Table Scraps 1.0 by rmkeillor
Just Started / Public / University of Michigan / Furniture Design, Product Design
I have been working for a small office + educational furniture company in Spring Lake, MI for just over a month now. I draw the worksurfaces and use software to create the CNC programming that is used to cut them out on the CNC router. The remainder of a sheet of material is cut up and scraped out...or free to employees for personal projects, cut to size/shape that will fit.
So, this is a coffee table to be built mostly of free scrap material, with the exception of the trim bordering the horizontal surfaces [also screws, glue, dowels, etc.]. The design of the base should avoid racking and also appears variably solid and open from different angles.
I want to use two different colors for the horizontal and vertical pieces, but I would like some feedback on the trim pieces. Do you prefer the table with them, without them, matching the vertical color, perhaps in a third color? This is a prototype, so please feel free to give any design feedback/ideas that might improve the next iteration.
Notes: This was modeled and rendered in 3DS Max 9. I am always looking for tips and tricks for that program as well, especially with materials and rendering.
RMKEILLOR / Projects
TABLE SCRAPS 1.0 / Mark-ups
None at this time.
TABLE SCRAPS 1.0 / Quick Critiques
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3 Comments
mhettler
Hey Ryan, very cool design. I'm actually also in the process of creating a table (coffee table) out of some scrap material -- it's definitely a fun challenge working with a limited amount of material.
Personally, I like it without the trim so that the edges of the horizontal pieces are exposed. Although, I guess it depends on what kind of design you're going for. If it's going to be used in an office setting, maybe the trim is a good way to go? Either way, I think you should be consistent with the two horizontal pieces -- either both have trim or neither do. Also, what kind of wood are you using?
Keep us updated on the progress of this project. It'd be great to see some process shots and whatnot.
May 08th, 2009 11:40 am
rmkeillor
Thanks Matt. I guess I forgot to mention the material I am working with. Our worksurfaces are cut from 1.25” pre-laminated board consisting of a pressed board core with a 1/16” laminate top and a backer layer. The trim was one solution to cover the raw edge of the surface. If I use trim, I think it should match the color of the vertical pieces, keeping to just two tones.
To simulate the look of a solid top, I would have to get some laminate or veneer to band the edge. I am experimenting with separating the laminate from the core and whether it might be reusable. I will need to either recycle some laminate from scraps or get more to cover the back side and edges of the vertical pieces.
I will definitely post some pictures as it comes together. I now have gotten all the pieces cut, so start fitting them together soon.
May 12th, 2009 8:14 pm
mhettler
Aha, I see -- ya, I was thinking that the horizontal pieces were solid wood. In that case, I'm not as opposed to some sort of trim pieces, as that'll probably be cheaper than using veneer. Tough call. I guess I would probably get the table put together and then figure out what looks best for the edges. Do the vertical pieces need material on the edges as well? Maybe you could do veneer on those so that they look like solid wood and then try out some sort of trim on the horizontal pieces?
May 13th, 2009 08:08 am
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