| Demilune Table -- Tapered Legs and Bridle Joinery |
From "Wood Works"
episode WWK-201 |
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With the madrone burl veneer cut and glued up for the table top, and the curved apron made, the next steps in the construction of the demilune table are the creation of the four-way tapered legs that will connect to the apron using distinctive bridle joints (figure A). Bridle joints are a classic style of joinery. In this case, the joints are made by cutting away the stock in the center of the leg to match the thickness of the apron. Materials: Cherry stock
Table saw
Jointer
Power planer
Band saw
Angled jig
Drill press; Forstner bit
Hand chisel
Block plane
Yellow wood-glue
Clamps; cork blocks
220-grit sandpaper
Straight-edge and square
Chalk or carpenter's pencil
Safety glasses or goggles
Note: Cut sizes may vary. For exact measurements, please contact David Marks through his Web site -- information below under Resources. Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when working with power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc. Tapered Legs and Bridle Joints Steps: - With the cherry leg stock already milled up, lay out measurements on the leg stock and cut out the bridle joints using the band saw (figure B).
- Once the two cuts are made in the first leg, use a drill press and Forstner bit to drill away the bulk of the stock to remove the center section (figure C).
- Use a sharp chisel to square the end of the bridle joint.
- The legs will be spaced evenly along the apron (figure D). Because the apron is curved, a block plane is used to plane a flat spot on the front of the curved apron to ensure a snug fit for the joinery (figure E).
- The back legs that attach at the intersection of the flat and curved pieces of the apron need to be trimmed to accommodate the joinery. This is achieved by notching away a piece of the bridle joint (figure F) using the band saw.
- Each of the four legs will be cut to have a slight taper on all four sides (figure G) -- graduating from 1-3/4 inches at the top down to 7/8-inch-square at the foot. Because each leg is to be cut on all four sides, it's a good idea as you make the cuts to rotate the stock only in one direction.
- An angled jig holds the leg secure and at the precise angle as the leg stock is taper-cut (figure H).
- As you make each cut, number that side with chalk (figure I) to avoid making any mistakes.
- After making the second cut on each leg, stop and add a spacer to the jig (figure J) before making the last two tapers. Since the flat references were cut away on sides one and two, the spacer properly positions the leg for the third and fourth tapers.
- After all of the legs have been cut, soften the edges using 220-grit sandpaper.
- With the legs complete, and the joinery cut, the legs can be glued to the apron. First, glue the back legs using yellow wood glue (figure K) and clamp them securely into position (figure L).
- Next, glue the front legs in place at the point where a flat surface was planed earlier on the face of the curved piece.
- Before the glue has had a dry, make certain that the legs are aligned properly and are square with the apron (figure M).
- With the legs aligned properly, clamp the assembly to hold it secure as the glue dries. Use cork blocks on the clamps to avoid marring the wood (figure N).
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RESOURCES :
Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619
Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456
Mastering Woodworking Machines (Fine Woodworking Book)
Author: Mark Duginske
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 0942391985
David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com
The Complete Woodworker's Companion
Author: Roger Holmes
Publisher: Watson-Guptill
ISBN: 0823008665
The Complete Book of Wood Joinery
Author: Robert J. Decristoforo
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co.
ISBN: 0806999500
Advanced Woodworking
Model: 0783539126
Author: Editors of Time Life Books
1998
Time-Life Books Inc.
Website: www.timelife.com
Popular Woodworking
F & W Publications, Inc.
Website: www.popularwoodworking.com
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