Ash Dinning Table #3: Legs, Apron, Attached Breadboard Ends

It’s been a bit busy at work the past few weeks but was able to get a little time in the shop this past weekend. I got to test out my new JFM-5 mortise and absolutely love it. It made cutting the mortise a piece of cake.

After cutting them I cleaned up the bottom of the mortises and then off to the tenons. Since I had to cut tenons on the 8’ long apron I took the opportunity to make a miter sled out of some scrap birch plywood and MDF that I had on hand. I also, finally, sprung for a dado blade. Ran to the local big box and picked up a Freud. I also had to make another zero clearance plate for the TS since I did not have one made for a dado blade. I have a Dewalt 746 TS and 1/2” MDF fits perfect for zero clearance plate. I ended up picking up some set screws and did not need them. I could not ask for a better fit with no adjustment needed.

Cut the tenons and dry fit the base of the table. Everything went together well. Two tenons were a little snug so I took a file to them to smooth them down a bit and they went in with just a little pressure.

Over the holiday I took a little time to test out the finish on the bottom of the table. I applied a coat of Sealcoat, two coats of walnut stain, another coat of Sealcoat and then just one coat of satin lacquer to see how the top coat would look. This was my first time spaying lacquer out of a can. I was happy with how easy it laid down and turned out.

The pictures also show how I connected the breadboard ends. I used a product by a company called ZipBolt. Given the weight of the table and breadboard ends, I wanted to have the flexibility to remove them if needed and also wanted to make sure that I could tighten then if needed. I was not concerned with the ability of seeing them from the underside of the table because you will really only see the center one as the legs will sit just below the end bolts.

From Dinning Table

From Dinning Table

From Dinning Table

From Dinning Table

From Dinning Table