My first project in Manitoba was a Greene and Greene inspired table. I built it from some Manitoba Green Ash (some people call it dirt wood and most burn it in their fireplaces and wood stoves 'round here) that was dried to 10% moisture content, so I was told. Guess what, it was not. I found out because the maple strengthening stretchers that I had dovetailed into the table top from the underside, their length did not shrink. But, the ash table top sure did, across the grain. I should have known better than make these stretchers the same length as the width of the table top. If I had cut the stretchers one quarter of an inch shorter on each side, I would not had the edge trim boards pop off. I should have taken a few shots of the table with the damage showing. Anyway, after that lesson of how to build smart with solid lumber, the table is now repaired and the pictures below are the completed table, again. The top is not wet, it is the gloss finish I was shooting for. I built this table as a trial run and developed a lot of jigs and patterns to mass produce it. So, even though I had to repair the table, I now know thoroughly what to do whenever I make a run of these. I almost sold the table for $700 and I'm glad I didn't. I would have been sheepishly explaining myself and blaming someone else for the wood with too high of a moisture content. But, not really. I never duck responsibility. I take my lumps and lickings when they come, dust myself off and get back on the horse. One of my other Indian names is "Barry Rides A Long Time". In between dreaming up Indian names for myself and fixing prototype tables, I had a chance to stack the three sets of speakers I built in the teevee room. That's what the other pictures are. Plus some completed shots of the mini Panasonic speakers that I wrapped in Myrtle burl. I'm not sure if anyone reads this stuff, but you see, this is an exercise in harnessing the internet for future web commerce. One must be net savvy and disciplined to utilize all the social media aspects and tools to move products. So, this blog is not only to hook readers and purchasers, I hope. But, to also train myself. I need to develop my web chops, so to speak. Hopefully I will have something worthy of some pixels tomorrow, or the day after. And, one more thing. If you can please leave a comment if you think this table will find a place in sub $1000 dinning table market. There are also several pictures of it scattered through out this web site.
Barry A. CroweA newly single dad of two beautiful boys. University educated, procurement and project manager professional forging ahead building my business, raising my boys, renovating the family home, living and loving. Archives
March 2015
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