DIY Network

Coopered Glass-Top Table: Finishing Touches From "Wood Works" episode WWK-509

The simple lines of this table are enhanced by the rich, red color of the jarrah and the textured patina finish of the copper connectors.

The final steps in the creation of the coopered table include leveling the top edges with a router so that they will properly support the glass top, and application of a wood finish.

Materials:

Metal router rails
Hand-held router with extended fence
Tung-oil wood finish
Paint brushes
Rags

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when
working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves, and ensure adequate ventilation, when working with wood stains, solvents and other toxic solutions.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Finishing Touches

• When ordering the glass for the glass-top table, it's a good idea to create a hard template to send along with the order. We made one from 1/4-inch MDF (figure A).

• It's important to level the base precisely so that the glass top will sit perfectly flat and level. Since the assembled base is too big to run over the jointer (and because the top edges are end-grain), a special technique is used for leveling the tops using router rails.

• With two pieces of 3/4-inch MDF secured to the assembly table, and perfectly level to one another, position two cold-rolled steel rails on top -- each securely taped down to the MDF (figure B).

• These router rails are hollow, rectangular tubes (figure C) that won't sag when weight is applied.

• We added an extended fence to the router to allow the router to straddle the rails as we level and smooth the tops of the two columns(figure D).

  A half-inch spiral carbide router-bit is used to remove the stock in incremental passes as the rails keep the router and the cut level (figure E).

• Finish the leveling process by sanding the columns with 220-grit sandpaper.

• A tung-oil finish is used to bring out the rich, red tones of the jarrah. Micro-crystalline wax is used to add shine to the copper pipes.

Tip: When having the glass cut for the table, ask the glass company to add a pencil-polished edge to complement the shape of the glass and curve of the base.