| Arts and Crafts Library Desk -- Base Joinery and Assembly |
From "Wood Works"
episode WWK-204 |
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Base Joinery and Assembly With the drawer assembly made and glued up, and the oak facing attached, work now begins on the base for the arts and crafts library desk. The base sides, including the feet, legs and apron -- as seen in the table prototype (figure A) -- are joined by a cross-stretcher and put together using mortise and tenon joinery. The apron piece is cut thinner than the adjoining elements (figure B), creating a step-down effect to give the piece more dimension. This variation in thickness must be taken into account when cutting the mortises in the legs. Materials: Table saw
Multi-router; tenoning jig
Band saw
Biscuit joiner; wood biscuits
Rasp
Hand-scraper
Sanding block
Yellow wood-glue
Slow-setting glue
Clamps
Straight-edge
Carpenter's pencil
Carpenter's tape
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 wood, saws, drills, routers, etc. Steps:
- Begin by cutting the mortises in the apron stock on the multi-router (figure C). The multi-router simplifies cutting of the mortises, since the setting for all of these mortises -- on the short side aprons and long back apron -- are all the same.
- Next, cut the mortises on the legs to join the aprons. Remember to offset these mortise-cuts (figure D) for the step-down effect mentioned above.
- Cut the mortises in the bottoms of the legs to join the feet.
- With loose tenons pre-cut to fit the mortises (figure E), the short side apron can be dry-fit with the legs. This assembly can then be used to lay out the mortises in the feet.
- Use a pencil and straight-edge to lay out the marks where the mortises will be cut in the feet (figure F).
- Using the multi-router and a 1/2-inch bit, cut two mortises in each of the feet (figure G).
- To add some shape to the ends of the feet, a curve is cut into each end. First, a template is created and used to mark the ends of the feet. The curved shape is then cut out using a 1/4-inch bi-metal blade on the band saw.
- The cut is made slightly oversized. The curves are then cleaned up and smoothed using a rasp, hand-scraper and sanding block (figure H).
- Tip: To create a curved sanding block, wrap a round wooden dowel in 220-grit sandpaper.
- Using the multi-router, a mortise is then cut into the exact center of each foot (figure I). These mortises will be used to join the cross-stretcher.
- Matching mortises are made on each end of the cross-stretcher (figure J).
- With all of the parts and joinery cut, the sides can be glued up and clamped securely (figure K).
- Tip: Using the table-saw, cut some shallow kerfs into the surfaces of the tenons (figure L) to allow glue and air room to move when the tenons are placed snugly into the mortises.
- While the side-supports are drying, attach the back apron to the drawer assembly (figure M) using with glue and wood-screws.
- Using a biscuit joiner, cut slots for attaching the sides to the drawer assembly. Six biscuits are used to join each side -- three on the top and three on the bottom.
- Once the glue holding side pieces has dried, and the biscuit slots are cut, assembly can begin for joining the side pieces to the drawer assembly. First, lay down cauls to support the assembly, and lay down the drawer assembly in the upside-down position (figure N).
- Glue the drawer-assembly to the base, using a slow-setting glue. Attach the left side, the right side, and the cross stretcher. Apply carpenter's tape to the joints (figure O) to catch any excess glue and simplify cleanup.
- Apply clamps evenly to the whole assembly (figure P), using both long and short clamps. Tighten all of the clamps securely, and let the glue set for 24 hours.
In the segment that follows, drawers for the desk are constructed.
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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
The Complete Book of Wood Joinery
Author: Robert J. Decristoforo
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co.
ISBN: 0806999500
Popular Woodworking
F & W Publications, Inc.
Website: www.popularwoodworking.com
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