Natural Edge Table - Attaching the Leg(s)

I do use M&T joints to put together my table bases. I still don’t particularly like doing them, and I am definitely not as good at it as I need to be. I am working my way up to making a full dining table. I have made tapered legs for them as well as using logs. Good luck.

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

Here’s a couple of ways I fasten legs to my live edge benches and tables. The first one is just drilling a 1 1/2” hole with a forstner or spade bit, and inserting a leg with a tenon that I split on my bandsaw and drive in a wedge.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/51216

Here’s the jig I made to cut the 1 1/2” tenons (any size could be made)

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/50958

And here’s how I make through tenons for a different style leg. I use the cut off corners of the leg as spacers for a quick jig that I clamp to the slab. Then I drill out most of the waste and use a router bit with a bearing to follow the jig. It only takes a few minutes to square up the mortise or round over the ends of the tenon. Then I cut a slot in the end of the tenon to drive in a wedge. I usually epoxy the legs as well as drive in the wedge so the legs won’t get lose over time.

Also look at other peoples projects, you’ll find a lot of different ways to attach table and bench legs. Good luck with your project.

Hal

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/37679

Hal

-- Hal, Tennessee http://www.first285.com

Thanks Monte & Hal. One thing I was assuming was having a M&T, but not a through M&T. Other than using that hidden wedge, how else would you get it super tight? I’m now thinking that maybe a through tennon might be acceptable, but I don’t like the look as much. Hmmmm, decisions decisions.

Hal, that’s a cool use of the sawmill to get the legs level.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Here’s another thread on the subject.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/14002

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/