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Woodshop Library

Bow-ties
Breadboards
Butcher Block
Cable Channel Box
Care & Maintenance
Drawer Knobs
Edge Profiles
Epoxy Fill
Epoxy Fill Options
Finishes
Finishes - Metal
Grommets
Mortise & Tenon
Saw Marks
Shou Sugi Ban
Table Height
Table Shape
Wood Grain
Wood Inlays

Care & Maintenance (Oils & Waxes)

How Often?

For First 2 Months: Twice/Month
For first Year: Once/Month
After First Year: Once/3-4 Months (or as needed)

Soft oil finishes on wooden furniture direct from the woodshop need to build up a strong layer of protection over time. Extra care and maintenance early on will set you up for a fantastic piece of furniture for years to come.

Steps:

  1. Scuff entire surface with fine steel wool (grade #0000) with the grain of the wood.
  2. Apply a thin coat of oil/wax blend with a lint free cloth*
  3. After 60 mins. wipe excess oil with clean cloth and buff*

*Avoid spontaneous combustion by soaking oily rags in water and place in a sealed container.

Tips:

If the surface feels sticky:
You may have applied too much oil or too often. Simply scruff surface again (step 1) and rebuff (step 3).

If the surface feels dry:
It may be time to apply another coat of the oil/wax blend.

Everyday maintenance:
Use mild soap and water on a damp cloth to wipe up after meals and daily spills.

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Breadboards

What:

Breadboard ends are narrow pieces of wood at each end of the table. They are permanently affixed and within your overall dimensions. Although they are mostly aesthetic, they do add some structure and stability. It should be noted that your table will expand/swell and contract/shrink seasonally and thus the breadboards may stick out slightly, up to .25″ inch (typically in the winter months). Please avoid breadboard ends if this may not appeal to you.

Why:

Wood is a living breathing material and will naturally expand and contract. Breadboards work with the nature of the wood, helping the table remain flat while allowing the wood to shrink and expand without risking cracking or splitting.

Where:

Breadboards can be added for additional support and design to any of our tables.

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Wood Grain

How the wood is cut determines the grain and the strength and integrity of the final piece.

Types of wood cuts:

Flat-Sawn (plainsawn)

  • Features unique cathedral pattern peaks of wood grain.
  • Fastest to produce, most affordable, and produces minimal waste.
  • Has some structural drawbacks due to tangential grain.

Quarter-Sawn

  • Grain pattern appears straight, and beautiful ribbing or flecking present in white oak and red oak.
  • More expensive than flat-sawn as labor is more intensive and produces more waste.
  • Structurally more stable than flat-sawn, less likely to cup and warp, and more resistant to water.

Rift-Sawn

  • Used for applications that require straight-lined linear grain throughout entire piece.
  • Most expensive cut of wood as this is a time consuming process that produces the most amount of waste.
  • Ideal for custom furniture, and the most dimensionally stable cut of lumber.
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Mortise and Tenon

Superior Strength, Stability, and Style

Similar to the human body, a table will feel most stressors on its joints. A well designed mortise and tenon joint is simple and strong defense against any stressor your table will experience. Such stressors to the table may include getting pushed/kicked around, sat upon, leaned against. To add to this, there is natural movement from the expansion and contraction of the wood. All of this requires a strong leg-to-apron joint design that will hold the integrity of the table.

An Ancient Technique:

  • Used by woodworkers dating back over 7,000 years.
  • Found in the world’s oldest intact architecture.
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Table Edge Profiles

Soft Finish (oil/wax) vs Hard Finish (varnish)

Standard Oil

Soft natural finish made from a mix of linseed oil and wax.

Allows the characteristics of the wood to show through while providing a beautiful natural sheen and additional protection against liquids.

Maintenance
Mild soap and water for everyday maintenance. Needs several reapplications of the oil/wax blend in order to build a strong layer of protection.

Varnish

Environmentally friendly water-based hard finish.

