Table Topper Project

question

For this project, my group and I were tasked with creating two table toppers for Ms. Chai's Art and Fashion Design class tables.

brainstorm

For our brainstorm, we mainly focused on getting a basic idea of what a table topper is and then we started to measure the actual table in Ms. Chai's room.

plan & Design

For our prototype, we got the measurements and started sketching the cut-out of our wood. Then we cut our wood and added supports under the main table topper wood. We then took it to Ms. Chai's room to see if it fits and it does. Now we started really working on the real table topper since we know our prototype measurements work.

Build & create

We worked on constructing the table topper by cutting the wood to fit the table’s dimensions and selecting support pieces to hold it securely in place. We then assembled and attached the supports underneath, ensuring the toppers both fit properly onto the table. As we prepared it for submission, we tested and readjusted several screws to improve stability and achieve a cleaner, more finished look.

test & analyze

We placed the table topper onto the actual table in Ms. Chai’s classroom and show problems with the wood warping that prevented it from sitting flat along the edges. To address this, we tested alternative wood pieces and replaced materials to improve the fit and overall stability of the topper. We put them on the edges to hope to add weight on the edges as well as to have a tighter fit on the table itself. Once we finished that, we sanded the surface thoroughly and applied Emmett’s Good Stuff. We put on multiple coats and buffed it to achieve a smooth surface.

final product

These are the final table topper products. We are really proud of the way it turned out even after the warping and the gaps in the end because overall, it was a successful project. Ms. Chai is really pleased with our work and is excited to have her art students use it in their own projects.