Floating Top Entry Table

This mitered case and veneered top make this project an interesting challenge.

- By Abdul Haseeb Ahmed

This floating top entry table was a project that I designed and built for the 2025 Grizzly Makers Challenge.

As with most of my projects, I try to add in elements that challenge me and make me a better woodworker.

Some of the challenges on this table are apparent when you first look at it, while others are more subtle. The top features a sunburst style veneer, and getting the proper grain match and tight seams can be a bit of a trick. The front of the doors is covered in a variety of geometric shapes (triangles) that are actually thin veneers glued in place.

One of the subtle details that I believe helps complete the look of this table is the grain-matched miters of the case, as well as the bent lamination edging around the top.

Hardwood Case

Before diving into the construction of the case, there is a bit of prep work to do. The top of the table is veneered with that radial veneer. A balance veneer needs to be applied to the bottom of the top before we do anything else. This can be glued in place with PVA glue. If you don’t have a vacuum bag, heavy weights (such as car batteries) work well to clamp this as it dries.

The case of this entry table is built out of white oak. I glued up three pieces of stock to get it to the final width. My material here is long enough to get all of the parts out of, so I'll have a grain match on three of the corners.