G'day from Forestville

Hi all,

I just found this site and am keen to pick the brains of those more experienced in woodworking than I am.

Having just retired from the computer industry after 42 years in the one job that had nothing to do with woodworking I have just joined a local men's shed where they have fantastic tools and other supplies to make odds and ends out of timber. I just recently made a hall stand which I designed so my wife could park her walking sticks and umbrellas conveniently. That way most satisfying and it spurred me on to make something more ambitious.

I designed a leaf shaped coffee table that should be fairly challenging. (I'll attach the plan if I can get the technology to work in my favour.)

First question for you to consider if you wood:U: what timbers should I use for the body of the leaf and the stem. I want the leaf body to be an autumn leaf brown colour, so currently thinking of Tasmanian Myrtle. The stem needs to be a darker brown and be quite strong as it will be laminated into six layers each 10mm thick. I'm considering a gum but these are difficult to machine.

Thoughts?
Attachment 404574

Regards,
Peter

Hi Peter,
Welcome to a top forum, is it possible to add what state you're in please, as it makes it easier if requesting help with something? You design looks spectacular, a beautiful design. For the stem, have you thought about using Jarrah? Straight grained and is a dark brown color, you should be able to pick some up from the salvage yards, as it's used for bearers under floors. It machines reasonably well also. Others might chime in with better advise.
Kryn

Thanks Kryn. I have updated my location, as I'm aware there is also a Forestville in SA. That's not me.
Jarrah for the stem sounds a good choice, but I might need to get a lighter timber for the rest of the leaf as the colour contrast between Jarrah and Tassie Myrtle may not be significant enough.

Thanks for the thought.

Peter

Firstly welcome to these forums.

I agree with Kryn that it is a very neat design especially as it is probably one of your first?, but I think it can be significantly improved if you want a natural element in the design.
If you don't ,then don't bother to read further.

BTW none of these ideas are original I got them from a Michael Fortune Seminar I went to a few years ago.

I'm assuming that with computers in your background you are left brained (i.e. logical, analytical and objective, I'm also that way, as are many folks on these forums).
Most left brained folks designing objects with a natural element favour will complete symmetry which ends up making them look artificial or maybe a bit cartoonish.
Although objects with a natural origin often have overall symmetry they usually have a strong dose of asymmetry which is precisely what makes them look natural.

If you look at almost all leaves they curve to the left or right, bulge more on one side than another, the leaf section itself does not start in exactly the same place on both sides, the veins are not all exactly the same.
Attachment 404625
So my recommendation is to see if you can add "just a hint" of asymmetry to the design.
I favour the use of asymmetric curves but that is very hard when starting out.
However, all that is usually needed to break the symmetry is to add just one or maybe two simple elements.
It could be as simple as one of these
- one side of the leaf starting further along the stem than the other
- making one side slightly bulgier than the other.
- making the leaf panels at slightly different angles or sizes to each other

For left brained people there will be a natural tendency to fight/dislike any asymmetry so you probably should show your designs as much to right brained people as left brained people.
This is what trained artists are supposed to be good at.

As for wood, for the leaf panels why not see if you can find wood that features either variable grain or natural gum veins in it which will add to the asymmetry of the design.

Welcome to the forum Peter.

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Peter".
There are a stack members across the Sydney area plus the rest of the country.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie

PS -

Keep an eye out for a get together at Katoomba for the Sydney area forum members....great way to met & make friends.

Thanks Bob.

You are right on the money on all counts. I'm very left brained, however my wife is just the opposite. We discussed adding in some variety which oddly enough I'm in favour of but my right brained partner not so much.....

I'd considered sliding the segments down the stem to offset them, but hadn't considered changing the angles on each side. Good suggestion. I'd really love to curve each section but doing that on a bandsaw would open gaps between adjacent pieces. Could join with epoxy to get a strong bond and that would fill the gaps, but I'm not convinced it would give a furniture quality joint. Any ideas ?

Peter

Welcome to a top forum