I am working on a Christmas present for my parents and I need your help with how I should make the top for my Arts and Craft Pedestal. I have attached a few pictures of a prototype that I have made out of particle board (the finish product will be made from QSWO). The legs are 36" tall and the top options are 15" wide. One has a round top, One has a square top that is square to the legs, the other is a square top that is skewed 45 degrees to the legs. I would really like any thoughts that you may have. Thanks for your votes and thoughts. I think this is really going to be a nice project when it is complete. I will post the completed project.
I like the skewed 45° to the legs (middle picture). If you could get a piece of solid surface material (Corian), it would look great for a top; otherwise a round top covered with a laminate.
Definitely, the middle picture. I like it because the raw ends of the legs at the top don't show. If you go with QSWO for the top, I would think a Roman ogee curved edge would look good.
That's an attractive design! I like the round top with the curvy legs. I would be tempted to create a cut-out in the legs to emphasize the curve and make the legs look a little lighter. Something a little like this:
I agree with sras, I like the round top, but it looks like it wants to be bigger. Not much, but a little bigger would help balance the curves to each other and the hight of the piece
very nice design though, look forward to seeing the finished product!
I personally like the round top to go with the curved legs. The top could be maybe 2" larger in diameter and the tops ends of the leg could be curved up using a French curve to get a sweep to them. I thin the blunt ends of the legs takes away from it with either top.
If you do go with a square top, you could consider an apron around the top ends of the legs.
it is all in the taste of the person but I also prefer the round top. The problem with your first photo is the top is barely as large as the leg. if you took the major section of the legs and drew a circle that diameter then the top should be a couple of inches larger than that diameter.
I agree with Rance. Since they all look good, use a another criterion to make the final decision. Where will it most
likely be placed in the room? Would the shape of the top conflict or complement the existing furniture? What will be placed on top of the table? Is it a lamp? Does that lamp have a square or round base…...you see where I'm going, don't you? If you just want a tally, I like the round top better, but maybe 18" or 20" instead of 15", since the base could certainly justify that size top.
Good luck…...
So many great comments….So many great ideas…at the widest part of the base it measures 16" and at the top of the base it measures 13", so here is a top that has a 16" diameter top on it and the wings have been curved as well. I have decided on that top. One more question….Pete asked that maybe I consider a cut out on the legs…So I have drawn in a 2" stile and Rail design on the second picture..so Solid legs or cut out legs?..remember that this project will be made from QSWO
I think if you cut out some the inner legs it would help with it's vertical flow , I would not take out as much as you have drawn out maybe only about 50% of what you have drawn using the same shape.
Ooooh, I like the cutout. I kind of like the size you have chosen.
If I were to change any part of it, I might leave a little more material along the bottom of the opening, but only to add a little extra strength there.
The sharp point at the top of the opening might be tricky to form cleanly - add a radius at the top of the opening?
OK…So it sounds like a cut out is needed but maybe the "bottom rail" needs to be a little taller. The stiles and bottom rail are both 2" now so I will make the bottome rail 3". I will also put a small radius at the top of the cut out instead of a tight point liuke it shows now. I will make the cut out tomorrow when I get home from work and post another picture. Thanks again for all your help on this project.
Gofor…I will be attaching the top using figure 8s on each leg..Thanks
I think the cutout will look great. I agree with sras that a wider bottom "rail" would be a good idea, both for strength and as a visual element, and that a radius might be easier to accomplish than the sharp points in the cutouts. Can't wait to see the finished product!
One other comment I would make is: the table looks a bit "tippy", especially on a carpeted floor and more so with a larger top; could easily be knocked over.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!