Oyster Shucking Table

Getting to be that time of year temperature dropping and months with R in it means one thing Oyster season!! let build a collapsible oyster table

Step 1: Go to the Lumber Yard

I was given a great budget on this project so i wanted to make a fantastic table that will last a life time. Went to the local specialty wood store picked out 21 board feet of walnut. total cost $198.00

Step 2: Lay It Out

Loaded it up and took it home and started the design placement of the wood.

Step 3:

then prepped the wood using my jointer and table saw. Jointing one side and table saw the other side to give me a straight piece of wood to work with.

Step 4: Mark for Pocket Holes

I wanted a roughly 32 inch by 72 inch table

Step 5: Pocket Holes

I marked the holes on 1 foot increments staggering the holes so there it will provide the best result. 1 screw every 6 inches. using bar clamps and regular clamps to help the wood stay straight.

Step 6: Trim Edges Square

Once i had it screwed together i turned it over and trimmed the end square using a straight edge.

Step 7: Add Strength

I trimmed down some walnut to 1.5 inches and made a rectangle 12 inches smaller than the table top leaving 6 inches of over hang again using glue and pocket holes secure it to the under side.

Step 8: Add the Edge

I used more 1.5 inch trim to give the table .75 inch lip this will keep the oysters from slipping off. I used brad nails and glue to secure it to the table.

Step 9: Roundover

Using a 3/8 round over bit I rounded the underside and both the inside edge and the outside edge of the lip.

Step 10: Circle Jig

I made a circle jig from some scrap melamine. Found center of the top and cut a 9 inch circle in the center.

Step 11: Mistake!!

i hit a pocket hole not thinking of looking under to see if i was going to miss them. so i drilled a hole and finished it off with the jig saw. Then using a flush trim bit finished the hole off. Then round-over bit to take away the edge.

Step 12: Fill the Gaps

I used epoxy with black paint to fill all the large holes and knots in the wood and also the parts of the wood that didn't seat well in the glue up.

Step 13: SAND Sand and More Sanding!!!

Walnut is a hard wood and took a lot of sanding. I couldn't be more happy with the epoxy first time trying this was nervous but it turned out great.

Step 14: Finishing the Top

I used a water based polyurethane and the wood looked so good!!! I am thinking of switching to a epoxy finish so it will stand up to the heat better. leave a comment below if you have any ideas.

Step 15: Add Legs

ok so this was a toughy this table is not a everyday use so i wanted to make it folding so it can be easily stored away for when its not in used so this is what i came up with and it works great.

Step 16:

I then added a support to each side so the trash can can still fit.

Step 17: Sand the Base

I wanted it to look cool so i sanded it with a grinder and burnt the wood with a torch to make the grain pop then added a coat of dark walnut to the match the top. I will probably change out the wood to a walnut. I didn't feel like experimenting with 200 dollar wood. But was happy enough with the finish project for this year.

Step 18: Condiment and Towel Holder

This is a must have if you are eating oysters just went to the local hardware store and picked up some black pipe and made a small basket with the remaining pieces of the walnut left over. this really polished off the project.

Step 19: Show Off Time

I am very happy with this project and cant wait to each many bushels of oyster, shrimp and crayfish for years to come thanks for taking interest in my work and let me know if you have any questions or comments.