Limbert Lamp Table - Stickley #240 #1: Templates

So, between TreeFrogFurniture.BlogSpot.com and Robert Lang’s book “More Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture”, I decided that the corner of our dining room could stand an accent table. TreeFrog has built two different styles, so I “borrowed” the plans for the one I liked (he posted them online) and made my first template.

I’m going to wait to make the interior template until I have the shell complete. The angles make things a bit messy. Like TreeFrog, I will be posting about each step along the way. I can already tell you that I should’ve made a posterboard template. Laying out on both sides of the particle board did not line up correctly, causing a discrepancy between the two faces. I will endeavor to correct for this with the depth setting of the pattern following bit when I get to that step. I tried to make the transitions as smooth as possible because I know that will be transfered by the router bit to the QSWO. I’m envisioning using the TransTint #6003 Reddish Brown on this table and refinishing the ammonia fumed red oak tabouret tables the same, so hopefully they all match.

Some helpful hints: I cut the insides of the side template by raising the table saw blade up into the work while the overall blank was still square. I then cut out as much as I could with the band saw and finished with a coping saw and scroll saw. I was able to cut the tapered sides using a clamping guide, instead of messing with a tapering jig. Roughing out with rasps, then refining the curves with files helped a lot. I then finished off with sandpaper in hand to accomodate the curves and transitions.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails