Comments on: 11- Arts & Crafts Table (Pt. 4)

By: Ross Ekberg

Ross Ekberg — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 18:31:18 +0000

Great build, Marc. It’s a nice lookin’ table. My next build needs to be something simple, yet elegant like this.

By: PK

PK — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:15:28 +0000

Hehe yeah that would be a problem. I guess for my own sanity and just K.I.S.S. I will probably go with a fastener like the figure 8 or try the dowel method. Either way I appreciate the input and I will be sure to post the results.

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:20:33 +0000

Well if you actually glue the entire dado across the grain, you’ll definitely have problems. You might try gluing only the center part of the dado, leaving the ends unglued, but you will most likely find your table cupping over time. Or I should say if you top decides to cup, the structure isn’t doing anything to prevent it.

By: PK

PK — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:39:38 +0000

Ok, that certainly gives me a direction to head in the design process. Taking movement into account it seems that if only 2 of the 4 sides had a dado joint, on the sides that went across the grain, would allow for the lateral expansion of the grain. Perhaps this idea is short sighted. I very well may end up using the figure 8 fasteners. I just wanted to learn some of the options before making a decision, It’s fun knowing the why certain methods are better than others. Anyway thanks for the quick reply :D!!

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:59:24 +0000

Hey PK. You could always have the top connected to the base via dowels. As long as you allow for movement, you should be fine. Positioning them perfect is going to be a little tricky, but it can be done. If you secure the top into dados on the aprons, you need to figure out a way to allow the wood to move. If you glue the entire thing down, you will have problems down the line.

When it comes to allowing for wood movement, in a solid top, I find it very tricky to avoid using metal fasteners.

By: PK

PK — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 07:36:21 +0000

Quick question, well perhaps not so quick. I am just starting into fine woodworking i like the style of this table and am planing to make something similar but in dimensions suitable for a desk. So the question is how would one attach a table top without the use of fasteners. I really love the concept of creating furniture with nothing more than wood and some glue. Off the top of my head it would seem that having the cross members of the skirt have a little superior exposure and make a dado in the table top.

Anyway love the video for great hints/ideas on projects.

By: Jaze

Jaze — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:38:04 +0000

Yikes, that seems like I’d be buried in templates soon. I already have a hard time finding places to put jigs…

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:30:26 +0000

Its a good idea to get into the habit of making templates for all your curves, because you’ll never know when you’ll need them again. And should I ever need to make another one of these tables, I have the template there and ready to go.

By: Jaze

Jaze — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:25:26 +0000

A question on making the bottom rails: Why did you go through the time and effort of making a template for the curve? Since there were only two pieces, why didn’t you just mark the curve on the piece directly, and then follow the same steps that you used to make the template?

I could understand making a template for MANY identical pieces, but it seems to me that you made the same effort for 3 pieces when you only needed 2?

By: thewoodwhisperer

thewoodwhisperer — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:29:50 +0000

Wow Graham. I’ll take a compliment like that any day of the week! :) you and your wife are welcome here any time. ;)

Let me know how the bird box comes out.