Floating Top Table

This Floating Top Side Table is a modern interpretation of the classic "floating top table". This top really does float, on opposed super-magnets. Thin dowels merely act as alignment pins. The magnets will support a half-litre drink without bottoming out. This piece was made in response to a challenge on the theme "blue-grass" for a local Bluegrass music festival.

The top is Birds-eye Maple. Since it is under 1/2" in thickness, it has 3 reinforcing ribs on the underside to reduce seasonal wood movement. The the middle is Tapped Sugar Maple. The legs are Roasted Sugar Maple. The finish is Tung Oil, which has darkened the Roasted Maple legs to look almost black. The legs are held in place with quick-connect Shoulder Bolts.

This table will be shipped unassembled. All that is required is to attach the legs to the middle shelf using the quick-connect bolts, then set the top in place using the alignment dowels. Even so, shipping wood is expensive.

This is a conversation-starter as well as a practical item.