«Trama» Outdoor Coffee Table
Iroko, elondo and 44 dominoes: an outdoor coffee table made with your own hands, ready to take on sun, coffee and the years.
The «Trama»: seven slats and not a screw in sight.
An outdoor coffee table in solid wood. Its top combines seven slats of iroko (light) and elondo (dark) with a uniform 5 mm gap that sets the visual rhythm of the piece. The whole structure — top frame, legs and lower frame — is joined with Domino tenons.
How you'll make it.
Seven stages, from rough board to the terrace. The golden rule: measuring and dry-fitting before gluing prevents almost every mistake.
You mark out the cutting list on the iroko and elondo boards, cut with 20 mm of margin and get the pieces flat and square with the workshop machines.
Seven slats laid out on the bench in order, alternating light and dark, with 5 mm gaps measured with a gauge. A common reference line, and every piece numbered 1 to 7.
You offer up the top frame at the ends, transfer each joint in pencil and mark the joints for the legs and lower frame, always with two dominoes per joint.
Two sizes of tenon: 8 × 20 × 50 in the top and 10 × 20 × 50 in the legs and frames, switching cutter and depth. Wood held with clamps and a slow, controlled cut.
Dominoes without glue, side frames first, then rails and slats. The dress rehearsal: square, alignment and those 5 mm at every gap.
Grits 120, 180 and 220, glue in the mortises and dominoes, assembly by subassemblies and clamps with even pressure. And one last check for square before leaving it to dry.
Rubio Monocoat DuroGrit oil: spread it, let it work for a few minutes and wipe off with the grain. The wood is protected from within, ready to head out to the terrace.
What you'll learn.
Real solid wood
Marking out, cutting oversize and getting pieces flat and square with the jointer, thicknesser and sliding table saw.
Composing a table top
Playing with the colour, width and grain of two woods, keeping a constant visible 5 mm gap.
The Festool Domino
Marking and cutting 44 joints with the DF500, adjusting cutter and depth for each piece, and clamping up without losing square.
The result.
Before you even ask.
Do I need any previous experience?
It's an intermediate-difficulty project. You don't need to be a carpenter, but you'll find it more comfortable if you've already done a first project. Before using each machine you'll be taught its safe cutting technique.
Will it really survive outdoors?
Yes. Iroko and elondo are tropical hardwoods that stand up to moisture, and Rubio Monocoat DuroGrit protects by penetrating the fibre. A combination designed for outdoor furniture.
How long will it take me?
The guide estimates around 15 hours of work. Split them however you like: in the workshop you go at your own pace, with a technician nearby to answer questions.
What if I get a step wrong?
The guide is built to prevent it: you assemble the entire table dry before gluing, and you always cut with extra allowance, leaving room to adjust.
Is it safe to work with the machines?
Each machine has its rules of use, and PPE is mandatory and included. The guide tells you at every step which protection you need.
What does the price include?
The wood, the dominoes, the glue, the oil, use of machines and tools, the PPE and your workshop time. You leave with the finished table.
If you need any adjustments to take part comfortably, let us know when you sign up and we'll have it ready.
Llévate solo la guía, en PDF.
La misma guía paso a paso que seguimos en el taller para construir ««Trama» Outdoor Coffee Table»: planos acotados, despiece, orden de montaje y los trucos de ebanista. Por 15 €, tuya para siempre — bueno, el enlace de descarga dura 30 días, así que no lo dejes criar polvo.
Start whenever you like. The clock doesn't tick until your first day.
Buy "«Trama» Outdoor Coffee Table" today and come to the workshop when you genuinely can: your access time starts the day of your first QR check-in, not the day you pay. You build with our machines, our wood, and the team close by to lend a hand.
- The wood and all the project materials
- The complete guide in PDF, yours from minute one
- Workshop access: 1 full month or 2 months of half-days — you choose, same price
- The workshop team close by whenever you need them
Interested in this project?
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