Hickory Trestle Table

[Bill Holt]

One more thought:  have you searched for pecan instead of hickory?  

I ran into this twice: first time, lady wanted a pecan blanket chest; second time, I needed hickory for bent laminated chair arms.  Both times Central Hardwoods asked if it "mattered" and gave me a similar explanation.  The pecan and hickory I received would never pass for the other.  The pecan had a pinkish look, while the hickory was blonde.

[firefighter]

Have you considered a thin veneer over a glue up? Make a thin veneer and it should blend with a routed edge. Either veneer all sides or just cover the glue up.

I'm not talking about rollout stick on veneer. I'm thinking resawing your own for best grain match. Probably about 1/8" thick.

[McApple]

I used 1/8" cherry veneer on my speaker boxes. The boxes were made with 1" high-density particle board, and I used contact cement as the adhesive; even then there has been some splitting over the years. If you glue the veneer to a wooden substrate, respecting the grain configuration, you shouldn't have any problems.

[Bill Holt]

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I had not thought about veneer.  It is not in my comfort zone.  The bases, as drawn, have a 5" ogee on each end.  

For many years, when someone ask: "Can you...".  My response has been, "Given enough time and enough money, I can do anything."  In this case, there will be no "money".

Ok, back to the veneer, would I need to steam bend the veneer or use a "negative" form of the ogee?

I greatly appreciate all the feedback; reminds me of the statement "it takes a village".

[ajkoontz]

I'd do a glue up if I were in a hurry. Hickory grows everywhere around me and I've never seen it commercially available at the sizes you need. Around here (central IN), you could get some milled easy enough but then you'd have to kiln dry or wait forever.


spitballing other ideas...
- I think you've already shot this down, but use a different wood for the base. Maybe go with a black (contrasting) base, or I'd bet you could get close enough with another species that most people wouldn't notice.
-ditch the ogee and do something blocky so you can go the veneer route. I personally would stay away from veneering, but that's mostly just a me thing.

[Danny in Houston]

In Texas use pecan, it's nearly the same as hickory but typically much more beautiful.   Readily available is all dimensions in Texas.

[Bill Holt]

In Texas use pecan, it's nearly the same as hickory but typically much more beautiful.   Readily available is all dimensions in Texas.

I offered pecan and explained the close association with hickory, but she chose hickory and glue-ups.

I thought I had done a small bent lamination project with hickory, but Central Hardwoods told me "We do not carry hickory, if you bought the wood from us, it was pecan."  I have no doubt they explained that to me at the time.

Hickory and pecan may be in the same family, but this hickory seems much harder than any pecan I have ever worked.  The first mortice took more than 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!

[JosephP]

In Texas use pecan, it's nearly the same as hickory but typically much more beautiful.   Readily available is all dimensions in Texas.

I'd suggest "more consistent" only because "beautiful" is in the eye of the beholder.  Some would prefer the color variation hickory offers even over Pecan.  I'm not suggesting this is a bad suggestion (I made the same above...).

Glad she was OK with glueups though... should look great!  You have also discovered why hickory or pecan  isn't found in much early American furniture or cabinetry...it's always been pretty.  But imagine working it with softer metals, no power tools, etc...