| Glass-Top Table -- Table-Top and Corner Splines |
From "Wood Works"
episode WWK-305 |
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Table Top and Corner Splines With the base frame of the table built, you can now turn your attention to the frame for the table top. The frame is made from solid mahogany and strengthened and adorned with spline miters at each corner. The top overhangs the base by about an inch all the way around.
Materials: Mahogany stock for frame
Mahogany stock for splines
Table saw
Band saw
Miter jig
Spline jig
Yellow wood-glue
Carpenter's pencil
Band clamp
Bar clamps
Spring clamps
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, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.
Steps:
- While the frame stock is still square -- before cutting the miters for the corners -- cut the rabbets that will hold the glass. At the table saw, make the rabbet in two passes. The first cut is 1/4-inch deep to accommodate the 1/4-inch-thick glass that will be installed later. Make this cut in all four pieces of the frame stock.
- Next, raise the blade and re-set the fence to make the second pass, cutting the width of the rabbet 1/2-inch (figure A).
- With the rabbets cut, the frame stock can be cut to length. At the table saw, use a miter jig with an auxiliary fence attached (to support the stock), and a stop-block clamped in place, to cut the matching sides of the frame to uniform length (figure B). Cut miters on the two longer frame pieces first, then reset the stop-block to cut the two shorter pieces.
- With all the pieces miter-cut, glue the pieces together using yellow glue (figure C).
- Use a band-clamp to hold the frame assembly secure as the glue dries (figure D). Allow a couple of hours for the glue to dry.
- Once the glue has dried, the miter-joints can be reinforced using corner splines. The spline joints add both strength and a decorative touch. Place the frame in a spline jig at the table saw (figure E).
- The spline jig holds the frame in place to make identical kerf cuts in each corner of the frame (figure F).
- Use mahogany stock to make the splines for the frame. Mark the stock and use the band saw to rough-cut the triangular splines (figure G).
- To glue the splines into the kerfs, first work some glue into each of the kerfs and brush glue onto the splines before inserting each of the splines (figure H ).
- Clamp the splines and frame assembly together using bar clamps, spring-clamps, triangular blocks and corner blocks (figure I).
In the segment that follows, the top and base are joined together, and the table is given a wood finish.
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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
Popular Woodworking
F & W Publications, Inc.
Website: www.popularwoodworking.com
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