| Project by DaveFFMedic | posted 331 days ago | 1472 views | 7 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
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This red oak modern dining table is my first commissioned piece. A co-worker begged me to build him this table. He only had a couple pictures printed off the internet and an idea of what he wanted. I had to work out all of the dimensions and such. Since the table top is a sheet of glass and it isn’t attached to the base at all, I had to calculate the tipping force and size the base accordingly to prevent the table from tipping over.
I apologize for the oversized pictures. I can’t seem to figure out how to get them smaller. Sorry.
I started by creating a 1/4 scale model of what I thought the table would look like. This gave the customer an idea of what the scale of the table would be. 
Being the overachiever that I am, I also made scale chairs to go with the table.
I started by buying two pieces of 8/4 red oak. 
I decided the best way to create this table is using full-blind mitred dovetail joints. Removing all that material was quite a chore! It really helped me justify buying a new drill press!
Here is what the finished joints looked like before assembly:
I carefully kept the long board in sequence so the grain ran up the side, across the top, and down the other side.
I think I did a pretty good job of hand-cutting the mitre on this piece!
Photo was taken half way through assembly
The wings are held on the top with a tapered dovetail. Each butterfly shape wing is in two pieces and slides in from each side.
Finish is water based polyurethane.
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15 comments so far
Raymond Thomas
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180 posts in 384 days
#1 posted 331 days ago
Artfully elegant and yet simply pleasing to the eyes. Great job!
-- Raymond, Charlotte, NC -------- Demonstrate the difference!
Rob Vicelli
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91 posts in 857 days
#2 posted 331 days ago
very nice, I love the lines!
-- Rob V
jacob34
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388 posts in 430 days
#3 posted 331 days ago
very cool nice job
-- two men walk into a bar the third one ducks, which are you??
waho6o9
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2881 posts in 743 days
#4 posted 331 days ago
That’s one fine table, thanks for showing the dovetail joinery!
Canadian Woodworks
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527 posts in 1236 days
#5 posted 331 days ago
I second the dovetail joinery is awesome
-- Paul Lemiski, Ontario Canada, Custom Wooden Rocking chairs and tables http://www.canadianwoodworks.com
489tad
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991 posts in 1177 days
#6 posted 331 days ago
I think you did a fantastic job with the mitered dovetail joints!
-- Dan I.G.N.
jaykaypur
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2494 posts in 574 days
#7 posted 331 days ago
Beautiful execution of your wood-working skills. The joinery and the butterflys are very well done. A true showpiece.
-- Use it up, Wear it out --------------- Make it do, Or do without!
Triumph1
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810 posts in 1245 days
#8 posted 331 days ago
Very beautiful…and amazing job on the joinery!
-- Jeff , Illinois Please...can I stay in the basement a little longer, please!
JohnEinNJ
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71 posts in 513 days
#9 posted 330 days ago
beautiful joinery – too bad it’s hidden!
DaveFFMedic
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67 posts in 333 days
#10 posted 330 days ago
Thanks for the compliments on the dovetails. Even though no one can see them anymore, I know they’re there—that’s enough for me. My only lament is that I can’t admire and enjoy this piece since I delivered it to my customer. [Sigh]
MarkTheFiddler
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684 posts in 354 days
#11 posted 330 days ago
Yet another great job! You all are constantly reminding me of how much I don’t know but I’m encouraged to try.
-- Learning is like a door. Open it and there are hundreds more on the other side. Thanks for all the lessons!
BenI
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252 posts in 344 days
#12 posted 330 days ago
Great job! I really like the design!
-- Ben from IL
rance
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3855 posts in 1326 days
#13 posted 325 days ago
So I guess you are a Tails first kind of guy. Oh, and then you just forget about the pins. :D Fantastic job with this, both in design and execution.
-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--
BritBoxmaker
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4003 posts in 1202 days
#14 posted 234 days ago
Beautifully done.
I like the idea of uncertainty when placing something on a clear surface when you can see your legs, below, just waiting to catch it.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
DaveFFMedic
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67 posts in 333 days
#15 posted 234 days ago
It would be cool to see lots of piping hot food “floating” just above your lap! My customer wanted a modern design that gave him room to seat more people around the table without making the room feel crowded. I didn’t think about the clear surface so much.
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