This just came out too good

[Chrisj CMA]

A customer of mine gave me this old (100 y/o) window to strengthen, restore/refinish and then turn it into a coffee table.  I said sure no problem, well....until I started....took all my operating brain cells to get it all together but now its done.  Looks kinda Victorian

[Tundra]

Very cool Would make a nice display case too.

[Chrisj CMA]

Very cool Would make a nice display case too.

Its a shadow box table.  You put all sorts of purty stuff in there and then its a still a coffee table

[Gavin_Sons]

While I think it's a sin to paint wood, it looks good. If it were mine, I would have liked it all stained.  Good job 

[Fritz The Cat]

How durable is the glass? It would be a shame for someone to set a coffee cup down a little too hard and break it.

[Chrisj CMA]

How durable is the glass? It would be a shame for someone to set a coffee cup down a little too hard and break it.

6 panes 1/4" glass  they are only  8"X10"  you would be able to break it if you were careless in how you set down your sledge hammer, but aside from that Im not seeing breakage

[Stanley Steamer]

I bought a half dozen old windows a while back for $5/each......I made a similar project.....I just had a buddy who works with stained glass to order me a piece of tempered glass for the top of it....

This first table is going to be used with pics down inside the individual panes of glass.....I had planned on doing the shadow box with some of the others....but with heavier legs on them and hinges like you have.....

I bought a quart can of white glossy paint for $7....$5 for the window.....about $10 for the legs and rails....and $52 for the glass top......a few bucks for the Kreg screws.....so, I'll have around $75 in materials....took me about 2-3 hrs for construction and painting.....I'm not sure how much $$ someone would pay for this thing??..... .......I opted to just take a razor blade to clean the panes after I let the paint dry rather than take the time to tape off the panes...not sure if it saved me time.....of well, I do this stuff for fun.....probably too slow to make any $$ at it.....and I'm not sure if I'll keep it for myself.....

[Chrisj CMA]

Nice Stan...Im glad you did the painting like that, that's the old timey way, they never bothered with tape, just cut the paint off after it drys

[Stanley Steamer]

Nice Stan...Im glad you did the painting like that, that's the old timey way, they never bothered with tape, just cut the paint off after it drys

It only took about 20 mins to scrape it out...

[Stanley Steamer]

I love my Kreg jig system....I've got a brand new biscuit jointer I've never even used....

I've got the wood to make a display case for my model vehicle collection....glass sure isn't cheap though

[hubcapsc]

Nice Stan...Im glad you did the painting like that, that's the old timey way, they never bothered with tape, just cut the paint off after it drys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCa8e2un964

-Mike "I wish I could cut-in like this"

[..]

Nice Stan...Im glad you did the painting like that, that's the old timey way, they never bothered with tape, just cut the paint off after it drys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCa8e2un964

-Mike "I wish I could cut-in like this"

Right brush, brush loaded and a determined medium pace stroke.

When you start doing really slow strokes is when  it all goes sloppy (snurf, snurf).

[Jess from VA]

Yep, the best (expensive) small brushes do a much better job than the bargain ones (and foam ones).

And thorough, proper cleaning right after use is mandatory.

I painted for 10 years.  I got tired of it.  My rule now is if I can't use a 4" brush, I'm not painting it.

[Chrisj CMA]

Its also very important the viscosity of the paint.  For water based paints especially.  Thinning the paint down for the first coat gives a smoother base and then a little thicker to cover.

I used a little thicker than I usually do on this one because I wanted some brush strokes to show, gives it that old timey look.

There is also an additive you can get at paint stores that does the same thing (reduces brush strokes) I have never used it, but always wanted to try it.

The last thing that is a factor is temperature and humidity.  Hot and dry and worst yet direct sunlight is awful for painting.  Too cool/humid is ok for painting but terrible for drying.

Be carfeul out there

[hubcapsc]

Its also very important the viscosity of the paint.  For water based paints especially.  Thinning the paint down for the first coat gives a smoother base and then a little thicker to cover.

