What Makes Our Tables Different?

Lets talk tables for a minute.

Here at Old Man & Magpie HQ we like to think we know a thing or two about making tables.

During and ever since the first lockdown when folks shifted to home working we have produced hundreds of bespoke table and desk tops. We like to think ours stand out due to the time and effort we put in to them and our customers seem to feel the same way. That isn’t to take anything away from other super talented makers who produce such fantastic work but we like to feel we go the extra mile and prefer to over engineer these timeless pieces…I may be biased, though.

So what makes them different than other tables on the market.

Firstly - we have over 70 years joinery and carpentry experience here in the workshop.

We also use reassuringly solid 33mm FSC certified European redwood that is planed, jointed and then sanded to a wonderfully flat finish.

Unlike a lot of tables (and furniture in general) currently available we don’t hide behind words such as ‘reclaimed’ ‘salvaged’ or ‘rustic’ to excuse poor craftsmanship and unstable and unusable work surfaces.

We use the latest and most modern tool tech to joint the boards to create the bespoke width and then we go all old fashioned and traditional by adding what is known as a ‘breadboard end’.

These ‘breadboards’ serve two purposes. They are a decorative feature, adding an interesting element to the table’s design and they are functional, helping to aid in maintaining the structure and stability of the large center table panels as they naturally expand and contract.

As the seasons change, real solid wood will move across the grain, expanding in warm weather and shrinking in cold weather. The breadboard end allows this movement to occur and acts as a stabilizer and guide of sorts. When the jointed wood panels of a table moves naturally, the connection to the breadboard end helps prevent it from expanding to the point of cracking or shrinking to the point of cupping.

A breadboard end will either fall short (by that we mean it will look shrunk in) of the panel edge or will extend past (swell out) it depending on the season. It may not be perfectly flush all the time. Remember that if the breadboard end ‘moves’ with expansion or contraction of the wood, it will move back as the centre paneling moves again.

A breadboard end is a functional decoration that gives an appealing look while it does an important job. The appearance of movement with the breadboard end is not a defect. It’s actually a sign that your table is made well and that the wood is moving as natural wood does and the breadboard end is helping to stabilize it.

**Important note: The position of the breadboard end is an indication of what your table is doing. It is normal for the wood to move, but it is also a reminder to keep a check on the humidity in your home that must be managed to protect your solid wood furniture.

So with all that said, why not take a look at some of our custom options and if you can’t see what you need please don’t hesitate to get in touch directly.

Garry | OM&M ↟

Information researched from the internet and joinery books - a special shout out to dutchcrafters.com for lots of breadboard info.