The Hobnail

A custom coffee table creation in a modern interpretation of a Hobnail Chest.

Here it is, in its conceptual design phase (complete with awesome espresso machine):

We took this old style that was originally used to make safes with wide metal strapping and big headed nails called "hobnails". They looked like this:

and re-invented it for a coffee table design, with some more modern aesthetic details added. The doors and pulls for the doors are hidden among the bumps.

The aluminum corners and chrome wheels add a touch of modern hardware to this awesome old style.

We milled out a grid of holes to attach the "hobnails" in a perfect straight grid pattern.

A first coat of finish, then the hobnails were applied.

The water based dye and waterborne lacquer were then applied to give it its final finish sheen.

A thick slab of polished glass is added to the top, giving a flat surface without having to cover any of the "hobnails". And the modern touches of aluminum corners, chrome wheels and dome headed bolts complement the rest of the Project.