Thread: New low occasional table

Hi John I have had the privilege to view your work and it is awesome. You are an accomplished woodworker and I think that your work should be entered into the AWR awards.
regards Tony

You are far too kind, Tony.

We have progress. First the legs were cut (I already had the right sized template) on the bandsaw after which time they were sanded square on the linisher. Then I stand them up as per the two photos below.

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Once you have them in a cluster you walk around them. If they are not nicely symmetrical, you will notice it very quickly. Then I do it again having inverted the cluster of legs. In this case they were fine. They very nearly always are. Don't be fooled ... especially by yourself ... cabriole legs are not difficult to make.


Next each leg returns to the wheel of the linisher to be rounded off and to have the feet shaped. In this case slipper feet have been chosen over rounded feet. I have both types of feet in the room where this piece will live, so the feet could go either way. Most people prefer the round feet. I prefer the slipper feet.
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I have never used a spoke shave or similar to shape the legs. After cutting on the bandsaw I do the entire job with the linisher (and/or the spindle sander which uses less aggressive sandpaper) and hand sanding.

Finally, the legs need to be hand sanded. That might start today, and might not. That's the really cool thing about being retired. I get to please myself about what will be done and when.

And here are some other components. Two long and two short aprons for my long, low, skinny table which sits at windowsill height.

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The aprons are cut to size on the table saw. Then I tilt the blade to remove most of the material from the top outside edge, to match the upper curve of the leg. Then the aprons are rounded off on the linisher to be a close match to the top of the legs. Finish sanding happens after assembly.

Once the legs are hand sanded smooth, assembly can start. All joinery will be floating tenons. I do love my Domino and the floating tenons. Precise mortice location ... snug tenon fit ... great strength and tight, pretty joints.

Cabriole legs have a variety of styles, as do the feet.

In the pic below are two feet. The finished foot on the right is a medium length leg (about 400 mm). The unfinished foot on the left is a quite short leg ... about 275 mm.

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Note how the right hand foot is more pointed toward the toe, whereas the left hand foot is almost flat.

The choice is a matter of taste. On short legs I prefer to flatten the foot and to maximise the "movement" between knee and ankle by keeping the ankle low and the foot flat. If you are new to cabriole legs its helpful to make a leg template (with a pointed foot/toe) out of 3 mm MDF or ply. Once you are happy with the leg, draw up another leg but lower the ankle and give it a flat foot. The piece with the lower ankle and flat foot will appear to have more movement in the leg, especially around the ankle.

None of this is a big deal. These things are a matter of taste, but it can be helpful to do several experiments like this to get a look you like.

Hand sanded and ready for assembly.

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Legs assembled with short aprons. Using PU glue this time.

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Assembly with long aprons.

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Top made and fastened to frame.

A few small imperfections filled with plastic wood. All it needs now is a final finish sand and it will be ready for the sanding sealer and lacquer.

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Arghhhhhh ...

I kept getting pinholes in the sanding sealer to the top.

Hit it with the Solarez. Problem solved.

Now, hopefully, I can get on with the lacquer.

Finished.

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