Tweet
A few weeks ago, they built a chunky coffee table on Ask This Old House that I liked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoY8wGTst8U
I had some leftover butcherblock from my recent kitchen work that would work nicely. I also had some redwood 4x4s and 2x6s that used to be a bed frame and was also what introduced me to Rockler and subsequently woodworking 15 years ago. The top of the table is 14" high--not too tall, but tall enough for me to slide my crossed legs under the apron comfortably to use as a game table with the family.
I had the day off work and the kids were at daycare so I had all day to myself. I spent the morning tidying up the shop and then got to work milling up the redwood. The new jointer/planer made quick work of that. The segmented cutters also did well with the knots. My lunchbox would definitely have chewed them up roughly. It's been a long time since I worked with anything that was legitimately square. So nice. I didn't really measure to any particular size. I milled the 4x4s until everything was square--they ended up around 3 1/8" square. I made the 2x6s S4S, then ripped them to 2 1/2" wide x 1 1/4" thick.
Instead of joining the apron to the legs with pocket screws like they did in the show, I used my Domino. After careful setup, I milled all the slots and did a dry fit. Everything is nice and tight.
I notched the corners with a jigsaw like Tommy but his are definitely better than mine. I didn't need to bang the top in with a hammer like Tommy, though. The blue tape helped me orient the legs to each other so I didn't miscut the slots. The legs checked many, many years ago so I'm pretty sure they have stabilized by now. The table looks square, but it's 31" x 25.5".
I decided to leave the legs 1/8" proud of the top. Right now the long sections are glued up and in clamps. I'll glue up the whole thing before shutting it down tonight. I've got to do some roundovers or chamfers on all the sharp edges, sand, and then finish. I'm pleased with it so far.
Thanks for looking,
Paul
I had some leftover butcherblock from my recent kitchen work that would work nicely. I also had some redwood 4x4s and 2x6s that used to be a bed frame and was also what introduced me to Rockler and subsequently woodworking 15 years ago. The top of the table is 14" high--not too tall, but tall enough for me to slide my crossed legs under the apron comfortably to use as a game table with the family.
I had the day off work and the kids were at daycare so I had all day to myself. I spent the morning tidying up the shop and then got to work milling up the redwood. The new jointer/planer made quick work of that. The segmented cutters also did well with the knots. My lunchbox would definitely have chewed them up roughly. It's been a long time since I worked with anything that was legitimately square. So nice. I didn't really measure to any particular size. I milled the 4x4s until everything was square--they ended up around 3 1/8" square. I made the 2x6s S4S, then ripped them to 2 1/2" wide x 1 1/4" thick.
Instead of joining the apron to the legs with pocket screws like they did in the show, I used my Domino. After careful setup, I milled all the slots and did a dry fit. Everything is nice and tight.
I notched the corners with a jigsaw like Tommy but his are definitely better than mine. I didn't need to bang the top in with a hammer like Tommy, though. The blue tape helped me orient the legs to each other so I didn't miscut the slots. The legs checked many, many years ago so I'm pretty sure they have stabilized by now. The table looks square, but it's 31" x 25.5".
I decided to leave the legs 1/8" proud of the top. Right now the long sections are glued up and in clamps. I'll glue up the whole thing before shutting it down tonight. I've got to do some roundovers or chamfers on all the sharp edges, sand, and then finish. I'm pleased with it so far.
Thanks for looking,
Paul
twistsol
Black wallnut
Loring in Katy, TX USA
Comment