| Project by ThreeJs | posted 2231 days ago | 6176 views | 6 times favorited | 19 comments |  |
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Just squeaking in under the wire to get this done. I had planned to be done this weekend, but the box went a little long, which really squeezed this project.
I started designing this when the contest was first announced. I was really sweating just using one 2×4, so I designed the table in sketch-up before I even went out to get the board. Once I had the drawing, I was able to lay it out in a 2×4 shape, and then generate a cut list using a plug-in.
The table has an overall height of 26 1/2”. The top is 19” square, and consists of 4 rails and a floating panel. The panel is only held by a single peg in the middle, but is supported on the edges by a rabbit. The panel is only 3/16” thick, with the rails being 3/8”. This is somewhat of an experiment for me, and I am curious to see if it cups or bows over time – assuming it survives in a house with 4 boys!
The legs are 1” square at the top, taper down to 3/4” at the bottom, and are sloped in at 5 degrees. I was having issues with the legs staying straight (this stuff really moves on you), so I mortised them at the top, and toward the bottom. The bottom rails were not in the original plan, but a plan you can’t change is no plan at all.
The top and bottom are attached with slotted screws, which should allow for movement. (Again, assuming it survives.) Not a bad little table.
Overall this has been a fun learning experience. For instance, last night I found out that I just don’t know how to quit. :) I also learned a lot about cutting mortises with a chisel, hammer, and saw. Last but not least, I learned that southern yellow pine, is tough, splintery, and very active when not quite dry.
Here is a picture of the table with my wife. 
Here is what my wife started using it for, right after I took the pictures for the contest.
-- David, Charlotte NC (http://beechcreeknaturals.etsy.com)
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19 comments so far
SPalm
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4557 posts in 2344 days
#1 posted 2231 days ago
Very nice indeed. I love those bottom stretchers, they are so slender.
Pretty nice looking grain too.
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Chris
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1865 posts in 2453 days
#2 posted 2231 days ago
Very nice job… Sounds like you had a lot of fun with this one.
-- "Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who labors in freedom" -- Albert Einstein
Les Hastings
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1270 posts in 2235 days
#3 posted 2231 days ago
Great looking table David, Nice Design!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
CharlieM1958
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15441 posts in 2680 days
#4 posted 2231 days ago
Nice work!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
cajunpen
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14210 posts in 2528 days
#5 posted 2231 days ago
Just amazing what can be brought out of a plain old 2×4.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
scottb
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3648 posts in 2789 days
#6 posted 2231 days ago
we just keep on amazing ourselves. That’s one crazy cut list!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
rikkor
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11295 posts in 2336 days
#7 posted 2230 days ago
Great concept, design, and execution.
Russel
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#8 posted 2230 days ago
Nice table, delicate is a good word to describe it. I like it.
-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com
MsDebbieP
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18600 posts in 2622 days
#9 posted 2230 days ago
another awesome creation.
great job. Congrats
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
YorkshireStewart
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1102 posts in 2363 days
#10 posted 2230 days ago
That Southern Yellow pine is extremely attractive and your design make great use of it. As you grossly understate: “Not a bad little table” indeed!
Mrs YS asks whether your wife is a knitter!
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
mrtrim
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1696 posts in 2342 days
#11 posted 2230 days ago
wow ! very nice , good luck in the contest
relic
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343 posts in 2398 days
#12 posted 2230 days ago
The table is great, I like the pine.
-- Andy Stark
Scott Bryan
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27251 posts in 2284 days
#13 posted 2230 days ago
Very nice table. It has never ceased to amaze me at what can be created from a simple 2×4. With 4 boys when did you find time to work on it?
Thanks for sharing.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
ThreeJs
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82 posts in 2401 days
#14 posted 2230 days ago
Couple quick replies.
Mrs YS,
Yes, my wife is a knitter. She also crochets, which is what got me into woodworking just over a year ago. I started by turning crochet hooks, and knitting needles for her. Then moved on to drop spindles, and other accessories.
sbryan55,
It was tough, between the box, and the table. Generally, I would only work on these on the weekend, when I could, and at night after dinner. I am looking forward to spending more time with the boys, now that I have gotten through the contest.
Here is the cutlist, as it came out of sketch-up.
1-1 Support Slat ~ 16 1/8” 1 1/8” 7/16”
2-1 Tapered Leg ~ 26 1/16” 1” 1”
2-2 Tapered Leg ~ 26 1/16” 1” 1”
2-3 Tapered Leg ~ 26 1/16” 1” 1”
2-4 Tapered Leg ~ 26 1/16” 1” 1”
4-1 Top Front Rail 17 1/4” ~ 1 1/8” 5/8”
4-2 Top Front Rail 17 1/4” ~ 1 1/8” 5/8”
5-1 Top Side Rail ~ 17 3/16” 1 1/8” 5/8”
5-2 Top Side Rail ~ 17 3/16” 1 1/8” 5/8”
6-1 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-2 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-3 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-4 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-5 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-6 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-7 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-8 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-9 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
6-10 Top Slat 15 3/4” 1 1/2” 3/16”
7-1 cross brace ~ 19 1/4” 1 1/2” 3/8”
7-2 cross brace ~ 19 1/4” 1 1/2” 3/8”
-- David, Charlotte NC (http://beechcreeknaturals.etsy.com)
Lakey
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97 posts in 2234 days
#15 posted 2230 days ago
Not only is this a stunning design, it is absolutely amazing that you made this from a single 2×4. Hope you keep us posted on wood movement. Wow!
-- "No Board Left Behind"
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