Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    6

    Default silky oak table restoration

    this is my first post, and let me say it is an excellent site for all things related to woodwork.

    just a quick note to show my WIP - a silky oak table restoration. after reading these forums i have jumped in and started my first major project! i have learned a great deal, thanks to all.

    the table was already in pieces when i got it. it also has 6 chairs.

    pic 1 is the original finish on the L (is it french polish?) and sanded just to 80 grit on the R

    pic 2 a close up of the grain - i love silky oak, but i like it a darker colour than the 'yellow' or 'honey' that you sometimes see

    pic 3 the table nearly all sanded. i sanded with my bosch pex ros to 80, 120, 180 and so far up to 3rd coat of feast watson floorseal (pic soon). 1st coat with brush, subsequent applied with the lambswool applicator . sanding to 180 in between and will prob go higher in between next 1 or 2 coats. and no i didnt forget the end of that leaf - i was just so eager to take a photo i hadn't done it yet.....

    pic 4, 5 the carver chair - i dont need to say anything here. (sorry for the grainy photos of the chair - its with my phone camera not the digital cam)

    thanks again to all who contribute. will try to post some pics of it all completed .

    nick

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba Q 4350
    Posts
    3,491

    Default

    keep the photos and tale of your restoration coming Nick.

    Lovely to see an old table come back to life.

    cheers
    Wendy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    46

    Default

    Wow silky oak is a lovely timber!

    Looks like a great job and love to see more pics of the finished table etc.

    Do you know anything about the history/source of the setting? The design of the carver chair is quite unusual.

    Steph

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    84
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Its coming up beautifully, look forward to seeing more pics.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    63
    Posts
    0

    Default

    I like my silky oak dark too.



    What are you using as a finish? I am using Cabot's Danish oil coloured with artists' oilpaint, over a shellac sealer.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by s_m View Post
    Wow silky oak is a lovely timber!

    Looks like a great job and love to see more pics of the finished table etc.

    Do you know anything about the history/source of the setting? The design of the carver chair is quite unusual.

    Steph

    thanks for the kind words.

    i don't know too much about its origin, but the old fella i got it off told me that his son bought it off an old family friend who had it for 'years'. is there anyone out there that can add to things? maybe the original finish or leg carving style helps?

    i bought the whole setting for $150! the seller was a keen woodowrker himself (he may even visit these forums?!), and he showed me around his house at the gold coast with his other silky oak furniture including several pieces that he restored and a few that he had made.

    as for finishing, like i had said in the original post - i am using feast watson floorseal. i haven't decided on a polish yet. i wanted a fairly hard wearing finish that would resist some of the perils of a table actually being used for its purpose.

    all in all it has been a good first effort, i have learned a great deal - and only had to sand the table back to bare wood once (because i wasn't happy with the first attempt at finishing).

    thanks
    nick

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Sunshine Coast, Qld
    Posts
    117

    Default

    Just out of curiosity....would you could that a club foot? (image below)
    Rusty

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    6

    Default silky oak or not?

    some more photos of the table. 4th coat of feast watson floorseal. exador from this forum has told me it probably isnt a silky oak table with the darker element to the grain. anyone have any ideas of the type?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Sunshine Coast, Qld
    Posts
    117

    Default

    I think you'll find it's silky oak alright. Of course silky oak covers three different trees - grevillea, cardwelia and oritis with grevillea being the most common - and these probably vary in colour.
    Rusty

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands
    Age
    50
    Posts
    287

    Default

    it's silky oak, just not quarter cut

Similar Threads

  1. Silky oak dining room suite refurbishment
    By Blackout in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 4th May 2009, 03:31 PM
  2. Silver Ash & Silky Oak
    By AlexS in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 14th July 1999, 06:06 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •