The versatility of R-Cast™ acrylic is nearly limitless. As part of a project for a private residence, designer Mitchel Berman worked with Pierre at Architectural Plastics in creating a massive dining room table that is entirely transparent. R-Cast™ acrylic was used for the base and the pedestals for the table. The lower base is 2 inches thick (5.1cm) with scroll feet that are 3 inches thick (7.6cm), bringing the total base thickness to 5 inches (12.7cm). The two pedestals to support the table top were turned from two 11-inch (28cm) blocks of clear acrylic.

Pierre explained that fabricating acrylic of this size is quite difficult, as any bubbles or flaws in the glue are immediately noticeable and cannot be fixed. The scroll work at the bottom of the table was accomplished by routing the side edges to obtain a ¼ inch x ¼ inch (6.4mm x 6.4mm) reveal. The curvature of these scrolls required that much of this be completed by hand.

In order to minimize any potential imperfections from the gluing process, the shapes of the panel and the feet were pre-routed prior to gluing (there are four glue joints in the lower platform).

The table’s pedestals were formed on a lathe, then sanded and polished to achieve absolute clarity. The pedestals were then glued to the top platform and then later to the lower platform. Pierre states that the final two glue joints had to be done simultaneously while trying to stabilize 250 pounds (113.4kg) of acrylic and prevent any bubbles from forming in the glue.

The table base weighs about 400 pounds (181.4kg) and measures 48 inches long x 18 inches wide x 28 inches high (1.1m L x 45.7cm W x 71.1cm H). A 2 inch thick (5.1cm) glass oval measuring 49 inches wide x 85 inches long (124.5cm W x 216cm L) rests on top of this pedestal base.