Google Sketchup - Come Along for the Ride #11: Last of the simple table blog - then onto bigger and better projects!

So now we are going to finish up the table. Since I started this little project I have learned a ton of stuff. All that will be explored on my next project – the hall table, however, I really feel like I need to finish this blog project the way I started, with baby steps – and not necessarily the very best way to get things done.

(one caveat—my pictures are screwed up and I’m not exactly sure why. So there are not many pictures tonight. Will start fresh for the next project.)

The last blog we flipped the table over onto its feet. Now we need to undo that and set it back on it’s top.

Use the “select” tool and triple click the table so that it turns completely blue. Select the rotate tool and click the edge of the table so that the red inference dot is showing. Left click again and type in 180 in the VCB box—- then hit enter. This should flip the table back onto its top.

We are going to put in the aprons, end rails and stiles. I’ll do several ways. Mostly I’ll do this to show you really why you do want to do things differently, by using components, groups and layers. So this exercise really will be helpful in the end.

Use your zoom tool and pan tool to move the table around so that the legs are filling up much of your screen.

So now use your guide placing talents to place a guide 3/8” from the outside edge of the leg. Then place guides 3” from the top and 3” and 6” from either end of the leg. It should now look like this.

Select your rectangle tool and move it so that you get the black intersection inference dot to show (in the lower left corner at the “top” of the leg). Move the cursor up to the guide mark and over to the right slightly. Type in 3, .75 in the VCB box. This should give you a tall rectangle – not one on it’s side.

Now do the same for the other end of the leg. You now have your short apron rail.

I’ve pictured here what will happen if you do not put the rectangle squarely on the axis.

Now you need to redo that rectangle to make sure it is square on the face of the leg. Now pan around so that the table’s end is facing you and use the push pull tool to pull it out the two rectangles to meet the other leg.

This is what you should now have.

Now onto the stiles. Use your new found zoom and pan skills to zoom around and get a good look at the bottom rail and draw guide lines to place three stiles evenly across the width. (3, 6 and 12.5 from each end).

Then zoom and pan around to place a guide 1/8 in from the outside of the rail.

Place your first rectangle and push/pull and this is what you should have.

Repeat two more times on one end and duplicate the actions on the other. Very, very repetitive, and not necessary.

The next blog will explore a better way but doing a hall table.

Hope you have enjoyed this ride. I know I’ve learned a lot. Mostly that I’ve got a lot more to learn!

-- Like a bad penny, I keep coming back!