End tables

Project: End tables

At some point every woodworker makes a small table, usually shaker inspired. Since I'm not a big fan of the shaker style, I decided to go all out and design a table whit a lot of curves and odd angles.

Jointing perfectly

September 17, 2013

As far as I’m concerned, the last big job is done. Panel glue ups used to be  something that terrified me, because so much can go wrong. Over time I have come up with a system that works for me almost every time, even if the boards aren’t perfectly flat. The following series of images will show you how I make large panels.

Step one is to joint the edges of two adjacent boards. The best way to do this, is with a method communally used in the hand tool world. Jointing edges is something that is a lot harder to do by hand then by machine, thus people came up with book matched jointing. To do this lay the boards down as they would be glued up, and then fold them together as if you where closing a book. Roughly line up the edges, and then clamp the boards together. The benefit of this process, is that your jointer fence doesn’t have to be perfectly square to the bed.

book match jointing

book match jointing

Once the boards are all edge jointed it’s time to glue them up, and the best way to to do that is with a clamping jig, & cauls. The clamping jig is nothing more than two boards that have slots cut across them that hold your clamps up off the table in the vertical position. The only dimension of real importance is the height of the boards, you want them to be high enough so that you can clear the heads of the clamps that you are to clamp the cauls with. Continue Reading…

Posted in: Power Tool Woodworking
Part of the Project

The end of end tables

October 18, 2013

Last week before a trip to Dallas, I finished off the end tables. They are now proudly setting in my family room on either end of my sofa. The following photos are of the end tables just after being waxed.
Continue Reading…

Posted in: Power Tool Woodworking
Part of the Project