| Sculpted Pedestal Table -- Crescent Legs |
From "Wood Works"
episode WWK-402 |
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Crescent Legs With the, tabletop and sub-top made, and the joinery complete in the pedestal, the next step is to create the crescent-shaped legs. Materials: Bubinga stock
Table saw; mitering jig
Router table;1/8-inch round-over bit
Band saw
Oscillating spindle-sander
Sharp chisel
Combination square
Razor saw
Curved file
Clamps
Straight-edge
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 wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc. Steps:
- To create the crescent legs, a template is cut from MDF. It's important that, when tracing the pattern on the stock, the template is positioned on the stock to incorporate the strength of the grain in the leg. Orient the pattern to get as much long-grain as possible running through the leg.
- Using a combination square, line up the MDF pattern onto the leg-stock at a 45-degree angle and trace a line (figure A).
- Using a mitering jig at the table-saw, batch-cut the 45-degree angles on all of the leg stock (figure B).
- Before cutting the legs -- while the stock is still square -- cut the long pins for the dovetail joinery at the router table. First, clamp a guide-block (made from some scrap plywood) over the stock so that the leg is supported firmly against the fence, maintaining the 45-degree angle (figure C).
- Cut one side, then flip the stock and cut the opposing side to create the dovetail (figure D).
- With the joinery cut, dry-fit the legs to the pedestal to ensure a good fit.
- Next, cut the curved legs at the band saw (figure E). Cut all of the leg stock just a bit oversized to allow for shaping.
- Since bubinga is a dense hardwood, an oscillating spindle-sander is used for shaping the curve (figure F) rather than the table router. Using this sander will help minimize chip-out. The curved shape of the oscillating drum is the ideal tool for shaping curved dense wood like this because it will minimize scallop marks like those associated with drum sanders. It also helps prevent the chip-out that sometimes occurs with flush-trim bits.
- Next, use a 1/8-inch round-over bit at the router table to shape the edges of the leg-stock (figure G). For safety, use a push-block to move the small-sized stock around the bit.
- To make the layout marks for the rounded shoulders of the joinery, use a penny as a template (figure H).
- Once you've made the layout marks, use a razor-saw to cut away the shoulder.
- Carefully chisel away the edges to make a rounded corner (figure I) to match the dovetail slots on the bottom of the pedestal.
- Round out the shoulder with a curved file (figure J).
- With the curves cut in the legs, conduct another dry-fit to ensure that the pieces all fit properly (figure K). Check that all four legs are level, and that the top is parallel to the floor.
In the segment that follows, work begins on sculpting the spiral shape in the pedestal. Sponsored Resource
> Click here to order your tools and materials for this project from Woodcraft!
RESOURCES :
Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
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
Beds and Bedroom Furniture: The Best of Fine Woodworking
Model: 1561581917
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking
(1997)
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
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