Black Cherry Four-Post Table

Putting the finishing coats of Polyurethane Finish on Dennis & Clarissa's table. Next up: two benches to match.

BACK STORY: The Cherry wood came from some logs that they were clearing for a subdivision where we were working in Illinois a few years back. I couldn't bare to see all that American Black Cherry wood go up in smoke. So I started cutting and loading a few logs everyday after work and taking them to the nearby sawmill. Hank Whitehurst was his name. He was pushing 80 and was tickled to help a young "whipper-snapper" learn the trade.

He worked with  me on and off in my spare time for several years until I moved away. He not only sawed the logs for me, he helped me get started in woodworking. He showed me various old school tricks and techniques. Not long after I moved, I got word that Hank had sawed his thumb off. Some time later, Papaw (who kept in regular contact with him and was who introduced me to him) mentioned that his Sawmill had burnt to the ground. Something about sawdust and electricity. Very sad to imagine the old cant hook, bandsaw and antique tools he had lying and hanging about returning to the ashes/dust. Not to mention the oak logs/lumber and various other species that make me nauseous to think about.

This is turning into a sad story pretty quick, but not long after that, Hank passed away. I must pay homage in some small measure to his kindness and influence on my life. Teaching me; taking time out from his own projects to saw my logs, and so on. 

This table is made with Black Cherry wood. But they are not just a few boards, they are an event or perhaps a connected series of events. There are not many planks left from that stack of Cherry I hauled down here to Texas. I don't look at it, but what I don't think of Hank.