Textured scrub/gouged finished

[Sam R]

Seeking the collective wisdom. I have a client who wants a dining table. I plan on using some ok, but not spectacular, English oak I have - flat sawn (FFS!). I have been experimenting recently with contrasting wood tones which I may incorporate but what I think could be really cracking is a strip straight down the middle 100 -150mm wide that has a burnished but lightly random scalloped finished to contrast with the smooth planed finish either side. I think I'd use a plane with a heavy camber rather than large diameter gouge. A few passes with a fine straight smoothing plane to keep tops of scallop cusps level for the purposes of glasses being sat on it.

Technically, I think I would scrub the centre plank & possibly scrape to near finish before edge jointing (wax to ease clean up pain) rather than attempting one top is one piece. This would load the work towards prep & glue up, but in order to keep a crisp delineation between the textures I think this would be best. Finally, burnish with wire wool and shavings. BUT maybe it would be better if the scrub area gently transitioned and grew from the smooth surface... In which case I would raise the centre plank in order to scrub down. I would use either a loose tongue or stub dowels to maintain a consistent depth relative to adjoining boards.

What do you all think? Any insight gratefully received.

Sam

 

[custard]

This was done to death from the 1930's to the 70's. Google "adzed table" and you can see what a furniture cliche it became.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yorkshire-Sch ... SwARZXiRIK

However, textured surfaces are now making a comeback, but they're usually now a lot more subtle and generally veer towards gouge work rather than scrub planes or adzes. I like the idea of contrasting textures on a top, that might give an interesting twist.

Another very contemporary look for Oak that's in the same vein is scorching, followed by some vigorous work with a wire brush, and then staining with dilute acetic acid or white vinegar that has had wire wool dissolved in it. The scorching (if properly done!) eats away at the softer fibres of the Oak, so after wire brushing you're left with a very tactile, and organically textured surface. Scorching is probably vying with soap finishes at the moment to be the current big thing in furniture.

Good luck!

 

[bugbear]

This was done to death from the 1930's to the 70's. Google "adzed table" and you can see what a furniture cliche it became.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yorkshire-Sch ... SwARZXiRIK

However, textured surfaces are now making a comeback, but they're usually now a lot more subtle and generally veer towards gouge work rather than scrub planes or adzes. I like the idea of contrasting textures on a top, that might give an interesting twist.

There was an example in the recent Sellers thread;

https://paulsellers.com/2016/08/disappe ... appearing/

Search down for "simple seats"

BugBear

 

[Sam R]

Thanks both for replies.

Custard: the adzed table was not something I was very aware of, so thanks for pointing it out. But the finsih I have in mind is not as coarse or regular as that. If you have it, Cabint Making: The Professional Approach has an image of a table with a shallow gouged bowl carved into the surface. Similar to this
https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...M7OAhUF2hoKHZW5Ae4QMwhSKCwwLA&iact=mrc&uact=8 but random orientation of scallops.

Bugbear - the stool in the Sellers' link is perhaps closer in terms of the scalloping effect, though the gloss finish is a bit much (!) but I'm thinking of a finer rippling effect.

I'll knock out some samples & post back. Thanks both.