| Project by ThreeJs | posted 661 days ago | 1742 views | 3 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)
19 comments so far
SPalm
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944 posts in 774 days
posted 661 days ago
Very nice indeed. I love those bottom stretchers, they are so slender.
Pretty nice looking grain too.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Chris
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1465 posts in 883 days
posted 661 days ago
Very nice job… Sounds like you had a lot of fun with this one.
-- Chris
Les Hastings
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951 posts in 665 days
posted 661 days ago
Great looking table David, Nice Design!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
CharlieM1958
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7601 posts in 1111 days
posted 661 days ago
Nice work!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
cajunpen
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5970 posts in 958 days
posted 661 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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3403 posts in 1219 days
posted 661 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. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
rikkor
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11338 posts in 767 days
posted 661 days ago
Great concept, design, and execution.
Russel
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2057 posts in 831 days
posted 661 days ago
Nice table, delicate is a good word to describe it. I like it.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
MsDebbieP
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14159 posts in 1053 days
posted 661 days ago
another awesome creation.
great job. Congrats
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
YorkshireStewart
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782 posts in 793 days
posted 661 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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1700 posts in 772 days
posted 661 days ago
wow ! very nice , good luck in the contest
relic
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342 posts in 829 days
posted 661 days ago
The table is great, I like the pine.
-- Andy Stark
Scott Bryan
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20554 posts in 714 days
posted 661 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.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
ThreeJs
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82 posts in 832 days
posted 661 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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99 posts in 665 days
posted 661 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"
YorkshireStewart
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782 posts in 793 days
posted 661 days ago
Thanks JJJ. Bet my wife has more wool than your wife! <grin>
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
Dusty56
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3457 posts in 580 days
posted 481 days ago
How is it holding up ? The first comment was 180 days ago now and I was wondering if any issues have popped up yet ….
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
ThreeJs
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82 posts in 832 days
posted 404 days ago
Just wanted to post back on this, now that it has gone through several seasons. SO far, the top has bowed a little, but not much. One corner of the top is pround of the frame by about 1/32” but other than that the table is the same as when it was constructed.
Luckily, the little ones have been kept away from it, so it has not been reduced to splinters yet.
-- David, Charlotte NC (http://beechcreeknaturals.etsy.com)
SCOTSMAN
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2238 posts in 477 days
posted 404 days ago
Well done an ellegant looking little table this is a very well designed and made piece I take my preverbial hat off to you kindest regards Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease