jatoba bench with solid surface Avonite top

[Chris Hughes]

One of the oter wood workers forums asked for photos of work made out of scrap.  Well I've had this jatoba (Brazilian cherry) hanging out in my bins for a while.  Most of the wood was to warped to use without the aid of a joiner, but it was too nice looking to use for heat or throw out.

The top is a fall cut from a kitchen display I did in the fall for gratis.  Ironically the solid surface is from a line that is recycled its self and leed certified.

Again with the domino, that machine makes such sort work of the process of putting mortise and tenon together.  I just can not say enough about the domino system.

Solid surface work is perfect for the rotex line up.  I use my  ro125 to sand through the sequence of grits to get to the polish stage and then turn the machine to rotex, bam!

OF2200 put nice edges on a roughly shaped slab.

 

[woodguy7]

Nice looking bench Chris.  What would you use a bench that size for ?  What type of router cutters do you use for solid surface material, i have never worked with it but i believe the Rotex sanders are the best for it.

Woodguy.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I built it as a table suitable for outside use here in Michigan's summertime.  But as I was fabricating it my current customer ask if he could buy it to use as a bench in his garden area.  Not really what I built it for, but what the heck.  IMO, as a table it was a little narrow at 24" but as a bench it was a little too deep.  "What are ya gonna do?"

For router bits it seems that there is no significant difference between wood and ss bits, though I could be wrong.  They appear to be the same.  The saw blades are different in their grind and angle of attack/hook.  All in all, ss is pretty easy to work with, especially if you have good dust collection.  The ss industry has done a good job of limiting how many people have access to the product.  Usually you have to take a daylong class at a distributor and pay a little fee.  I took the class with the intent of incorporating ss in my furniture design.

 

[HowardH]

I'd like to use a SS product like the Avonite for a Big Green Egg table I am planning.  I only need a piece roughly 24x48.  Where can you find this product?

 

[Chris Hughes]

Before I got certified I bought a lot of scraps and fall cuts from a local lumber yard that had a counter top shop.  I bought the stuff mostly for work surfaces like my side tables and out feeds.  So I would find a local fabricator and bug them.

 

[Wonderwino]

Nice table Chris!  Just the right size for a couple of Margaritas and a plate of nachos.  Just add a sunset view... [big grin]

 

[Chris Hughes]

I'll build you one and bring it to our class reunion.  When is that going to be?  Who's in charge of puttint that party together?  I nominate my shop partner Andrew. [big grin]

 

[Tim Morris]

I thought the disscussion was a reunion in Germany for a factory tour. I believe Brian said he would show us the town.
TIM

 

[Chris Hughes]

Oh yeah, I forgot. [blink]  Do I need my passport?

 

[Tim Morris]

Only if you want this to be a round trip!