Combining two tables into one and laser engraving parts.

By kirsty macdonaldFurniture, Personalised gifts, Projects
Finished table top

Combining two tables into one!

I was asked to make my clients table bigger using their parents old table, I love challenges like this.  Sometimes you don’t even know if these things are possible until you start but I was starting with two lovely tables so the end result had to be equally lovely!

They wanted something meaningful engraved onto the side of the new extension which had to be done before combining into the original table so that it would fit into the machine on its edge, an engraving on the leg of their table and an engraving with dates on the underside of the new part.  For an idea of the types of files required look at this page Designing artwork for laser cutting

Original Table
Original table
Parents Table
Clients Parents Table to be used to combine with their own table.

The starting point of how to combine the tables before laser work.

The starting point was to take all the legs off and to remove the finish off both table tops and see what I was dealing with.

Then chop up the long one into sections that could be combined into the original table.

This then meant the edge could be engraved prior to glueing it onto the original table.

It was then time to get the legs engraved – this just fitted in the machine and worked well.  If it hadn’t of fitted, the legs would of needed to be taken apart to be lasered then reassembled.  This was a bonus!

table engraving on edge

Laser engraving table legs
Table legs in laser machine

Combining both tables after lasering.

Once all the parts had been lasered it was time to glue up the new table and glue all the leaves up as well.  Then it was a case of adjusting and checking that the leaves still tucked away as they did before  – minor adjustments made it was then time to add the finish.  I decided to keep the legs as they were, the new refinished top went well with it.  The combined tables did not look like they had been chopped up, an amazing combination!

 

Finished table top
table with extensions

The finished combination.

The lasered parts are subtle and you only know they’re there if you know where to look.

Its a very fitting tribute to a family piece that was destined for sale had we not been able to combine the two!  It was great to be able to do that and for it to mean so much.

Get in touch if you have a furniture project in mind.  http://www.skfurnituredesign.co.uk