ebony as an
oily wood, although it does mention that the workability is difficult. Does
anyone have experience working ebony and know the kinds of things to watch
for?

todd

I used padauk to make my front door a couple of years ago. I used
urethane (Gorilla glue or equivalent) and have had no problems.

RB

todd wrote:
I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The proportions of
the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will actually
be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14". We
looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top from
padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber to
make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon ebony
is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern, is
there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

I received another suggestion for Gorilla Glue from Steve Knight, so that's
what I'll be going with. Thanks for the input.

todd

"RB" wrote in message
...
I used padauk to make my front door a couple of years ago. I used
urethane (Gorilla glue or equivalent) and have had no problems.

RB

todd wrote:
I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The
proportions of
the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will
actually
be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14".
We
looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top
from
padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber
to
make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon
ebony
is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern,
is
there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

If you've never used Gorilla glue practice a bit first. It will expand
and flow out on your work over a period of perhaps 30 minutes if too
much is applied. In some situations I apply masking tape if I'm
concerned about glue flowing out onto the work.

Remember that the chemical reaction associated with the curing of
urethane requires water. I usually very slightly, emphasis on slightly,
dampen the surfaces to be joined.

RB

Todd Fatheree wrote:
I received another suggestion for Gorilla Glue from Steve Knight, so that's
what I'll be going with. Thanks for the input.

todd

"RB" wrote in message
...

I used padauk to make my front door a couple of years ago. I used
urethane (Gorilla glue or equivalent) and have had no problems.

RB

todd wrote:

I have a friend who wants me to build him another table. The

proportions of

the table would amount to a relatively large coffee table. It will

actually

be used for writing, but due to a back problem, he is most comfortable
sitting on the floor, which is why the table height will be about 14".

We

looked at lumber today, and he is really enamoured with making the top

from

padauk and the base from Gaboon ebony. He's aware that just the lumber

to

make the base will run somewhere around $800-900. Around here, Gaboon

ebony

is $112/BF. My question is: assuming money is not the greatest concern,

is

there anything inherently nuts about making a table base from ebony?

todd

Hence their slogan "damp it and clamp it"

RB wrote:

-SNIP-
Remember that the chemical reaction associated with the curing of
urethane requires water. I usually very slightly, emphasis on slightly,
dampen the surfaces to be joined.

RB

RB wrote in :

If you've never used Gorilla glue practice a bit first. It will
expand and flow out on your work over a period of perhaps 30 minutes
if too much is applied. In some situations I apply masking tape if
I'm concerned about glue flowing out onto the work.

Remember that the chemical reaction associated with the curing of
urethane requires water. I usually very slightly, emphasis on
slightly, dampen the surfaces to be joined.

RB


And wear latex/nitrile gloves, to keep this stuff off of your skin. It
stays for a week, before wearing off.

Otherwise, good stuff!

Patriarch

On Mon, 10 May 2004 23:20:54 -0400, RB wrote:

I need to wear a respirator when working with ebony. It's the only wood
I have problems with and I don't have any other allergies.

padouk makes some of the finest dust of most tropicals. it was a real battle to
get my dc to get it and keep it out of the air. so watch out.


--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.