Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I like your engineering on the leg attachment. I can't imagine a more secure arrangement. I presume you will add a couple of screws to where the glue isn't?

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Thanks Bill. And yes to the screw. There will be one at the rear in a elongated hole.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Clint Searl

If it's glued at the front, what's the point of a screw at the rear?

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Clint

The screw is not to prevent it sliding back (an elongated hole encourages this). It is just to prevent the tail (base) twisting in the pin socket (sliding dovetail) since there is no glue there to apply this force.

The force comes from the splayed and angled legs. They will want to cant outward, and this becomes more so when the three drawers are filled and a vase of flowers is placed on the top.

Regards from Perth

Derek

screws

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Supporting the glue joint with screws is prudent for the engineering reason Derek describes. Additionally it is likely this stressed, small area, cross grain glue joint is going to weaken and possibly fail over time if not strengthened. Screws will ensure this leg assembly remains attached for generations.

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Philip F Duffy

Derek, A beautiful piece, once again. Quick question: Is there any way for the legs to be removed for purposes of a move to a different town/location? P.

good point

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

But I would rest easier with screws and glue. If I had to move it I would do it upside down.

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Philip, the legs are attached permanently and not intended for removal. They could be removed in the event of repairs being needed, since the attachment is hide glue.

This will be the third piece travelling from Perth to Sydney (think New York to LA). The first was a coffee table for my son, which I designed as a flat pack and took on the plane with me (!). The second was the coffee table for my nephew, which went with a service. From this I later learned that tables travel upside down (and boxed). Therefore, so shall this one.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Barry Irby

I agree with you about the legs, not to my taste but well done.

I have watched a few YouTube videos by a chair maker, Curtis Buchanan, who has made a name for himself making Windsor style chairs. If I understood what I was watching, he made the mortice for the legs tapered from the bottom to smaller at the top. I think this means that time and weight will drive the leg further into the hole and make it tighter. Before watching, I thought the hole was larger at the top so the wedge would flare the leg, making it impossible for the leg to fall out. Now I think I was wrong. And, one other note, he only glues the wedge on one side. This allows the slot to open if necessary from some sort of wood movement.

Question, cross grain drawer? I see you have all the grain aligned consistently to allow for cross grain expansion and contraction. I know your wood is as hard as woodpeckers lips, but how will this effect the action of the drawers. They are not likely to get a lot of use but will they slide smoothly?

Re: Entry hall table for a niece: Part 9

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

I agree with you about the legs, not to my taste but well done.

I have watched a few YouTube videos by a chair maker, Curtis Buchanan, who has made a name for himself making Windsor style chairs. If I understood what I was watching, he made the mortice for the legs tapered from the bottom to smaller at the top. I think this means that time and weight will drive the leg further into the hole and make it tighter. Before watching, I thought the hole was larger at the top so the wedge would flare the leg, making it impossible for the leg to fall out. Now I think I was wrong. And, one other note, he only glues the wedge on one side. This allows the slot to open if necessary from some sort of wood movement.

Question, cross grain drawer? I see you have all the grain aligned consistently to allow for cross grain expansion and contraction. I know your wood is as hard as woodpeckers lips, but how will this effect the action of the drawers. They are not likely to get a lot of use but will they slide smoothly?

Hi Barry

I am not certain how Curtis glues his wedges. The legs I built are also wedged . They are not going to loosen or drop out. Further, unlike a chair, a table does not have the racking motions which tend to stress leg joints.

The smoothness of a drawer working does not, as I understand, have anything to do with the hardness of the wood used. It has to do with fit, and then expansion, as this affects the fit. This is why I am so particular about grain direction. I imagine that hard woods probably act less like sponges than soft woods, and they wear better.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Belt & suspenders