-Nick
Jan 25th, '09, 22:12
Posts: 344
Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
My Handbuilt Tea Table
Hello all. As the title reads "handbuilt tea table"....I did just that. There is a small patch of bamboo that grows near my house so late last night I went there and cut down three stalks (about 6 foot each). Next, I brought them back to the house and headed out to the shed. I cut down the bamboo into relatively even pieces to use for the top of the table, then cut three support beams for the under side, four legs, and used one of the ends of the bamboo stalks to attach to the top of the table as a single flower vase. After I cut down all the bamboo....which took about 2 hours due to many of them splitting in the cutting process I took an pairing knife and widdled the outer skin off of the bamboo pieces. After this, I took a piece of foam and laid out the peices of bamboo one by one securing them with small metal pins as close to each succesive bamboo piece as possible. Then, I used gorilla glue (which I purposefully got the kind that foams and dries white to make it look similar to Hagi-yaki style) and glued the pieces together now that they were held in place by the pins. After drying I removed the pins and flipped over the now "top of the table" and added 3 support rods. 1 across the left side, 1 across the right side, and 1 straight down the middle. Than, I used the glue again and attached the legs and then finally, the singluar flower vase. All in all, it took a lot of time but, it is pretty neat, holds up well so far, and is a 1 of a kind! Here are some pictures:
-Nick
-Nick
Jan 25th, '09, 22:14
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Jan 25th, '09, 22:20
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Jan 25th, '09, 23:48
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horsencl
Jan 26th, '09, 00:23
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Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Thanks guys! I am considering trying to go bigger and maybe really making a project of it.....building one like 3.5 feet tall, 1.5 feet wide and with cabinets.......it is just amazing how much bamboo it takes to actually build it and amazing how time consuming it is....but it is a nice project and nice to have something you built with your own two hands. Thanks for the support!
-Nick
-Nick
What he said
Ditto on the advisory above on seasoning the wood.
Hope you have better luck than I did with the Gorilla Glue (for wood).
I've tried it three times, in repairing a irritatingly loose leg join to the seat of a highly carved and treasured wooden antique chair. Despite careful gluing and bracing, the offending joint refuses to stay put.
Pretty cool that you had the chutzpah to make the table yourself.
Hope you have better luck than I did with the Gorilla Glue (for wood).
I've tried it three times, in repairing a irritatingly loose leg join to the seat of a highly carved and treasured wooden antique chair. Despite careful gluing and bracing, the offending joint refuses to stay put.
Pretty cool that you had the chutzpah to make the table yourself.
Jan 27th, '09, 18:33
Posts: 155
Joined: Dec 21st, '08, 19:43
Location: Burke, VA
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JAS-eTea Guy
Great idea! I've seen professionally made bamboo tables done in that style (without being glued together), but think it's much more special to do your own project. I've converted an old desktop into a low table that I use, and also sand down old pieces of wood to use as tea trays as well.
You can lash the ends of the bamboo with a small cord to help prevent cracking. You might also think about lashing the top pieces to the side struts as well - use a black cord and it will contrast nicely with the bamboo.
When you're cutting the bamboo, cut just below a joint, and try to select canes that are at least 2-3 years old (if there's a white stripe around the joints and the canes are very green, they're too young).
Can't wait to see your next project!
You can lash the ends of the bamboo with a small cord to help prevent cracking. You might also think about lashing the top pieces to the side struts as well - use a black cord and it will contrast nicely with the bamboo.
When you're cutting the bamboo, cut just below a joint, and try to select canes that are at least 2-3 years old (if there's a white stripe around the joints and the canes are very green, they're too young).
Can't wait to see your next project!
"The meaning of life can be found in a good cup of tea."
Check out more Taiwan tea stories (with photos) at taiwanteaguy.com
Check out more Taiwan tea stories (with photos) at taiwanteaguy.com
Jan 28th, '09, 15:17
Posts: 344
Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Thanks Teaguy! I certainly look forward to doing more projects with bamboo....I am going to let the bamboo dry for about two weeks after I cut it and perhaps build a larger table with some cabinets.
Beercrofter----as far as the table being "fugly", that opinion is yours, and I respect it, but I was going for a "hagi" style look, having a white dripping effect to match the glaze on my Hagi teaware.
-Nick
Beercrofter----as far as the table being "fugly", that opinion is yours, and I respect it, but I was going for a "hagi" style look, having a white dripping effect to match the glaze on my Hagi teaware.
-Nick