"I'm back on the laptop" > writes:

> David Dyer-Bennet > wrote in
> :
>
>
>>
>> I once had a chance at a table about that size, and possibly heavier;
>> though not as cool. It had a plate-glass top, and the base was welded
>> up from old bank window bars. But it was down in Dubuque Iowa, and
>> I'm in Minneapolis Minnesota, and the only possible way to move it
>> involved renting a truck, driving both ways (meaning about 10 hours).
>> And loading and unloading were still going to be exciting. So I
>> didn't.
>
>
> Bummer. Old bank windows base, and a *huge* glass top would have been
> quite a center piece to any dining room.
>
> I had a table custom made for me back in 2000..... made out of Brazilian
> Mahogany, 10&1/2' long and 4' wide. The top was made from just 3 slabs
> of timber, and the whole thing was held together by 2 screws.
> The guy who made it was my best friends father, and he was an absolute
> artisan!!

That sounds really fantastic.

> We sat and talked for hours on end about design structure, dimensions
> etc.... he drew up some plans and went to work.
> At the end of it, all he wanted was the cost of the timber ($1,000), and
> it was a frikken masterpiece!! Underneath the table was polished to the
> same sheen as the top!!

I'm not much of a woodworker in general; but doing finishes is one of my
extra special weaknesses. I simply don't have the patience to do a good
job on finishes.

> I'd had the table for awhile and did one move with it, and was freaking
> out that it would get damaged. Thankfully it didn't, and the removalist
> almost quit before the move finished!! :-)
> When I moved I actually had to look for a house that would 'fit' the
> table.

If I had a table like that, I'd sure pick a house it went well with!

> Anyways, after about 12 months, I was discussing with my best mate about
> getting a brass plaque made up with her dad's name on it,date of
> manufacture etc, and getting him to use an engraving tool to sign his
> name on the plaque, when he got really sick and ended up in hospital.
> He died within about 2 weeks.
> I've kicked myself since about not getting some more furniture done by
> him, and not getting the plaque put on when we first discussed it.

That's too bad. You might still do the plaque...oh, reading ahead I see
that's irrelevant.

> Then I made the decision that I was going to 'emigrate' to Tasmania, and
> knew that I'd be heart broken if the table was in any way damaged during
> transit..... so I made the decision to sell it.

Interesting. It sure would have cost the Earth to ship anywhere far,
too.

> I advertised it, and got 3 solid offers within a couple of days after
> the potential buyers had come to view it. One for $5.75k, one for $6.5K
> and another for $7.5k.

Those offers don't seem unreasonble, not that I'm used to dealing with
furniture at that level.

> Before taking the highest offer, I spoke to my best mate and her
> family.... and then sold it back to them for what I paid for it.

Oh, nice. Having it with that family would be the only thing to make me
satisfied giving it up, I suspect.

> I'm still ****ed off with myself about the plaque idea, but happy that
> the table is with people who knew the builder, knew what he did, and
> that will love and cherish it as a family heirloom (which is basically
> what I wanted it for).
>
> The other buyers just wanted a huge you-beaut beautiful lookin' table.

Might have become a family heirloom for them too -- but without the
connection you or the original family has, so this is better.

>>> So now I'm trying to think of something made of wood that will
>>> complement the table....... because that's where I want *our* present
>>> to reside :-)
>>
>> Salad bowl? With serving implements, hand-carved.
>
>
> I think my mates wife would already have something like that :-)
> But thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah, kind of basic, I agree.

>>> The food........ well, his wife and I get on like a house on fire, as
>>> she is the same as me. She does *all* the cooking...... no-one brings
>>> *any* food to the party whatsoever.
>>
>> That's one of the interesting divides. For some kinds of parties I
>> really don't want people messing me up by bringing random stuff. For
>> other kinds of gatherings, though, a little help is appreciated.
>> Anything but off-brand soda :-) .
>
> My parties have strict rules...... bring no food, and if you drink
> anything other than red wine or bubbly, you have to bring your own
> drinks :-)

It really helps to tell people what you want; easier for the guests to
get it right.
--
David Dyer-Bennet, ; http://dd-b.net/
Snapshots: http://dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/data/
Photos: http://dd-b.net/photography/gallery/
Dragaera: http://dragaera.info