Jigsaw Puzzle Table

flair woodworks

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I just finished this side table that I'm calling Jigsaw Puzzle Table.

puzzle-table16.jpg


The table is made of 1" Baltic birch with 1/4" quartersawn black walnut veneer, with 1/4" riftsawn black walnut edge banding.

puzzle-table4.jpg


After veneering the outside, I finished the inside with gloss blue paint (gloss finishes are finicky!). Then I cut the mitres with my sliding table saw and scoring blade. I was grateful that I didn't have to slide the freshly-painted surfaces across a metal table. Still, I had to do some touchup on the painted surface.

puzzle-table5.jpg


I cut mortises with my Domino DF 500 and pressed 5mm Dominos into one piece. Then I spread glue on the mitred surfaces (I didn't bother putting any glue on the Dominos or in mortises) and slid the parts together.  This was easier said than done.

Whenever I do mitred joints, I appreciate the positive alignment properties of the Dominos, but none more so than here!

puzzle-table7.jpg


Right after taking that picture, I found that I couldn't press the joint together any more.  Uh-oh.  Fortunately, one feature about splined joints is that sideways forces are directed in the direction of the spline.  That meant that I was able to drive the parts home with sideways blows (perpendicular to the vertical component) with a mallet near the joint.

puzzle-table8.jpg


After getting one pair of parts together, I assembled a second set, then put all four parts together before the glue set. I threw some web clamps over the box and pulled everything tight.

puzzle-table9.jpg


I laid out a grid representing the position of the puzzle pieces and free-hand routed them with an up-spiral router bit.

puzzle-table10.jpg


After that, it was a cakewalk.  You know - I just had to finish all the edges of the puzzle pieces.  [eek]

I also built a small base to raise the box off of the ground by a couple inches.

Here's a studio shot of the finished table.

jigsaw-puzzle-table1.jpg


If you want to read more about this project, check out these blog posts:
 
Freehand?!

I've just made up a template for jigsaw piece inlay work, would have worked really well on this if the dimensions met up - which they wouldn't have of course.

Nice table that.
 
That is beautiful.  I really like the blue on the inside as well.  Thank you for sharing.  Bill
 
Wuffles said:
Freehand?!

I've just made up a template for jigsaw piece inlay work, would have worked really well on this if the dimensions met up - which they wouldn't have of course.

Nice table that.

Cool idea for an inlay (I may be biased, though).  I'd love to see the results.  Y'know, now that you've planted the idea in my head, I'd like to make a template for that purpose, too.
 
Chris,
More than a table, it's a true work of art.  Your work is spot on.  Love that painted interior.  In my opinion, that is the element that really takes the piece to another level.

Thanks for sharing!

Mike A.
 
[member=9555]Chris Wong[/member]
How did you finish all of the puzzle edges? Did you fab some kind of form tool that holds sandpaper?

The whole concept is really cool.  [big grin]

Talk about a time intensive project.
 
Chris Wong said:
Wuffles said:
Freehand?!

I've just made up a template for jigsaw piece inlay work, would have worked really well on this if the dimensions met up - which they wouldn't have of course.

Nice table that.

I modified a stock jigsaw piece EPS drawing and ripped out anything non-important, I'll send you a copy if you PM me with an email address.

I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on that particular laser cut template as the company that I used may have misinterpreted me. For example, I am looking at a pile of perfectly cut, acrylic bow ties right now. They appear to have sent me the cut outs, not the template!  [eek]

They're rectifying the error next week.

Cool idea for an inlay (I may be biased, though).  I'd love to see the results.  Y'know, now that you've planted the idea in my head, I'd like to make a template for that purpose, too.
 
Very impressive Chris!  I hope you don't mind - I linked your post here on CWW seeing as how its not on there and I always enjoy seeing your work.  Thanks for sharing!  [smile]
 
Cheese said:
[member=9555]Chris Wong[/member]
How did you finish all of the puzzle edges? Did you fab some kind of form tool that holds sandpaper?

The whole concept is really cool.  [big grin]

Talk about a time intensive project.

Making the table was quick.  Finishing the table was slow.  I made sure to use a sharp router bit (I used two to do the routing), so I didn't have to sand the grooves.  To finish in the grooves, I used microbrushes from Lee Valley.  I'm not about to recommend this procedure, but it did get the job done!
 
BubbaGump said:
Very impressive Chris!  I hope you don't mind - I linked your post here on CWW seeing as how its not on there and I always enjoy seeing your work.  Thanks for sharing!  [smile]
Not at all!  Thanks for sharing.
 
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