Serenity's Galley Table from Firefly

T

taiden

New Member
table.png


This is going to be my little build log of my favorite kitchen table from film. The apartment needs a new table, and I am going to build it to be like the table from Serenity's galley in Firefly.

I welcome any comments, ideas, research tips, resources etc.

This will be my first prop build, and HOPEFULLY MY LAST! :lol

Oh yeah, look at Jayne up there. Not sure if he's cracking off a burp or what.
 
So, first thing's first. I poked around the internet and tried to get some good photos. I came up with these, among others. I noticed that each end seems to be held up by a small restaurant table. One has a circular base (above) and one has a cross base (below).

There also appears to be some kind of steel rim on the underside. Perhaps nothing more than bolted angle iron. It appears the designer tried to put his version of a sci-fi scrap made farm table together, and as such the construction must be crude yet classy. Function appears to be key here.

Finally, while not part of the project, this final photo gives a good look at the centerpiece, which may be made as a side project at a later date. Strangely enough, they appear to be different than the ones in film. So might be best to ignore them for now.

table-back.jpg


table-side.jpg


browncoats-unite.jpg
 
That would be sweet! :thumbsup I think the metal lip on the underside looks like it is made with Aluminum. To shiny to be raw steel. Aluminum would be lighter as wall.

It should be a fairly easy build as well, some 2X6 cut to length with a slight beval oround the edges will be the hardest part. So not that hard at all. :)

Good luck sourcing the table legs. :thumbsup

The last picture centerpieces look like bamboo tortilla warmers or part of a bamboo rice steamer?

Avolow.
 
Got in touch with the set designer for Firefly. He says it's rough cut lumber that was then stained. Trying to get some more details from him, but that was above and beyond the call of duty to even answer my email in the first place. I'm trying to determine the dimension of lumber, but 2x8 by 8 foot seems reasonable.

He did say that "The center piece light was made at the last minute for joss and the director of photography on the day. It's made from a pair of Japanese rattan steamers that are seperated with small diameter dowel."

That info should make short work of that project if and when I get to it.
 
Based on this pic, I'd say the lumber is 2x8s. If you look at Nathan Fillion on the right, his hands are almost exactly spanning one board. Based on measuring my own (average sized) hand (and assuming Nathan also has average sized hands, and not freakishly large or freakishly small hands), that would back up the 2x8 size.

browncoats-unite.jpg


Also, note that a 2x8 is actually 1 1/2 x 7 1/4
 
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I am guessing those are 2x8's. If you look at the table as a whole you can see the 6 - 2x8 boards would make a 43.5 inch wide table. 2x10's would make a 55.5 inch wide table. If you figure that the average dining table is 29-30 inches high. the 43.5 inch width would make sense. No matter which size you go for this is going to be an awesome looking table.
 
That makes sense. My biggest hiccup is trying to locate the table bases without spending huge amounts of money.
 
there is a local business near us called hotel to home. They take furniture from remodeled and refurbished hotels, clean them up and resell them to the public... could try some place like that.
 
Quick update, got another email with more info on the original table.

"I believe we had a square stock frame built underneath the wooden planks that tied into the two different table bases. It just gave the timber support that the two bases couldn't provide."

"I actually think the planking is 2x8 material now that I look at it again. So that will tell you the width. The length of the table to accommodate three to a side had to of been at the very least seven foot. But I don't think the table was eight feet long."

That should cover the final bits of info.
 
Taiden, thanks so much for this info, I have been wanting to attempt the table. I even have a few screen used Salt shakers from the series. One thing to note, the table from the anniversary special is a new build, not the one from the series or BDM.
 
Do you have details on the shakers? I was wondering about that. They look like old diner stamped pewter shakers you see at state fairs for things like powdered sugar.
 
Dakhahn said:
I am guessing those are 2x8's. If you look at the table as a whole you can see the 6 - 2x8 boards would make a 43.5 inch wide table. 2x10's would make a 55.5 inch wide table. If you figure that the average dining table is 29-30 inches high. the 43.5 inch width would make sense. No matter which size you go for this is going to be an awesome looking table.
Click to expand...

I think your calculation is slightly off. a 2x8 is actually only 8.5 inches wide, so they are probably 2x10's. (9.5 inches wide). I think the measurement taken with the papers is skewed because of the angle of the paper on the table...but that's just my 2 cents
 
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