DIY Network

Entry Table: Assembling the Table From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-104

Host Amy Devers assembles the tables using dowel rods, and then she uses a chamfer bit on the router table to create a beveled edge.

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Host Amy Devers assembles the table in this segment of Freeform Furniture.

Materials:

Eucalyptus rough lumber
Push block
Measuring device
Safety glasses
Miter gauge
White glue
Trowel
Clamps
Dowels
Combination square
Pencil
Awl
Dowel center points
Masking tape
T-square
Biscuits
Chamfer bit
Cowhide
Wooden form
Bucket
Hot water
Glue brush
Utility knife
Ruler
Template boards
Double stick tape
180-grit sandpaper
220-grit sandpaper
Clean cotton cloth
Rubber gloves
Leather dye
Wipe-on polyurethane
Mallet

Tools:

Jointer
Planer
Table saw
Hammer
Drill press
Biscuit jointer
Vacuum bit
Jigsaw
Router

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Assembling the Table

1. Use a combination square to mark the placement for the dowels on the bottom of the side pieces of the table. Use an awl and hammer and gently tap into the center of the mark (figure A). The indents will help the drill center itself.

   
   

2. Using the feed lever on the drill press, lower the drill making a hole a little bit deeper than half the length of the dowel (any less will create a gap in the finished joint). Select a drill bit that will drill out a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel because a drill bit that is the same diameter will actually create a hole that is slightly larger after being drilled. Repeat the process for the holes on the bottom of the table sides (figure B).

   
   

3. Once the holes are drilled in the bottom of the side piece, mark for the location of the dowels in the side of the base piece using dowel center points.

   
   

4. Insert the dowel centers into the drilled holes on the side pieces (figure C).

   
   

5. Set 90-degree jig and clamp it down. Line up the base with the jig and press down on the dowel center points creating divots that are identical to the marks that you used with the awl on the sides. With the marks made on the base piece, clamp it down to the table. Using the same bit from the drill press, make the holes for the dowels. Drill straight and perpendicular to the base. The base is now ready for dry fitting.

   
   Note: To assure you are achieving uniform depth holes, wrap the drill bit with a small piece of tape which indicates when to stop drilling (figure D).

   
   

6. The base is ready for a dry fitting. To assure the side and base fit properly, install the dowels into the side piece. Drop the base onto the dowels, and with the combination square make sure everything lines up at a right angle.

   
   

7. Once the bottom is dry fit, you can cut the joints to connect the top to the sides. To join the two parts, use compressed wood biscuits. To cut the crescent shape slots for these biscuits, use a biscuit joiner and insert the biscuits into the slots (figure E). Repeat the process for the other side of the top.

   
   Note: Compressed wood biscuits come in a variety of sizes--the most common are labeled 0, 10 and 20.

   
   

8. For the edges, put a 10-degree bevel on the edge of all the sides and then put a small chamfer on the base using a router and a chamfer bit.

   
   

9. With the blade set to 10 degrees, rip the work piece on the table saw. Repeat this process cutting a 10-degree bevel on the edges of all the parts.

   
   

10. To soften the base of the table, cut a chamfer by routing the edge to a 45-degree angle.

    
    Note: By breaking the edge, you don't have to worry about the corners chipping.

RESOURCES :

Delta Woodworking Power Tools
Website: www.deltawoodworking.com

Vacuum Pressing System
Website: www.vacupress.com

Festool
Website: www.festoolusa.com

Gladiator Garageworks by Whirlpool
Website: www.gladiatorgw.com

Stanley Tools Product Group
Website: www.stanleytools.com

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Inc.
Website: www.lie-nielsen.com

WMH Tool Group
Website: www.wmhtoolgroup.com

Power Tools (Porter Cable)
Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.portercable.com

Hand Tools
Garrett Wade Co., Inc.
Website: www.garrettwade.com

The Peck Tool Company
Website: www.pecktool.com

Biesemeyer
Website: www.biesemeyer.com

Saw Blades
Forrest Manufacturing Company
Website: www.vacupress.com

Jogensen Adjustable Clamp Company
Website: www.adjustableclamp.com

Adhesives, Abrasives and Safety Equipment
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Ulmia GmbH
Website: www.ulmia.de

Lumber
Weyerhaeuser Co.
Website: www.weyerhaeuser.com

Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com

Shop Equipment
Eagle Manufacturing Company
Website: www.eagle-mfg.com