I want to build a table

WDH · January 18, 2012, 10:31:27 PM

Axe Handle,

I use washers, too, with pan head screws.

Hilltop366 · January 19, 2012, 09:09:38 AM

I am not sure what the final use for the table will be but if the top does not need to be solid you could make up a top with strips of wood not glued together just screwed to some cleats from underneath (could also be t+g), or for a rustic look nailed from the top with some old fashion style nails, width of strips would depend on the stability of the species of wood used. Making the top removable and using the knock down hardware or lag screws for the legs would make moving the table less of a issue.

Brad_bb · January 19, 2012, 07:14:00 PM

Axe Handle Hound,
Yes I agree with that. using the lags with washers in elongated holes sounds good to me. I'm thinking similar design to your table without the small wooden cleats.

The use: Currently in my home office I have that 24"X72" metal (lightweight aluminum) folding table I showed in a picture earlier. I have my computer on that. I need another table of the same dimensions to put at 90 degrees to this one were I'll lay a deskpad for doing paperwork etc. The office is only about 9'X10'.

SwampDonkey · January 19, 2012, 10:32:41 PM

Well constructed table Axe Handle Hound.

LeeB · January 20, 2012, 11:21:53 PM

Don't skip the cleat.

Clam77 · January 21, 2012, 05:05:36 PM

Axe Handle Hound - Beautiful table you've made there. How are the legs made up- simple M&T with glue or are they also lagged together for the extra strength??

I like the design... simple yet effective, but still tasteful.

Axe Handle Hound · January 22, 2012, 06:28:58 PM

Quote from: Clam77 on January 21, 2012, 05:05:36 PM
Axe Handle Hound - Beautiful table you've made there. How are the legs made up- simple M&T with glue or are they also lagged together for the extra strength??

I like the design... simple yet effective, but still tasteful.

Thanks Clam! You're correct that they're M&T. I believe I made a 1 1/2"W X 1 1/2"L X 3/4"T tenon on the ends of the uprights which fit into corresponding mortices in the horizontal pieces. With all the glue surface in there I didn't think I'd need any further support so no lag bolts were used.

Don_Papenburg · January 22, 2012, 10:44:18 PM

Brad you need to build a collage table , cement block legs and 2x top . Very quick ,leaves a lot of time to build the good table . And find the big tree that will yeild that one piece top

jueston · January 23, 2012, 07:01:19 PM

Quote from: Don_Papenburg on January 22, 2012, 10:44:18 PM
Brad you need to build a collage table , cement block legs and 2x top . Very quick ,leaves a lot of time to build the good table . And find the big tree that will yeild that one piece top

had a friend who was in college, i slept on his couch a few times, he had a table like that, 2 cinder blocks for each leg and 1-1/8inch top, he was most proud of the gorilla glue that held it togather, if he had 4 guys he could lift it from the corners and the cinder blocks would hold to the bottom of the table, i wouldn't have believed it if he had told me, but he showed me and then said he has moved it to 2 different apartments and the blocks had not come loose yet....

i think it could have been a gorilla glue ad....

WDH · January 23, 2012, 08:17:08 PM

I am glad that I don't have to move it

.

Hilltop366 · January 23, 2012, 10:49:48 PM

Quote from: Don_Papenburg on January 22, 2012, 10:44:18 PM
Brad you need to build a collage table , cement block legs and 2x top . Very quick ,leaves a lot of time to build the good table . And find the big tree that will yeild that one piece top

Now if you use the plastic milk crates instead of the blocks it's much lighter, and if you put the crates on their side you can put your albums in them!

WDH · January 24, 2012, 07:05:20 AM

Yeah, and the college kids would ask, "What is an album?"

Hilltop366 · January 24, 2012, 07:51:16 AM

You might be surprised to know that vinyl is back in in some places, some artist are releasing their music on multiple formats including LP.

I'm not sure if this is helping Brad with his table design.

