The Occasional Table. . . it sounds like the title of a novel or movie, like ""The Accidental Anarchist". This woodworking adventure began when I received a commission to build a small round folding table to match one the client already owned. I was thrilled to take up this challenge because the table is delightful; with its subtly curved legs. The project offers a lot of things to be interested in but there is also a definite risk that it might turn out as a poor imitation of the original. So if this blog goes silent, you will know that things are not going well.
The original
The client sent some good photos of the original, but only a few basic dimensions; 42.5cm diameter and 53cm high. I tried to make a drawing based on the photos and dimensions, but there was enough uncertainty that I decided to make a mockup out of inexpensive pine before attempting the actual table. The subtle curvature of the legs was difficult to get right; by looking at the photos I couldn't figure where the curve reverses.
A mock up
As you can see, it does not look right, kind of bandy-legged, and too curvey. So I asked for more measurements from the original. Once I received those, the drawing began to make more sense.
I wasn't sure what wood the original table is made from, it could be oak, but when I showed the photo to the guy in the woodstore, he thought it could be walnut. The client confirmed that it didn't need to match. I was very excited to find a great piece of walnut in the woodstore.
It's a very exciting part of woodworking to combine the hard dimensions of the concept design with the natural qualities inherent in a piece of wood. This piece of walnut has beautiful figure created by the grain and the cut that gives the appearance of little ripples even though the surface is flat.