I found an old Maple top in Boone (GovDeals Auction). Got it for $150
It had been used in the school Art Department and suffered the misfortune of various slings and arrows.
The bottom surface is 'pristine' in appearance save for the fact that it had been drilled to fasten a support or two over time. It appears to have the original finish.
My intention when purchasing this heavy top was to add a tail-vise or end-vise and such to create my own Sojberg!
Aside from the holes and abuse mentioned, above, there are at least three places on the ends where the lamentations are separating as much as six-inches into the top.
There are no dog holes, of course.
So, there is work to be done.
I haven't the equipment to saw the thing apart at the points where the individual boards are coming apart and I thought to simply leave well enough alone (used the best side for the top) if I could not find local help to properly cut it down, plane the smaller widths and re-laminate the thing.
As I am in no hurry - save one never knows when the grim reaper's coming to collect one (a consideration at my age, of course) - I thought to begin soliciting any experience and expert advice I might before embarking on the task or purchasing vise hardware and such.
In searching old threads I did notice comments relative to how hard Maple is on the tolls used to machine it - so I might not find anyone interesting in putting their nice equipment to work in helping me and may have to rely upon the tools I've acquired to effect any necessary machining.
I hope to be able to add a couple of images -
It had been used in the school Art Department and suffered the misfortune of various slings and arrows.
The bottom surface is 'pristine' in appearance save for the fact that it had been drilled to fasten a support or two over time. It appears to have the original finish.
My intention when purchasing this heavy top was to add a tail-vise or end-vise and such to create my own Sojberg!
Aside from the holes and abuse mentioned, above, there are at least three places on the ends where the lamentations are separating as much as six-inches into the top.
There are no dog holes, of course.
So, there is work to be done.
I haven't the equipment to saw the thing apart at the points where the individual boards are coming apart and I thought to simply leave well enough alone (used the best side for the top) if I could not find local help to properly cut it down, plane the smaller widths and re-laminate the thing.
As I am in no hurry - save one never knows when the grim reaper's coming to collect one (a consideration at my age, of course) - I thought to begin soliciting any experience and expert advice I might before embarking on the task or purchasing vise hardware and such.
In searching old threads I did notice comments relative to how hard Maple is on the tolls used to machine it - so I might not find anyone interesting in putting their nice equipment to work in helping me and may have to rely upon the tools I've acquired to effect any necessary machining.
I hope to be able to add a couple of images -
