Inlay Coffee Table in the Works.

bedway · January 27, 2008, 08:08:09 PM

Fastening stretchers to legs on a table i normally use double biscuts. This also works good for the legs to the top stretchers. If the joint is going to be subjected to a lot of stress i use pocket screws also. Ive built hundreds of tables/stands with this method and never had a joint faliure,,,bedway

SwampDonkey · January 27, 2008, 08:43:06 PM

Table top mounted, ready for sanding and polishing. ;D

SwampDonkey · January 27, 2008, 09:12:05 PM

WDH,

In the previous post you see the front and back rails? The cross members are inlayed into those first, then a strip of walnut 3/8" thick is fit into a groove about 1/2" deep. You can see one in post #23 on the back rail of picture two. Everything is super tight, in fact the glue causes a bit of swell and there ain't no way that's coming apart.

Anyway, the legs have grooves 1/4" deep into them cut 1-3/4"x1-1/2" for the rails. Once that framework of the shelf with just the back and front rails and the cross members are jointed and glued, I slide that onto the grooves of the legs. The rails of this piece are about 1/4" thinner than the left and right rails. The left and right rail are glued and slid on last with and they keep the main shelf from sliding backward or forward with a 1/4" overlap that extends toward those cross members. The rails are all glued to the leg grooves. I never saw any need to biscuit or dowel them because everything is tight fitting with the legs tending to pull tight into the rails. The glue is very strong and I challenge anyone to remove those rails without busting the legs up in the process. ;D

Dave Shepard · January 27, 2008, 09:21:33 PM

Wow! That is really awesome SwampDonkey! 8) 8)

Dave

Dodgy Loner · January 28, 2008, 03:49:39 PM

Beautiful table, SD!

You've been working fast. I can't wait to see it with a finish!

SwampDonkey · January 28, 2008, 04:27:47 PM

Hey Dodgy, long time no see. ;D

Applying the finish today. Got two applied already on the underside, shelf and legs.

sgtmaconga · January 28, 2008, 06:38:41 PM

I have been following this project and my wife just looked over my shoulder as she passed me. needless to say i now have another project added to my honey do list. great job

SwampDonkey · January 29, 2008, 06:35:05 PM

Three coats of finish. Going to give a light rub tomorrow and add another coat.

Dodgy Loner · January 30, 2008, 11:54:07 AM

Looks great, what kind of finish didja use?

SwampDonkey · January 30, 2008, 12:23:12 PM

Water based Varathane hard finish.

metalspinner · January 30, 2008, 08:15:12 PM

8) 8) 8)

You work fast! It must be cold up there. :D

That is another great project and had fun following it. What's next??? ;D

Coon · January 30, 2008, 11:42:11 PM

Great job there Swamp. I sure wshed my grandmother could have seen this table. She woulda got right on making one for ya just for something to do. ;)

Burlkraft · January 31, 2008, 08:00:49 AM

Good job SD 8) 8) 8)

That's one purdy table ;) ;) ;)

Loghead · January 31, 2008, 08:11:49 AM

great looking table and I bet its solid as a rock ;D ;D ;D

Norm · January 31, 2008, 10:22:26 AM

Very nice SD, always enjoy watching your projects.

SwampDonkey · January 31, 2008, 02:25:24 PM

Glad ya enjoyed the show folks. ;D I'm sure proud of those tables. And your right Loghead, when you take that coffee table in your hands you know you got something.

I just discovered something today while looking at some hardwood flooring and I'd like to know if anyone ever saws yellow birch crotch wood. I'd sure like to see what it looks like. From what I seen in the flooring, around the knots at least, it has figure much the same as walnut only thing it has a golden color to it. Yellow birch is nice wood to work with. Maybe roger 4400 can try some from his 40" Y. birch? 8)

IL Bull · January 31, 2008, 07:57:50 PM

Great Job!

Dodgy Loner · February 01, 2008, 08:59:28 AM

From what I've seen, most any hardwood can produce beautiful crotch wood. Based on my (limited) experience, walnut just seems to produce crotch wood without bark inclusions more often than other species. I've got some beautiful crotchwood stashed away from river birch, white oak, cherry, and walnut that's just sitting around waiting for my craftsmanship to improve the the point where I feel comfortable using it ;).

SwampDonkey · February 01, 2008, 09:43:51 AM

Yeah, yellow birch may be one of those trees with bark inclusions. I see some in Y birch burl products quite often, but it still sells well for good money. There is one fellow that produces $3000 bowls that wouldn't be any bigger than a football. Some include green stain or maybe foxfire fungus. Of course it's dead. I don't see anyone using crotch wood up here. But, I have not been to a lot of places to look for it. They mostly use figured woods like curly and birdseye.

ghulst · February 11, 2008, 06:53:09 AM

That is my kind of table. I love it. nice job.
Gary

Lud · February 16, 2008, 07:36:06 AM

SD ,
Nice top, nice table.

SwampDonkey · February 16, 2008, 11:58:40 AM

Yes, I wish I had one long before this.

I have a plywood table in the window now with my potted hardwood seeds.
Walnut, plum and oak. I put an extra 4 hours of light them in the evening.
Just potted them yesterday, so I won't see much sprouting for a
couple weeks at least.

cheers