I used a little thicker than I usually do on this one because I wanted some brush strokes to show, gives it that old timey look.

There is also an additive you can get at paint stores that does the same thing (reduces brush strokes) I have never used it, but always wanted to try it.

The last thing that is a factor is temperature and humidity.  Hot and dry and worst yet direct sunlight is awful for painting.  Too cool/humid is ok for painting but terrible for drying.

Be carfeul out there

Floetrol and Penetrol can turn latex paint from mayonnaise into stuff that is
a whole lot like paint 

-Mike

[czuch]

I had a painting biz in San Diego. We painted the windows just like that. One realtor freaked out till I splained.
The razor took off ALL the old paint from the whole history of the window.
She had more jobs, after that than we could do. It was great.

[Hooter]

Yep, the best (expensive) small brushes do a much better job than the bargain ones (and foam ones).

And thorough, proper cleaning right after use is mandatory.

I painted for 10 years.  I got tired of it.  My rule now is if I can't use a 4" brush, I'm not painting it.

I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork than paint....I just hate it.

[Chrisj CMA]

Yep, the best (expensive) small brushes do a much better job than the bargain ones (and foam ones).

And thorough, proper cleaning right after use is mandatory.

I painted for 10 years.  I got tired of it.  My rule now is if I can't use a 4" brush, I'm not painting it.

I'd rather stab myself in the eye with a fork than paint....I just hate it.

Well, I hate it that this turned into a paint thread, but oh well............be careful with sharp objects, I saw a picture of a guy that got run through with a pitch fork right through the BUTTOCKS looked very painful.

And before anyone askes, I didn't find the picture, someone showed it to me on their phone!

[hubcapsc]

Well, I hate it that this turned into a paint thread, but oh well............be careful with sharp objects, I saw a picture of a guy that got run through with a pitch fork right through the BUTTOCKS looked very painful.

That happened to someone on a black-and-white episode of Gunsmoke
I was watching the other day.

-Mike "now it is a Gunsmoke thread  "

[Chrisj CMA]

Loading up for delivery in a little while.  I cant wait to take one last photo of it in her fancy living room.  I sure hope it fits the décor well.  I think I will look for my own old window, this thing is just too cool 

[Chrisj CMA]

Delivery Completed, everybody Happy Happy Happy

[Crackerborn]

From one educated termite to another, nice job! Were the trestle legs a glue up or manufactured material? I have a farm table coming up in 12/4 quarter-sawn White Oak that will be similar, more mission styling than what you made (bread-board top). Sadly, the table is easy, the 12 chairs will be more problematic since everything is pub height.

[Chrisj CMA]

From one educated termite to another, nice job! Were the trestle legs a glue up or manufactured material? I have a farm table coming up in 12/4 quarter-sawn White Oak that will be similar, more mission styling than what you made (bread-board top). Sadly, the table is easy, the 12 chairs will be more problematic since everything is pub height.

Thanks, The legs were a glue up.  Three pcs each glued with biscuits pretty easy and I had the material on hand so it saved a trip and the extra $$

[Crackerborn]

Looks good! I do not like biscuits unless they are covered in gravy.    That said. they do work well in a wide variety of applications. This is a mortice and tenon project I just finished.



All the vertical slats are removable since this is a radiator cover/bench for a north-side Chicago Brownstone. The slats will warp! Lots of extras included.

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks good! I do not like biscuits unless they are covered in gravy.    That said. they do work well in a wide variety of applications. This is a mortice and tenon project I just finished.



All the vertical slats are removable since this is a radiator cover/bench for a north-side Chicago Brownstone. The slats will warp! Lots of extras included.

Nice work......glad to see there are others here that know their way around a wood shop

[Crackerborn]

After giving my best to several carcass shops, as a former joiner, I went solo and have never looked back. The only problem is trying to convince customers they have to wait, Rome was not built overnight. Of course when they don't wait, I am expected to correct the others inefficiencies, and I end up losing a customer when I tell them to call XYZ that did the work. I won't fix other peoples work anymore.

