looking for a wood table top

[Captain Steve]

Could not find it in the mods section. saw it mentioned here about a table replacement made of wood with future plans for drawer storage. Help!! My wife loved it and wants one.

[Catigale]

Pretty sure it was Kevins (Kmclemore) if you want to try a pm or em...

[Zavala]

It was discussed in the Things that go crack in the Mac thread. I remember thinking it was a nice piece of work... considered commissioning the mini version for our .

NOTE: The thread is slow to load for some reason. It worked well the first time, but now it's requiring several refreshed to get it open.

[kmclemore]

As for the table I made, I'd be happy to speak with anyone who's interested in building a similar one, and I can take more pics and measurements if there's significant interest. Just drop me a note here and I'll reply.

[Captain Steve]

Thanks for the offer. Did you just trace off the plastic table or did you modify the shape at all. I am interested in putting drawers underneath it. Is there clearance issues when the table is dropped down for a bed. Lastly, a source for drawers...and photos would be nice. I am not a finish carpenter type of guy so is this project too deep over my head?

I saw another mod in the mod section for losing the table leg and fabricating a bracket off the compression pole...would this work?

[kmclemore]

Did you just trace off the plastic table or did you modify the shape at all.

Well, I started with a tracing, yes, but then took very accurate measurements of the gap from the two settee benches so I'd get that bit right for when it gets lowered to make a bed. Also had to take careful measurements of the holes where you screw it down. I made a pattern out of stiff corrugated cardboard, tried it in place, adjusted and trimmed it as necessary, and then I made the table from that pattern.

I am interested in putting drawers underneath it.

Yeah, so am I. The trick with that is to buy the drawers first, then cut a slot in the support stringers underneath, and position the stringers at the right distance apart for the drawers to slide nicely. I was planning to use a Rubbermaid or Sterling brand plastic box as the drawer but I've not done it yet.

Is there clearance issues when the table is dropped down for a bed.

Nope. Works great.

Lastly, a source for drawers...and photos would be nice.

Hard to find photos on-line, but look in Target or Walmart in the Kitchen or Bath storage bins areas... they have lots of bins and trays... pick ones you like!

I am not a finish carpenter type of guy so is this project too deep over my head?

Well, depends on how nice you want the result. You could simply just cut a piece of plywood to the right size, then drill holes to match the original ones and use the original securing knobs... that would be dead easy... just stain, varnish and you're good to go. If you want to do what I did - make the rails that go along the side, cover all the exposed edges with edging veneer and then make custom knobs, well, that's a bit harder and would require some skill with a router, table saw, clamping and gluing, and drill press, and a bit of hand-carving as well.

I saw another mod in the mod section for losing the table leg and fabricating a bracket off the compression pole...would this work?

I suppose so. I liked the original leg setup and it seemed to me that if I'd made the table deep enough to use the post as a support that the table would protrude too deeply into the isle and I'd be hitting with my hips as I walked past it all the time. Besides, there's a fair old bit of flex in our boats, and linking the hull's side to the post via the table might lead to a considerable bit of squeaking as the two fought against each other!

[jmclemore]

My wife loved it and wants one.

And well she should! Kevin made us a really nice table. The wood adds a lot of visual warmth to the interior of our boat.

If she likes the idea, perhaps she'll lend you a hand with the project. There are a few steps in the process when another pair of hands might be welcome. Helping out by holding things steady during tracing, sanding and glueing makes for a nicer end result and doesn't require great expertise on her part.

[Captain Steve]

Thank you Mr and Mrs Kevin...

what type of wood did you use..thickness..etc Is it a ply or glued panels?

I inherited a lot of woodworking tools,sanders, planer, drill press etc. This will be a chance to try them out

[kmclemore]

what type of wood did you use..thickness..etc Is it a ply or glued panels?

I used oak ply from our local Home Depot, 1/2" thick. I would have preferred teak, but that's just too blasted expensive, though I could have veneered it, I guess. Then I used oak strip edging (banding) to cover the exposed edges - tricky stuff to apply and that's where my lovely assistant came in very handy. As for the rails along the edges, that too was oak - a simple "L" shaped edge strip, also available at Home Depot. The support rails underneath are solid rock-maple, because I wanted a very strong wood for that... they were glued (Monkey Glue) and then screwed with 3 brass screws each.