Marco Levy, Marri Coffee Table with Jarrah Burl and Epoxy Chess Board (Student)

The marri coffee table, with a jarrah burl and epoxy chess board that I made for my major project was inspired by my strong passion that I have for chess. I purchased both the marri and jarrah from Western Australia from The Fine Timber Company, and Slab and Burl Hardwoods. The jarrah burl chess squares required me to cut the live edge of a burl into small triangles that I would glue together to make a larger triangle, and then glue two larger triangles to make a square. I purchased the LuciClear epoxy from Trend Timbers in Windsor, Sydney. This jarrah burl and epoxy chess board is a really unique feature that I believe complements the colours and grain of the marri coffee table. The construction process of making this coffee table required me to complete the resin pours with the construction of the coffee table to maximise time efficiency. I decided to build a solid base for the marri slab to be placed because the slab did have some cracks and spilts that were strengthened with butterfly keys and biscuits that are on the underside of the tabletop. Overall, I was really pleased with how the jarrah burl chess squares had a floating effect when cast in the clear epoxy. Special mention must go to my very talented and patient woodwork teacher Mr Brian Davey from The King’s School for his continuous support and advice throughout the year to make this unique project become my major project for the HSC. He inspired me to make the jarrah burl and epoxy chess board and I will never forget making this project! Marco Levy, Year 12, The King’s School

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