Strong against scratches and dings. Standard varnish is low/matte 5 sheen finish. Higher sheen is available on request (40 or 60 sheen), providing a glossier finish.

Stains
Note; all stains are coated with a varnish.

Maintenance
Mild soap and water for everyday maintenance. If you would like to use an off-the-shelf cleaning product, we recommend non-toxic, natural cleaners such as Murphy’s Oil. Varnish does not require reapplication.

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Metal Finishes

Satin Black

(Powder Coated)

High Gloss Black

(Powder Coated)

Silver 

(Powder Coated)

Hammered Silver

(Powder Coated)

White 

(Powder Coated)

Bronze Chrome

(Powder Coated)

Weathered Brown

(Powder Coated)

Antique Bronze

(Powder Coated)

Raw Metal

(Clear Finish – Not Powder Coated)

Polished Aluminum

(Powder Coated)

Miners Brass

(Powder Coated)

Highlander Bronze

(Powder Coated)

Copper Patina

(Powder Coated)

Reddish  Brown

(Clear Finish – Not Powder Coated)

Rainbow Steel

(Clear Finish – Not Powder Coated)

Industrial Bronze

(Powder Coated)

Monaco Copper

(Powder Coated)

Table Shape

*Only straight at the sides
*Straight at the sides, and at the heads
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Shou Sugi Ban

Ancient Japanese wood preservation technique

Process

  • Wood is torched, cooled, brushes, and finished with either Danish Oil or Varnish.
  • Charring process creates a layer of carbon that renders the wood impervious to the elements.

Benefits

  • Resilient to rot, decay, fire, and insects.
  • Withstands the test of time and can last generations.
  • Repels water and requires less maintenance and less oiling.
  • Creates a rich in character, unique patina.

Wood Examples

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Grommets

Desk Grommet
Flexible Desk Grommet
Power Grommet with USB 
Brass Power Outlet 

Cable Channel Box

Allow easy access to electrical components and wiring. Keep tour table top organized, clean, and free of clutter.

Additional Info:
Typical size is a 5″ wide top and 6-7″ wide box.

Customizable options include a laser engraved or inlayed logo.

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Epoxy Fill Options

Black
Amber
Clear

Epoxy Fill

Rough Cut Saw Marks

Various levels of saw marks can be left in for texture, and/or patina. Saw marks can be left in for any type of wood. A great way to leave in a bit of rustic character.

Light Saw Marks

Heavy Saw Marks

*Please note heavy saw marks requires groove between woodboard seams.

Butcher Block vs End Grain

Walnut Butcher Block 
Walnut End Grain 

Bow-ties, Butterflies, and Dog Bones

Not only can bow-ties/butterflies, and dog bones prevent cracks from spreading, they are an aesthetically pleasing focal point.

Walnut Bow-ties on Maple

Maple Bow-tie on Walnut

Bronze, Silver, Gold + More 

Wood Inlays

An addition of material that can aid in securing and supporting a natural crack in the wood surface. An inlay can be added where there may be natural splits in the wood to keep the wood together .

Inlay on white oak
Inlay on white oak
Inlay on reclaimed oak
walnut inlay on walnut

Drawer Knob Options

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)

Table Height Guide (standard)

Bench (18-19″h) | Table (30″h)
Counter (36″h)
Bar (42″h)

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Explore Table Collection

Browse through over 90 table design combinations, taking inspiration from some of our trestle tables, round tables, oval tables, conference tables, tables with metal work, live edge tables, stained or painted bases, turned legs, tapered legs, or straight legs. These are only examples, you are welcome to create your own unique table; just let us know what you are thinking.

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Explore Bench Collection

Match your table up with a bench that compliments your table’s character, wood, and style. Casual bench seating is flexible, kid-friendly, and often easier on the budget than multiple chairs.

These are only examples, you are welcome to create your own unique style; just let us know what you are thinking.

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