One of our finds at the old engineering factory is these two wooden prototypes of the “James Table” – one of the products the factory was known for.
They had been leaning against this brick wall for a couple of decades, but the wood has been protected by a thick rubber covering.
It took a truck and a team of helpers to move them into a temporary workshop, where we started working on them just before lockdown.
After inspecting them, we tried a few techniques to get the heavy duty rubber off the wood, and ended up having to just pull it off like a band-aid, as the glue used was still very strong.
After thinking about what to do with these old James Table prototypes, we’ve decided to make them into awesome, giant tables for either a big patio, or a boardroom. Their unique angular shape, with some rounded edging, makes them not only interesting, but also a challenge to add legs strong enough to support the table top.
After looking for ideas and thinking a lot about it, we’ve decide to go with an angle iron frame and wooden legs, with our industrial style finish to it as well.
Here’s Sean measuring the angles, and cutting the angle iron on our ‘ancient’ metal cut-off saw. Telana in the meantime got stuck into cleaning out the cobwebs and years of dust, uncovering the black and blue paint under the rubber.
Now that lockdown is easing, we can get back to work on this table. We’ve got to finalise the legs and add them to the angle iron frame, and still decide what to do with the wood- sand it down and varnish? Or keep the black paint? Maybe use resin for an effect and stronger table top? Or glass?
PS: If you’d be interested in this table for your boardroom, or patio, get in touch with us so we can tailor it to your preferences.