My First Table (dinning / card )

very nice table! the top really came out nice and its a shame to hide it under black paint.

one thing – did you breadboard the sides of the top plate? you can’t just glue them, the movement of the wood will tear the table apart. same goes for attaching the top plate to the apron – must allow some movement.

-- The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep...

Moshel

I used a Tenoning Jig to make 2 1/2 ” X 3/8” Tenons on the end of each board. Hopefully that was good enough. And as far as the apron goes, I used a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig and screwed it in place but with out glue. I was at the understanding that it would be better. So it would allow movement if needed.
If I should have glued it, did it wrong or could have done it better then I’m all ears.
Also… I didn’t hide it under black paint. I made another one which I will be posting soon.

Thank you for your input.

-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com

good job TOM

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Disclaimer : I never actually done this myself on table

http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/GunCollectorsShowPlace3.html

The idea is to allow the frame to contract and expand, so all the gluing goes just on one corner, allowing the wood to move. this will never be perfect all year round, thats why usually you don’t see this kind of edges on large tables. I have also seen this done with a dovetail dado so the edge actually stay in place by the wood joinery.

as for the apron, screws are good (they allow some movement) but its better to either use metal fasteners that moves in a slot or make your own blocks of wood that moves in a slot, like http://lumberjocks.com/AlNavas/blog/5151

you can also use blocks of wood with screws but in an oversized hole (with a washer).

just my 2c. although i woodwork only for a few years, I have managed to make some very nice wrapped pieces, so i learned to respect mother nature and wood movements.

BTW, not all furniture shops make furnitures that allow movements. I have a set of chairs that i could SWEAR had all their legs touching the ground when i bought them!

-- The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep...

Hey Moshel

Thanks for the all the info.
I have been working with wood for many years and I’m still learning things. Out of all the projects that I’ve done I yet to make a table such as this, So I really appreciate it.

-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com

this is what this site is all about – that people share knowledge and help other be inspired and make less mistake.
you are obviously a better (or at least more experienced) woodworker than i am, but i think after making all the mistakes i made, I am an expert on wood movements :-)

I think that here (in Christchurch NZ) wood movement is probably the worse in the world or something, as we have very dry summer and humid winter.

have fun with your second table!

-- The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep...

Great post, good information there. Nice table!!!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

Great dining table.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

This is soo nice. My sister just bought a house and it has a formal dinning room. She asked me to make her a table. I am looking forward to it.

-- Martina, Houston, TX

Great table – I’d hate to cover that top too!

For fastening the top and allowing wood movement, I’d suggest using Figure 8 fasteners and put two on each side. That will allow enough movement.

Nice work!