Table leg question

[gsmittle]

LOML has comissioned a table for her mom & dad. I'm using Nahm's English Server plans, but using quartersawn white oak instead of the specified pine.

The legs are straight for the top 6" or so (don't remember exactly and don't have the plans in front of me), then taper on two sides. I know that to get the lovely ray figure on all four sides of the legs, I'll have to cut the legs as four sides with mitered edges and then glue them together. What I don't know is what will cutting the taper do to the miters, appearance, etc.??????

Would I be better off using a straight leg? I'd rather taper the legs because it looks better to me. Am I worrying too much about this? Should I just cut the legs from a solid piece and not worry about the two non-rayed sides?

Am I up waaaaaaaay too late?

That one I can answer: Yes.

g.

[Popeye]

I think I'd use solid legs and put te QS side out. Pat

[ChrisD]

Another option is to go for riftsawn stock, where the annual rings run 45 degrees on the end grain as opposed to 90 on quartersawn stock. Riftsawn material gives you mostly straight grain on 4 faces, which is appropriate for longitudinal pieces like table legs. You can always showcase the quartersawn features on other parts.

[onedash]

Another option is to go for riftsawn stock, where the annular rings run 45 degrees on the end grain as opposed to 90 on quartersawn stock. Riftsawn material gives you mostly straight grain on 4 faces, which is appropriate for longitudinal pieces like table legs. You can always showcase the quartersawn features on other parts.

I agree. Unfortunately I learned this after making several legs that were not uniform at all. I put the best sides forward. I glued up two pieces to get the thickness I wanted which also led to less desirable appearance. Should have ordered some 8/4....

[cabinetman]

Next time you need larger stock for legs, check some of the suppliers for "turning stock". At times I get great deals on sizes that fit the bill without having to buy large thick boards or do glue ups.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[gsmittle]

Next time you need larger stock for legs, check some of the suppliers for "turning stock". At times I get great deals on sizes that fit the bill without having to buy large thick boards or do glue ups.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

Thanks for the advise--wish I'd thought of that before I bought the lumber....

Chris, I ended up buying the riftsawn for the legs--looks like it'll do fine.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.

I found a great lumber yard here in St. Louis: Lumber Logs LLC. It's two guys who pick up logs cut down in the city and saw them into usable hardwood. Their prices are über reasonable--I paid $3.25 a bf for 4/4 quartersawn white oak, as opposed to $5.59 elsewhere. I left behind a 17 inch by 12 foot long 4/4 plank. I didn't have room for it in the 'Burb.

Joe (the guy there Saturday morning) said he'd give me a real good deal on cherry, as long as I took 500 or more bf.

Two requirements: you have to buy a minimum of $150 at a time, and they don't take plastic, but do take checks.

The phone number is: 314-570-1175. Ask for Tom. They're open by appointment only.

g.