The making of Jarrah Countertop

Tom Niemi

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We had decided a while ago due to some wood my son was able to get from his work to create our own countertops made from Jarrah. Man that is some beautiful, HEAVY wood. Anyway last Friday I was able to have a shop day with my son and glue up the last 2 countertops. Pics start with 1" wide x 1 3/4" thick 10' long strips of jarrah layed out in my shop. Took them to my sons work (they let us use the equipment on off hours :D) We layed them out, sorted for color and grain and glued them up and put in the clamp rack. When they dried, put them thru the 44" belt sander for rough finish (will do final sanding later)
 

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Now THAT is a clamp rack. :D Cool pics Tom. Looks like a fun project. I'm sure it's nice having access to the big boy tools, too.
 
And just for fun here are some Pics of a few other tools as in the rip saw and moulder and just a bit of the wood storage. Please note the first pic with my truck in it is only around 1/4 or less of the shop, it is HUGE. And no Larry I will not disclose the location:rolleyes: (yes we get a lot of good wood from here:D)
 

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a glueing machine/station, a pneumatic clamping rack?, and a belt sander as big as my house?
youre swimming in the big pond now Tom.....if I had that clamping rack, I could be someone(eh, who am I kidding, but man, that is some impressive clamping system)
 
WOW, that clamp rack it bigger than my entire Dungeon :eek: :D :thumb:

Those are going to be some amazing counter tops, just don't screw up the hole for the sink :eek: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Cheers!
 
Yes I am lucky to have "the big boys toys (er tools)" to use:D That clamp rack is the best:D And as far as the sink Stu, I am gong to use Toni's thought process "think thrice, measure twice and cut once" and hope for the best:p

Thanks :thumb: Tom
 
It's really nice stuff Allen and heavy doesn't even cover it :eek: My son and I were taking a section down stairs and I took a break and set my end down and it slipped :eek: well I most likely will have a scar on my right forearm:p and just you wait to see the finished version :D IT IS AWESOME, the grain is incredable, just ask Larry or the ashman, they has seen it :)
 
As beautiful as they are going to look I don't think I could let anyone set anything on them. Can't wait to see them installed and finished
 
Yea dad that sure is some heavy wood. When I get my table done that should be HEAVY. 1.625 X 44 X 108" just for the top yea heavy. So hows the arm? oh yea I get to play with the big boys toys every day:D
 
Yes Dave, these are for a my kitchen They will be sealed With "Cab Sealer", I'm not really sure what is is but my son's work said to use. Now just have to find it. Any suggestions? I'm open for ideas, just do not want to oil due to darkening if the wood.
 
I recently did a large Mahogany kitchen counter top. The previous finish failed and I was asked to come up with a better solution for a kitchen top finish.
1st we sealed with shellac 4 coats, 1st 2 coats 50/50
then 6 coats for Minwax tung oil, brushed on [brushed out]
then with the white synthetic steel wool pad, use comit with paint thinner to make a paste and put the white pad on a square electric sander buff the top down with the paste.
The take Liberon 0000 steel wool with a good wax and polish the top. Keeping with the grain of the wood.

If you have any questions let me know shop # 301-948-6652

Dave
 

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That top looks awesome Dave :thumb: I'll have to think hard about that. How does it hold up to usage and scratching? If I do that I will give ya a call for first hand tips, thanks:thumb:
 
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