Brad_bb · January 24, 2012, 06:49:05 PM

Oh, I got what I needed quite a few posts ago. I don't mind a wise-acher on FF. I am one too. Now I just need to find the wood.

WDH · January 24, 2012, 09:50:49 PM

Where will you get the albums ??? ;D.

Brad_bb · January 25, 2012, 09:34:41 PM

A new woodworking buddy invited me to go to a new wood supplier on Saturday (about an hour and a half away) with him. From the website, they have all species, and do custom millwork. I just may have them glue up the top and sand it for me since they have the wide sander. I called and they do have live edge black walnut. Is that what they call rift sawn?

WDH · January 25, 2012, 09:44:40 PM

It could be. It could also be flatsawn or quarter sawn, depending on where in the tree the board came from. The fact that it has a live edge does not make it rift sawn.

Brad_bb · January 28, 2012, 05:01:17 PM

Was watching Roy Underhill today and it was the show about expantion and contraction and hydroscopic nature of wood.

He said something that got me thinking...
My table top glue up, the board don't have to be quarter sawn do they? I mean, I can use flat sawn pieces so long as I alternate the ring direction correct?

By the way, our trip to the wood supplier got postponed until next Saturday becuase they'll be doing some demos my friend wants to see.
Thanks,
Brad

Ianab · January 28, 2012, 05:16:16 PM

Q-Sawn material moves less with changes in moisture, but this doesn't mean you can't use flat sawn, you just have to allow for it to move slightly more.

Alternating the growth rings is to do with the wood cupping with changes in moisture. If the growth rings are all the same way then the whole top could cup slightly. But if you alternate them, and cupping will show as slight 'corrugations" in the top. Which is going to be more of a problem?

Some suggest it doesn't really matter.

Ian

SwampDonkey · January 28, 2012, 06:48:41 PM

Depends on how the top is secured. Done right it don't matter how it's sawed and it won't cup. My tops could be either quarter or flat sawn and they aren't cupping. ;) It will more likely cup sitting on the side in the shop while your preparing the carcass. Once attached and done right, nope. ;)

WDH · January 28, 2012, 08:21:15 PM

Generally, I keep the top in the clamps and stored so that air can circulate freely on all sides of the top. Then, I attach it. It is best to make the top at the very last so that you can sand and install it when the glue is dry. Leaving a wide top sitting around is asking for trouble. The worst thing that you can do is make the top first (which we always want to do because it is the most fun) and lay it down somewhere with only one surface exposed to the air for weeks or months

. This is a recipe for cupping.

Axe Handle Hound · January 29, 2012, 07:36:46 PM

Understanding wood movement is the critical key to enjoyable woodworking. Ian and SD are exactly correct, if done right the top should remain flat. If done wrong you'll have a nice start on a canoe. I used quartersawn boards for my table and added the central cleat with lag bolts and the small cleats on the leg assemblies for additional insurance against cupping seeing as how I do not air condition my house and the seasonal humidity swings are pretty big. And WDH is exactly right, try to have your leg assemblies ready and waiting. Leaving a wide glue up laying around is just asking for a visit from our old friend Frustration. I've known people who laid table tops flat on the garage floor for a few days before getting to them. Really, really bad idea.

Dodgy Loner · February 02, 2012, 10:12:57 AM

Quote from: Brad_bb on January 28, 2012, 05:01:17 PM
My table top glue up, the board don't have to be quarter sawn do they? I mean, I can use flat sawn pieces so long as I alternate the ring direction correct?

Don't go out of your way to alternate the grain. Put the prettiest side on top. If the grain happens to be alternating, that's fine, but it's also fine if it's all running the same direction.

beenthere · February 02, 2012, 10:24:33 AM

Dodgy
That isn't the usual response from a woodworker (to ignore the grain alternating).

Are you also suggesting that allowing the cup to accumulate won't present a problem with the top?

Of course much depends on the flatness of the grain in the glued boards, the species, strip widths, and the equalibrium moisture content before and after glue-up.