2017 4-H project

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Going to do a journal of sorts for Gator's 4-H project.

She chose to build Kevin Rodel's Limbert inspired coffee table, from Fine Woodworking magazine.

First off was board selection. I picked up 65 bd ft of QSWO from the local dealer.

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She picked out what she thought was the best match and had the most fleck for the top.

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Next up was to start on the side panels. These are pretty easy to do if you follow the article.

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Next she added all the routing to the sides that needs to be done.

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Action shot of squaring up those pesky round corners.

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Next up she glued up the legs to get the thickness to get the 8/4 stock needed. She also wrapped the other 2 sides to cover up the glue line.

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While the glue dries for that, moved on to cutting the angle on the sides.

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Next up the getting started on the bottom panel. Once again, not hard at all, if you follow the directions.

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She finished up all the fitting work before we added the legs to the sides. Wanted to make sure the bottom fit the sides in case there was trouble.

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Might as well set the top on and see how it is going to look.

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And that's when I noticed 2 perfect straight glue lines. I pointed these out and left the decision up to her. She didn't like it, but the top got ripped apart and glued back up.

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On to finishing the side panels while the top dries.

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Put the bottom section back together and made the corbels. Glued those in place.

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Now that the top is caught back up to process, lets see how it looks again.

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Add the stretchers to hold the top in place, yes these are pocket screwed. Not what the plan calls for but what is was comfortable doing.

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Attach the top, we are in the home stretch now.

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Here is what was used first, 1/3 mix of each. About out of time to complete this. Was wanting to use a water base dye stain, but just wasn't enough time.

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Top was removed to help with the finishing. And off she went. About this time the guys at work came to understand she was really doing this. She would call or text sending pics when she ran into problems.

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After a couple coats of that mixture, and several fans aiding the drying process, we get this.

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Still not happy with the final color and on the morning of project turn in day, she hits it with a coat of this.

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Bam that got it. It is actually pretty close to the Sickley color.

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Off the fair we go. Projects were judged she received a reserved grand champion and was selected to go to the state fair in Indy. I was very upset with the judge. lots of folks knew I was upset. He more or less said I girl couldn't build this. Gator told him, I did everything but rip the small pieces for the bottom. She wasn't comfortable with her fingers that close to the blade. It is what it is, he is an older guy stuck in his ways. He is still upset because we won't tell him how we get the finish so smooth. If he hasn't heard of wax and Pledge it ain't my fault.
 
Wow wow wow, congrats to Gator Steve. Thats a superb piece of work all round. I like the wood choice, design and style of the table and her abilities shine through. Must have got those from her papa.
What a great memory and program for kids. She is Grand Champion in my books.
 
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