Finish Line Comes Closer - Mid-Century Table (Pt. 12)

Sometimes things do need much more time as estimated.

But the journey is the reward. Isn't it?

The build process of our new Mid-Century table is in the final stages.

After bringing the table top into it's final shape some finishing tasks were necessary.

• Removing pencil marks.
• Pre-finishing the top.
• Ease the edges.
• Glue-up the table frame.

The Table Top

After I cut and planed the top into shape there were a few tasks left. I had to remove all pencil marks and I had enough tear out on the top, which had to be removed.

I started to smooth the top with a #4. This went well for a large part. But no matter in which direction I was planing I had some serious tear out. So I came to the conclusion that scraping would be a better idea.

Scraper Preparation

That said I started to sharpen my scraper.

I think there are pretty good descriptions out there how to sharpen a scraper. But let me show you my procedure how to do it.

The first step I'm doing, is to remove the former hook and to prepare a clean edge.

Therefore I'm bringing both long edges of the scraper to my diamond stones. Starting on 400 grid and ending on 1200. Just doing a few strokes until you have a consistently straight and smooth edge.

Preparing the edge

Then I'm laying the scraper flat on my 1200 grid stone and remove the remaining burr or rather the hook.

Again, just moving both faces back and forth on the stone until you can't feel any resistance with your fingertips any longer.

Removing the bur

That's my whole preparation.

For burnishing I'm using the Veritas Variable Burnisher. I've bought it because I was inexperienced in that kind of work and I did not want to spent too much time into this skill.

For me it is working pretty well.

Veritas Variable Burnisher

After I've prepared the edges of my scraper I clamp it into the vise. A piece of shelf liner helps so it will not slip.

Prepared scraper

Now I'm doing a few strokes with the burnisher with a zero degree angle set. This consolidates the material.

For the second pass I'm setting an angle between 5 and 8 degrees. Depending on how aggressive your scraper should be and which material you are dealing with.

Establishing a hook

Again a few strokes and you are done. This time I've established a 5° angle at one edge and an 8° angle at the other one.

The established hook

With the freshly sharpened scraper I started to treat the table top. I could remove most of the tear out.

Fine scraper shavings

Unfortunately I couldn't remove the black line on the underside of the top (you remember, that happened during the glue up of the table top). I won't sweat it. This will never been seen again.

After I've done the top and the underside I have removed the pencil marks on the edge and smoothed it a bit. And then I've called it done.

The Frame Parts

As I was done with the table top I've treated all frame parts. Same procedure. Doing a few light strokes with a #4 and then scraped of the remaining marks.

Removing pencil marks

After scraping all parts I've broken all sharp edges with a spoke shave.

Breaking the edges

And here are all parts after preparation.

All prepared parts

Now it's time to glue up the frame

Glue Up

As already described I had some glue up rehearsals. After doing it a few times I was still unsure how to proceed. All parts at one time, or gluing up in stages?

I did not found a way to clamp the table properly so I decided to glue up in stages.

That said the first stage was to glue two legs together, including the apron and the lower rail of course.

Ready for glue up

It was easy going. I was using white glue this time, because my experience with hide glue was not that good.

Glue on the tenons and two beads into the mortice holes and putting pieces together. The hand and arm pressure was good enough to bring the parts properly together.

Anyway I have used the new band clamp to safeguard the pieces from falling apart.

Glue up stage 1 in the clamps

I had a small gap on one side of the apron which I've closed with an additional clamp.

Concluding this was working well.

That done and the glue dried I was pretty satisfied with the result. No gaps at the apron but a tiny one at one side of the lower rail.

Glue up stage 1

A tiny gap

Now I had to figure out the next stage of glue up. That was a bit tricky and I'm missing the words to describe it. Hopefully the picture makes it clear how I have done the second stage.

I wished I had one more hand, but finally it worked. Somehow.

Glue up stage 2 part 1

Glue up stage 2 part 2

On the picture you are seeing the dry run. I had to speed up during the glue up process so there was no time for picture taking. Only one so that you can see how I have used the glue.

Some glue on the tenon and a bead of glue at the mortise holes

Bringing the pieces together went better than expected. The glue lubricated the mortice and tenons so that they were sliding easily into each other.

And I have added clamping pressure only at one point because the joint wouldn't stay close.

The frame glued and waiting for setting

I gave the frame 24 hours to set.

Final Tasks

After the frame was set there were a few tasks to do. At first I had to fit the aprons, so that their top edge was flush in relation to the table top.

During the build I recognized that I have to bevel the top edge of the aprons, but I haven't done it.

So I have planed it down with a low angle jack at this stage.

View of the apron top edge

That done I had to cut the legs to final length and to the right angle.

The needed length and angle marked

Again it is a somehow weird compound angle :-)

A gent saw was my tool of choice to do this job.

Sawing the leg to final length

Legs end after sawing

And as with the top of the legs I had a strange tip after sawing. I cut it down with a chisel and a block plane.

Last but not least I have established a little bevel at the end of the legs so that they are protected against blow out or splintering.

Bevel at the legs end

Drumroll

And now folks, here it is.

The underside looks already nice......

The underside

But from the top it is even nicer....

Perspective A

Perspective B

And Now?

Phew, I can tell you that was a long way to go. Even for such a small table.
I will care about the finishing within the next days. My preferred method will be a water based wax varnish with a final coat of paste wax.
I'll give you an update on this as soon as done.

That's all folk!
Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what do you think about it.

Stay tuned!
Stefan