[Chrisj CMA]

After giving my best to several carcass shops, as a former joiner, I went solo and have never looked back. The only problem is trying to convince customers they have to wait, Rome was not built overnight. Of course when they don't wait, I am expected to correct the others inefficiencies, and I end up losing a customer when I tell them to call XYZ that did the work. I won't fix other peoples work anymore.

Its easy....I tell them straight off.  Im one guy! you want it tomorrow, go pay high dollars to a shop that has lots of guys.  You want it cheap (not cheap, but reasonable) then its gonna take some time.  No one has had a problem yet in fact Its a running joke, by the time I get around to a specific job the customer usually calls that day and I just say almost ready call you in a couple days.

I Love My Job!

[Willow]

It looks really good and fits right in with her furniture.   

Don't let that encourage you to start ripping out the windows in your home.   

[Stanley Steamer]

I'm never going back to dadoes and rabbit joints...I'm loving my Kreg jigs

[Windrider]

I generally prefer the look of stained wood.  But your final pics with the table in place with the decor  --  the paint and stain combo is perfect!  Very Nicely Done!! 

[Crackerborn]

I'm never going back to dadoes and rabbit joints...I'm loving my Kreg jigs

The Kreg system works well with some applications, just like the Domino system (floating mortice and tenon), biscuits or splines. Do you really want your customer calling you in less than a year telling you that chair you built them just fell apart and Uncle Ernie has a broken back now because of the spill? In some applications it is best to use the tried and proven methods that have worked for several centuries. Of course that doesn't mean modern machines should not be used to help make old joinery styles easier. As an apprentice, one of the journeymen I was under could hand cut a dovetail drawer faster than I could set up a router jig for the same process. Now a CNC router does that same joint in a production shop and the programmer probably has no clue what makes that a desirable joint for a drawer box. I am not bashing the CNC, it is not the future of joinery, it is here now and if I could justify the cost, a CNC router would be in my shop. Take a look at better quality production furniture, sure the CNC made the joint, but there are still mortice and tenon as well as dovetails being used in the construction of a decent piece. The shoulder and pin that Chris used on the stretcher under his coffee table is a fine example of a through mortice. A strong, stable joint that helps solidify the whole table. 

[Stanley Steamer]

I wouldn't use kreg joinery for chairs....and I'm notorious for using twice as many screws than what are needed...I've used most all forms at one time or another....I also mainly make stuff for myself or my family....not for the masses....I'm planning on making some shadow box window frame tables as well...since I  found a source for old windows for just $5/each

[Chrisj CMA]

I never have to worry about Uncle Ernie's back.  I decided years ago...I don't make chairs.  Chairs (IMO) are one of the pieces of furniture that are highly unappreciated, the work, the time that goes into making a good chair.  And if its a good chair, that means its comfortable and it is tight , no trouble and therefore, no thought given to it...people lean a chair, stand on them use them for storage....you cant be good at everything so I decided not to be good at making chairs.

[hubcapsc]

I never have to worry about Uncle Ernie's back.  I decided years ago...I don't make chairs.  Chairs (IMO) are one of the pieces of furniture that are highly unappreciated, the work, the time that goes into making a good chair.  And if its a good chair, that means its comfortable and it is tight , no trouble and therefore, no thought given to it...people lean a chair, stand on them use them for storage....you cant be good at everything so I decided not to be good at making chairs.

This fellow (Mark Soukup) used to have his work displayed at the General Lewis in W. Va. where my
family has a reunion each year. I lusted after them for a long time, finally one year I
was in the position to get two of them. Me and my cousin Bill have visited his shop
a couple of times, he's as good a talker as he is a chair builder, it is always a good time.

We got two of these. I asked him what would happen if I sat in them wiggling around
while playing the guitar... he said "you'll pass them down to your grandchildren"...

He made the reproduction chairs for Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house...



http://www.marksoukup.com/product.php?prodid=180

In the old days, people used Windsor chairs for lawn chairs... they sit real good,
real comfortable...

-Mike