Jarrah Dining Table

**TP1** · 15th October 2010, 08:50 PM

With a big Christmas lunch expected at our house this year, I decided to build a new and bigger Jarrah dining table to replace the old small one.

I didn't draw up any designs for the table but had decided that the table top needed to be around 2m x 1m.

Photos.

1. I usually joint one edge of the board and rip the other with a Freud Glueline blade, but decided to use the thicknesser to create the other edge for jointing.

2. The boards were all joined together at once with no dominoes or biscuits. I was relying on the jointer/thicknesser to get all boards to an identical thickness as well as the convenience of the Frontline clamps.

The Frontline clamps meant that alignment was easy but there was a lot of gluing to do at once. I chose Titebond 3 for this glue-up because it allows for a longer glue-up time than Titebond 2. Parallel clamps were also used, although it isn't necessary according to Frontline.

3. I then built the frame to allow for an assembled height of 750mm. 90mm rails were used and the legs had a finished size of 90mm square. The legs were tapered using a Carbatec tapering jig. This made things very easy indeed.

The rails were fixed to the legs using dominoes. A central rail was attached after the frame was built (with biscuits) so that the exact width dimension could be achieved. I then fitted brace supports on each corner including the central rail.

4. The corner braces were fixed using 4 M10 x 30mm screws into the side rails and also bolted diagonally into the legs using 2 M8 x 90mm coach bolts. I don't know if this is overkill but it sure does feel strong which I think all Jarrah tables should.

5. To add a touch of style I added beading to the rails with this double bead cutter on the spindle moulder

6. The beaded rails

Tomorrow I will start on attaching the top to the frame and sanding it flat.

**groeneaj** · 15th October 2010, 09:17 PM

Looking really good mate

I love those frontline clamps that you are using, they must take the stress out of the glue up!

Andy

**Pops** · 15th October 2010, 10:11 PM

Hi TP1,

Looking good. And a pretty solid table too. How many do you exoect to seat around it? My guess was a very comfortable 8.

Also like the beading detail.

Keep us posted, with pics of course.

Cheers
Pops

**Christos** · 15th October 2010, 11:54 PM

You have done some very fine work very quickly.

**BobR** · 16th October 2010, 08:57 AM

Looking good.

**TP1** · 16th October 2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by groeneaj

Looking really good mate

I love those frontline clamps that you are using, they must take the stress out of the glue up!

Andy

They certainly do. I think they are worthwhile (for me anway) given the type of work I am doing. It's amazing how you can justify certain purchases to yourself!

Originally Posted by Pops

Hi TP1,

Looking good. And a pretty solid table too. How many do you exoect to seat around it? My guess was a very comfortable 8.

Also like the beading detail.

Keep us posted, with pics of course.

Cheers
Pops

Thanks Pops. I am expecting the table to take around 8 people if needed. I did a quick check with chairs around the frame and it looks good.

I nearly didn't do the beading but I am glad I did. Mouldings like this are easy to do on a spindle moulder or router table and I think they help define your own style.

**TP1** · 16th October 2010, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Christos

You have done some very fine work very quickly.

Originally Posted by BobR

Looking good.

Thanks fellas. I am trying to keep up the momentum with this one as I have taken over the garage while it is being built.

**artme** · 17th October 2010, 09:23 AM

Looking Good TP1!!

I am always a bit iffy about the use of screws into corners of posts. I have seen many problems caused with breakages there.

acmegridley · 17th October 2010, 11:50 AM

Used to love xmas lunches with all the family around,used to go to my elder brothers place ,great times,good food, telling jokes, shooting the breeze, catching up with one another,future plans,etc etc Unfortunately I'm the only survivng brother left,out of a family of six,so now mostly spend it quitely at home.Time catches up with us all, treasure it while you can.
Hope that table will have many happy memories in the future.

**TP1** · 17th October 2010, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by artme

Looking Good TP1!!

I am always a bit iffy about the use of screws into corners of posts. I have seen many problems caused with breakages there.

Gulp...

Do you mean breakage from stress?

I drilled reasonable pilot holes first and did not tighten too much - just enough to locate the brace. I saw this on a USA forum and have used coach bolts in Jarrah in outdoor structures so I thought it could help.

**TP1** · 17th October 2010, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by acmegridley

Used to love xmas lunches with all the family around,used to go to my elder brothers place ,great times,good food, telling jokes, shooting the breeze, catching up with one another,future plans,etc etc Unfortunately I'm the only survivng brother left,out of a family of six,so now mostly spend it quitely at home.Time catches up with us all, treasure it while you can.
Hope that table will have many happy memories in the future.

Thanks for the kind thought. I do hope it will be associated with happy times

**TP1** · 17th October 2010, 04:41 PM

I have made some progress this weekend.

Photo 1. I first flattened the underside of the table top using the Bosch belt sander with frame. The Bosch is very smooth indeed and with the frame belt sanding was surprisingly accurate as well as fast. I cut the table to length using a track saw.

Photo 2. I then used a biscuit cutter to cut grooves for the table clips. The clips were pressed into position.

Photo 3. The frame was then screwed into the table top using 8G x 20mm screws.

Photo 4. I then flattened the table top and did some preliminary sanding.

NEXT. Fill any imperfections and fine sand the the top ready for applying the finish, which will most likely to be wipe on poly. I have spray equipment but haven't become expert enough at this stage to use it on a project like this.

**groeneaj** · 17th October 2010, 05:20 PM

You work bloody fast mate!

Looking really good

**3 toed sloth** · 17th October 2010, 06:56 PM

Hi TP,

Nice work on the table, can't wait to see it with the finish.

**TP1** · 18th October 2010, 03:52 PM

I actually had a dream run with the table top - -by my standards anyway. The top was not bad straight out of the clamps with the exception of one board which moved at each extremity. Next time I will clamp closer to the ends to combat this. As far as the flattening process went, the belt sander with sanding frame was fast and accurate. I can't understand why all manufacturers don't market their belt sanders together with sanding frames, like Festool usually do. They would be used a lot more I am sure.

I got some good tips from this forum when I asked for advice on a coffee table top a few months back. I essentially kept the frontline clamps tightened for vertical pressure from the glue-up until I was ready to flatten one side. I had eased the side clamping pressure in the meantime. By immediately attaching the top to the frame and before working on the top side, there was no real chance for the wood to move through variations in humidity, thereby avoiding extra work.

Mind you, getting all that big Jarrah planed and dimensioned correctly took a while until I could replace my old machine which had blown its motor while trying to cope.

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