| Project by Mike Lingenfelter | posted 435 days ago | 474 views | 1 time favorited | 12 comments |  |
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Here’s my entry for the Wood Joinery Challenge.
My wife asked for a foot rest to go under her desk, around the time the Summer Challenge was announced. I thought I could come up with a design that didn’t need: glue, nails, screws or mechanical fasteners. It took a little more time, but was a lot fun. It also sparked a lot of other ideas. I have several other bigger projects that I may try, with the same guidelines.
The foot rest is made from Peruvian Walnut with Maple pegs. I used through mortise and tenon joints and pegged them with Maple pegs. My first plan was to use wedge tenons, but my test joints kept breaking. This is the first time I’ve worked with Peruvian Walnut, and it seems very brittle and chips easily. So I went with plan B and pegged them instead. I let tenons on the stretchers run long (leftover because I didn’t use wedges), and liked the look it gave the foot rest. A Mission or Craftsman accent. The biggest challenge was marking out and cutting the through mortises on the top. I just took it slow and did a lot of test fits. Any gaps here wouldn’t look good! I have to say the “dry” fit was really tight and snug. I might not have needed as many pegs, but I liked the look. I also used the drawbore technique on the joints, and it really snugged up the joints even more.
-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/
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12 comments so far
DAN
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3200 posts in 464 days
posted 435 days ago
very nice piece … really pretty wood grain. good luck on your entry
-- ..... art for lifes sake
Don
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2586 posts in 658 days
posted 435 days ago
Best wishes, Mike – good entry.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
PanamaJack
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4452 posts in 559 days
posted 434 days ago
Best of luck Mike. Very, very good job on the joinery, but the stool turned out just great also.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
cajunpen
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5348 posts in 547 days
posted 434 days ago
Nice piece Mike – very nice wood selection and finish. Good luck with the contest.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
oscorner
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4573 posts in 792 days
posted 434 days ago
Very nice!
-- Jesus is Lord!
mot
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4837 posts in 518 days
posted 434 days ago
That’s a beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
MsDebbieP
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11909 posts in 642 days
posted 434 days ago
this category has been a challenge right from the start but when I read your comment: It took a little more time, but was a lot fun. It also sparked a lot of other ideas. I have several other bigger projects that I may try, with the same guidelines. I knew that this category was the right thing to do—it has been a true challenge for everyone.
What a wonderful project.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Joel Tille
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200 posts in 726 days
posted 433 days ago
Nice project for your wife Mike, sitting at a desk can get tiring for your legs. This should help her nicely.
-- Joel Tille
RobS
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1104 posts in 788 days
posted 432 days ago
Good Job and great results.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
chamoruboy
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posted 266 days ago
Very nice – I like the contrast in the wood and the pegs and I think the jointery is great. I’ll have to give your methods a shot. I have to build a hall table for my wife and I think I’ll incorporate your methods in that project. I’ve been searching for the perfect solution because she’s relly particular, and I think she’ll love your design and method.
-- Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and love.
Blake
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2000 posts in 356 days
posted 256 days ago
Just saw this in the shuffle and love it.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com
Mike Lingenfelter
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389 posts in 596 days
posted 256 days ago
Thanks Blake. A quick update on the foot rest. It has worked out really nice. I got the height and angle right to be comfortable. The joints have stayed nice and tight without glue. My wife wants another one for work.
-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/