Mid-Century Table (Pt. 5)

Finally I got my ducks in a row.

Even if one of the little buggers tries to waddle off.

Someone is waiting for the Mid-Century Table.

So, this project will have the main focus for the next time.

But having the next things in mind there is something more going on.

An Outlook On The Next Weeks

The workshop remodeling becomes necessary more and more. But for the time being the temperature is to high for such a project. Nevertheless I guess I should do it before winter, so that I'm able to spent the long winter days in a nice, remade shop.

Some proposals reached me how to organize my projects and the time in between. Thanks for your thoughts and hints.

I saw that most of us are in the same situation when a project is finished and the new ones are waiting.

It will be well thought-out, especially if the workshop time is limited. So I've decided to complete the already started Mid-Century Table first.

In the evening hours I will spent  some time in thoughts about the workshop remodeling.

And if I don't know how to go on, then I will invest my time in some technique trainings for a chair build, which will be the next project after the table.

The Mid-Century Table

All that said I've started the last weekend with the next steps for the table build.

It took a while until I was familiar again with the details. Man, I haven't done something for just a few weeks and the picture I had in my had is pretty much gone.

So I grabbed my 1:1 drawing and the already prepared parts and tried to find back into the project.

A cup of tea and some thoughts later it was clear were I was and ready to make the next steps.

The legs, which were tapered already, had to be beveled now.

That said I've clamped one of the legs into the jig I've build during the prototyping.

Leg in jig

A block plane made the start. I find it easier to use a block plane for the such a tiny edge instead of a bench plane.

Block plane for the first strokes at the edge

After a few strokes I had a flat surface so that I could switch to a bench plane - a low angle jack in that case.

Low angle jack for establishing the bevels

A few strokes more.....

Bevel after a few strokes with the bench plane

....and even more.....

Near to my lines

At this point I switched to a #4 for finer shavings and more control. This part is just about 2,5 cm (1"). So you can rest a smaller plane even better.

Dead on

And finally I'm to my lines. Worked better than I've thought it would. I think to clamp the legs in a position that the bevel, which will be established, is horizontal during the planing is really helpful

Shavings after the first leg

That is the first leg with the established bevels. You can see in the picture the already marked rounding which will be made after the joinery is complete.

First leg w. bevels

Repeating this two times again led to three fine legs. Tapered and beveled.

Three legs ready for joinery

The next step was to layout the mortise holes. Don't ask me how I've done that. It was a bit experimental.

I've used a prototype leg to figure out how I can set the marking gauges to the right measurements.

Upper mortises

Both positions were laid out.

Lower mortises

Now, when everything was done I could move to the next step. Making the mortise holes.

A little bit of thinking.....is this right what I'm doing?.....who cares :-)

For the first mortise I have bored out most of the waste. But I messed up the mortise a bit. Means it it is 1 mm wider than laid out.

So I've chopped the second one with a chisel. It's not much better. Anyway. The holes won't be seen after assembly. I just have to take care that the tenons will be 1 mm fatter.

First leg, first mortises

What's Next?

The mortises for the other two legs have to been made. I think I will find time the next days to do it.

Because I can't await to see how this table will come out I will do the tenons next.

If the upper aprons are done I will care about the lower rails.

Beside that I have still to do some stock preparation. The planks for the table top have to be resawn. 

But the weather forecast is promising higher temperatures for the upcoming weekend. So I guess I have to postpone this task a bit more.

It looks like I'm back in the project. Now I'll try to focus on that for a while.

That's all folks!

Stay tuned.
Stefan