Opposing Arch Table #2: Nice Legs!

I finally started working on my table the other night. Here is what I did so far…

(By the way, here is the sketchup design just to remind you…)

I’m actually not sure if I will make the jewelry compartment or not. I will have to see how it goes. I do about half my design on paper/computer and the other half on the fly.

Here’s the pile after I cross cut some of my pieces to rough length (still designing on the fly a little until I get a sense of my proportions). Birdseye Maple and that curly/quilty mahogany that I love…

The legs are Bubinga which actually came from the yard as 2×2s. In just a few moments of cutting I’ve got a rough idea of my overall shape. I call this the “sneak peak.” This is where I make changes to overall dimensions. (Its just clamped together without any joinery yet.)

Here I’ve got most of it “mocked up.” I am going to make it narrower. Notice the “shelf” down below.

I got a good deal on some Bubinga 2×2 stock which I am using for the legs:

Whenever I joint or plane anything I make lines all over so I know which side(s) have been planed and when the entire surface is planed. Depending on the project I either use pen or pencil. This time I used two colors of Sharpie (and two different patterns) for the four sides. This makes the “plane, plane, plane, plane, TURN, etc…” less confusing.

All set for planing:

All done Jointing and planing… and here’s the surprise spoiler: The short legs are for a matching coffee table!

All set for the [fun part] mortising:

Notice the various stop blocks for repeated cuts. I only had to measure and mark one side of one leg.

The cutting: Keep a brush near by to clean chips away…

And here’s the end result!

I still have to do a little hand work with a chisel to lean up the inside surfaces.

Building time so far: 4 hours

-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us