Finally completed the dining table. There had been some discussion here about dinette options, so there may be some interest. We needed something to go between the 4106 seats I got from Dutch, so I designed and built the table.
Curly Cherry and Walnut top, the leaves hinge upwards (reverse of drop-leaf) so even I can get into the seats (it's a 4107, at 35 feet, space is precious). The frame is bolted to the wall seat-track, 3 bolts widely spaced so there's no front-back movement. There's a diagonal brace from the top aisle-end of the frame to the bottom wall-end. That, combined with the single leg at the aisle (2X2 Quilted Maple) makes it sturdy. The one remaining step is two brass angles from the bottom of the aisle-end leg to the floor seat track.
To get in, the leaves flip up (butler tray-table hinges). Then, leaves are lowered, and two supports on each side are flipped out (mortised into the frame rails, held closed with rare earth magnets.
Now, back to refacing the drawers (curly maple veneer), dealing with the cabinet doors and face-frame, with some combination of maple and walnut.
I tried posting this before, after an hour learning how to resize photos, and it wouldn't take three pictures (top down, top up, and the frame. I'll try again with only the two of the top.
Arthur
Well, since that worked, here's the frame.
Now, who can tell me what kind (American, National, Model?) of seats these are, since they really, really need to be recovered? They came from Dutch's 4106, if that helps.
Arthur
I don't know what kinda seats they are but VERY NICE JOB on the table!
Arthur,
Craftmanship and attention to detail for the need. Very nice.
Did you get the wood from a local box store or special order it?
Do you take outside orders?
Thanks for the pics.
Skip
Doggone Art! You certainly do some beautiful work. That is a masterpiece for sure. Can you save a set of plans for that...I think I know a guy in FL who might be interested in a set...he keeps trying to talk me out of my dinette table.
For sure, if I had the time and the tooling...I 'd make a copy and give him this old turkey we have.
Bob
Man, I just shake my head in wonder at the stuff some of you guys can build! This table is a perfect example. NICE!
Dennis
Very nice, I appreciate the detailed photos. Has anyone heard anymore from Dutch?
Great work and a great table too. I am just trying to figur out building mine Jerry
Can't wait to see it in person at the Texas Roundup! Great idea and workmanship!
Happy Trails,
Paul
Dreamscape
Thanks for the comments. Haven't heard anything from Dutch, he is/was more active on the other board but haven't seen him lately.
Skip, I'm a regular at the local Woodcraft store, (woodcraft.com for locations). I normally check out the lumber for anything interesting, and keep a small stash. I'd had the curly cherry for a while, waiting for a project. Found the walnut for the leaves, had an interesting mix of heartwood and sapwood - one of the guys there suggested ripping it down the center to get the symmetry for the walnut portion of the leaves. The quilted maple leg is a 2X2 that I've had for some time, again waiting for a project.
The woodworking magazines (Wood, Woodworkers Journal, etc.) all have ads in the back for mail order sources for figured wood. I don't do woodworking as a profession, just a hobby, so sorry, no outside orders. I do have a friend who does this kind of custom woodworking, in fact, the refrigerator from the coach (ugly, yellow, and old) is going into his shop next week. I can put you in touch with him if you like, but I'll suggest that the custom fitting for mounting in the coach really suggests to me that the coach should be nearby when the work is done (see the paragraph below).
Bob, there are no plans as such, I had to make it up as I went along - each set of plans was a sketch on yellow legal paper as we measured the bus. In fact, after taking the tabletop over to the bus and trying it (fairly early in construction), I had to rip 3/4 off each side of the central, fixed portion - which meant re-mortising for the six butler tray table hinges (it was either rip the 1 1/2 inches off, lose weight, or not be able to get into the seats - I took the easy way out). If your friend wants, I could make some rough sketches, put together some notes, and take more photos with a ruler for scale.
Arthur
Arthur,
Really looks nice, I appreciate your talent and hard work.
Bob was talking about me, but I already built a table while he was gone. :P
"Rolling stone gathers no moss" ;D
Cliff
Very nicely done! The cherry and the walnut go well together, although its the whole look that says quality and fine craftsmanship.
Laryn, you were asking about Dutch. I just saw his 4106 on Ebay, posted on Aug 17. I recognized his email address, don't know anything more.
Arthur
You've done a beautiful job on it, I've had a cabinetry shop for many years here and can appreciate the work and attention to detail you've put into it, nice job.
Wow, Arthur, that's a sweet looking table you built. Very impressive.
I like how your bus will keep some classic coach elements along with thoughtful, hand-made items like your table.
Classy, indeed!
Brian B.