Reclaimed Wood Dinette Tabletop

[KelloggKid]

Originally Posted by Baby Zeppelin

That would be my concern too, though the table looks lovely, and looks to have plenty of strength when used as a table.

I built our replacement table with use as a bed in mind, with the wood running in the appropriate direction for that, and oak battens under the table to provide additional support when used in the table configuration. Wood used for the table is walnut, cherry, curly maple, and wormy maple (aka "ambrosia maple").

Wow - beautiful job. I love how natural wood warms the interior.

My table is obviously not going to be as strong as yours but should be fine for use as a table or the occasional grade school age grandchild. We are yet to use it as a bed and not sure we ever will so that wasn't a concern for us.

[modebacker]

Very nice job. One of the first things we did for our 23FB was to replace the dinette table with one made of curly maple. Used polycrylic for the finish which made it fairly impervious and kept the beautiful maple color. We also made a small piece that fits snuggly in the drawer of the wardrobe and provides a small "bedside table".

[Native143]

Nice job. I want to do the same but the weight concerns me. How thick did you plane the teak? And what did you all do to strengthen the little supports on the couch that hold the table top. Mine are sagging (I bought it used so not me). Looks exactly like what I want! Bravo.

[KelloggKid]

Originally Posted by Native143

Nice job. I want to do the same but the weight concerns me. How much heavier is the teak? Or how thick did you plane it? Looks exactly like what I want! Bravo.

The teak is 1/2" thick and then I glued a 1/4" thick piece of baltic birch plywood to the underside. The finished table weighs slightly less than the Airstream original one.

[dprvashon]

Nice work! I also made a couple of dinette tables from local woods. I used Titebond III glue without any biscuits in the joints. The reason...I spoke with technicians from Titebond who assured my that the glue supports 2000lbs per foot on the joint. I have never had an issue with the joint separating whereas the wood would break first. The issue I did encounter was warping of the sides table top after sealing it. With the heater vent directly under the table, being made in the northwest cool/moist air, the sides of the table simply started curving down. To solve this, I put in a 1/4" rabbit in the underside of the table, across the joints. Then epoxy in thin, 1/4" strips of aluminum (Home Depot) to use as strongbacks. The strips sanded off smooth and you can't see them without turning the table over. Another method would be to "breadboard" the end of table by glueing piece across the length of the table. The table will withstand the weight of people sleeping in the bed position.

Dave

[modebacker]

I too made a dining table replacement with curly maple. I had a little maple left over, used it to make an insert for the drawer next to the bed. I did add a strip of walnut as an accent.

[Baby Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by modebacker

I too made a dining table replacement with curly maple. I had a little maple left over, used it to make an insert for the drawer next to the bed. I did add a strip of walnut as an accent.

Love curly maple. I'm having difficulty visualizing what you've made though. What model of Airstream is it? Trying to picture a drawer next to the bed, as mine has cabinets. Thanks!

[modebacker]

We have a 23FB. There are two drawers under the wardrobe on the port side.