10-18-2018, 10:02 PM
Gents, having argued myself into a circle, I'm turning to you. The 'chess table' will be a table with, essentially, a big square hole in the top for a board that is already complete. This whole affair will see frequent use as a dining table, study table, table in a busy family place. It needs to serve in those capacities. Put another way...a person with a plate or bowl and a glass and bread plate should be able to use it comfortably. The board itself is large: 20+" on a side. So the 'frame' around it will be somewhere in the 6-10" range (not decided yet). Closer to 6" is more likely though as the drawers won't be accessible of the frame is too wide. Last consideration: while I want the whole table to be a family heirloom, I REALLY want the board to survive, so I am loathe to actually glue the board in place.
The conundrum: how to mount the board? The obvious choice is "flush to the top of the frame". However, as you know, over time with wood movement eventually one corner of the board will go a 1/64" shallow while another corner goes 1/128" proud, with both becoming an annoyance. A second choice would be to mount it low by some amount needed to allow a transitional beading (1/2"?). But then this requires a removable cover, which would need to be cosmetic. Meaning, with a 1/2" 'depth', 1/4" mdf (or aluminum?) veneered with 1/8" of pretty on either side. Is this durable? Or floppy and prone to breakage?
Maybe mount the board high, and make a frame that could be added for 'dinner'? This just seems weird, but may work. Or maybe mount the board flush and make a decorative top covering the whole thing? And as a bonus on the 'bottom' of the decorative cover inlay in a Scrabble board? Seems like folks would play much just from the pain of removing some 3'x3' board.
You can see the problem. What do you suggest? Oh, in case you're curious, the board is Satinwood and Cocobolo squares with an ebony 'frame' accented with amboyna burl. The pieces and squares where made from the same log.
The conundrum: how to mount the board? The obvious choice is "flush to the top of the frame". However, as you know, over time with wood movement eventually one corner of the board will go a 1/64" shallow while another corner goes 1/128" proud, with both becoming an annoyance. A second choice would be to mount it low by some amount needed to allow a transitional beading (1/2"?). But then this requires a removable cover, which would need to be cosmetic. Meaning, with a 1/2" 'depth', 1/4" mdf (or aluminum?) veneered with 1/8" of pretty on either side. Is this durable? Or floppy and prone to breakage?
Maybe mount the board high, and make a frame that could be added for 'dinner'? This just seems weird, but may work. Or maybe mount the board flush and make a decorative top covering the whole thing? And as a bonus on the 'bottom' of the decorative cover inlay in a Scrabble board? Seems like folks would play much just from the pain of removing some 3'x3' board.
You can see the problem. What do you suggest? Oh, in case you're curious, the board is Satinwood and Cocobolo squares with an ebony 'frame' accented with amboyna burl. The pieces and squares where made from the same log.
MAKE: Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... www.makezine.com
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished