Coffee Table Build

 

My brother picked up this old pool table frame a few years ago and decided it wasn't worth restoring.  I asked him to set it aside for me and I would make something out of it.  It looks to be American Chestnut as there are a few worm holes scattered throughout the pieces, but also could be White Oak.  I've always found it difficult to tell them apart.  As far back as I can remember I've hated purchasing wood for projects from specialty mills or big box stores, its just too expensive and if your not a big time cabinet maker they don't seem to treat you all that well.  Don't get me wrong, it would so nice to start a project with clear straight lumber but there is also joy in giving something a second chance.  I'm a scavenger from way back and kind of enjoy the struggle that comes along with working with recycled materials.  It's oddly satisfying.  I attribute a great deal of the satisfaction to knowing the materials were free or extremely cheap.  I decided to see if I can make a coffee table and end table out of this old frame.

I cut what were the two sides of the pool table down, jointed and ran they through the planer.  The final thickness is roughly 1.25".  They clean up nicely and will become the top to the coffee table.

Reclaimed Chestnut Table Top

My dad had an old Brunswick cast iron table base that had been sitting in our shop collecting dust for years.  I decided that it deserved a little better.  I contacted a guy who salvages wood for a living and came across some wormy chestnut that had come from a dismantled barn.  The wood was a perfect match for the table base and turned out great.

Brunswick Anniversary Install

Finally installed the Anniversary that I had been restoring for a while.  Ended up in its new home on Long Island NY.  Couldn't have been happier with the table and the new owners.   Thanks guys!

Firewood Rack

Needed a place to store some firewood so I came up with this.  Welded some square tube together and bolted some thick rough cut oak to it.  Worked out pretty well.

Scrap Steel Desk Lamp

I had some scrap round bar left over from the cue rack and decided to use the compact bender and see what I could come up with.  Its made from two pieces welded where the legs meet the vertical, bent a small piece of steel into a loop and welded it to the end for the cord to go through.  Wired up an Edison bulb to some cloth cord.  Next time I will move the legs down a little, it seems a little top heavy.

Wet Sanding

If you want a professional finish its imperative that you wet sand the orange peel out of the sanding sealer.  Makes the finish like a mirror.  Top tip.

Brunswick Centennial Install

Installed the Centennial this weekend in Delaware.  The most sought after table on the planet right now and its no wonder.  Designed by Donald Deskey for Brunswick.  Same guy who designed the interior of Radio City Music Hall. Killer.

Walnut MacBook Stand

Had some scrap walnut and decided to make a stand for the laptop.  Pretty simple but I like the blend of materials.

New Pony in the Stable

 Picked up a 69' CL350

Put some Firestones on it and am fitting an older tank.  Looks killer.

New Addition

This is the newest addition to the family.  His name is Mo.  He's a pretty rad little dude.

For Sale

 Well I finally broke down and listed my GSXR for sale.  This was the very first bike that I owned and I just don't ride it anymore.  Off to a new home it goes.

Grilling

 Some time ago I hit a deer with the truck and smashed the front end up pretty good.  I fixed everything but never got around to the grill.  Finally I made the metal pieces that fit inside the plastic grill section.

 Welded some threaded rod to the back to give me something to bolt to. 

 Painted it to match the truck and put a used bowtie on it.

High Gloss Black

My old man is working on a Brunswick Gold Crown for a guy and wanted to convert the corners and feet to a high gloss black instead of the silver.  He gave them to me to powder coat but I couldn't get the impurities to stop coming out of the metal.  I decided that I would shoot the with base/clear.  Need to wet sand them to get that orange peel out.  Hopefully they will look like a mirror when I'm done. 

Delivered Anniversary

Well I finally finished the Anniversary that I was working on.  My brother and I installed it this weekend in North Jersey for a customer.  The table looked spectacular in the purpose built room.  You'll have to excuse the junk photos.  I woke up at 5 am to install it and forgot the camera.

Anniversary Castings

Started polishing the corner castings.  There is some heavy pitting that I'm trying to work through but you have to remember this table is 75 years old, its going to have some character marks, thats part of the nostalgia.

Anniversary Legs Finished

Finished the legs last night.  The final step was to wrap the bottom with brushed aluminum.  Super pleased with the results.

Brunswick Centennial

My dad restored and sold this Brunswick Centennial.  I think these are the coolest tables ever made.

Anniversary Rail Sights

Drilling and putting the mother of pearl rail sights in.

Rusty Bolts

 Part of the restoration is taking the rusty old bolts and making them new again.  You could probably buy new bolts but I feel its important to retain as much of the original table as possible.  Plus it just seems like a waste to throw away perfectly good bolts. 

Legs

Worked on the Anniversary legs tonight.  The top shows what the legs look like after the skin of 1/8" wood and the bottom show the leg after the skin and the veneer.