an afternoons work

[mattym83]

Well just thought i would post some pics of a coffee table i started making at 12 today
i finished at 5 and thats when the photos were taken
dont think i did too badly considering i am a newbie and this is my first time doing mortice and tennon joints
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2792124920056315768TeFBXmhttp://pets.webshots.com/photo/2044111980056315768crjjuO
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2792124920056315768TeFBXm
sorry for the links i could not add them properly
timber is tasmanian blackwood
first pic is the top being glued and clamped
second is the rails and post dry fitted still have to tapper legs and then the usual sand and finish was thinking of using wipe on poly

[Wild Dingo]

Well done mate!! :2tsup:

Soooo?? wheres the finished pic??? mmmmmm?? beautiful looking timber and a fine job on the joins :2tsup:

Cheers
Shane

[*Kev]

Looking good. What size is the table?

[Peter36]

You did'nt have time to scratch yourself then .:D

Looks good . Do'nt forget the finished photo

Peter

[martrix]

Any particular reason as to why you put the sapwood on the outside corner of the legs?

[mcarthur]

Good to see. I thought the pics were mislabeled into the "pets and aquatic" section until I saw the Aquadhere bottle :;.

Rob

[derekcohen]

Hi Matty

Nice work. I look forward to the end.

Change your photo album provider! When you log onto your pics, all sorts of pop ups appear.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[mattym83]

Any particular reason as to why you put the sapwood on the outside corner of the legs?
i liked the variance in the colours dont know why i just prefer it that way, is it something that is not supposed to be done??
it also matches the top with the lighter boards on the outside and darker boards on the inside.
pics are in the aquatic section as i did not feel like making the extra effort and time of making a new album lol
was feeling rather tired by the stage i first posted this

[TEEJAY]

Coming together well Matty. :2tsup:

Just make sure you have the top so it can float (expand and contract) when you fit it to the base - else it will tear apart your base frame.

You may already know this but as you said you are a newbie i thought i should say it all the same. :wink:

[mattym83]

how do you mean float how should i attatch it i havent got to this part yet. i just thought i would cut a couple of fillets and screw onto the rails and then onto the top can you suggest and better ways?

[mattym83]

okay thought i would add a few pics of todays work
pic 1 first legs and rails being glued
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2929818000056315768OaTWrB
pic2 both sets of legs being glued
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2115022530056315768xiOkYI
unfortunately i only have 2 clamps big enough for clamping so have to glue the base in 2 steps this is the first step
pic 3 top after being unclamped
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2275317640056315768eDJzcG
pic 4
top all sanded back and routered edges just waiting for black putty to set before it can be sanded
thought i would make the putty a bit of a feature as it would be better to look at then putty that doesnt really match
[/URL][url]http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2032019810056315768OdroqU (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2275317640056315768eDJzcG)

[mattym83]

the legs took quite a while to taper as my band saw is out of action while i wait for the part
but my project couldnt wait so all tapering was done with a plane( the largest pile of wood chips i have seen in my workshop lol filled up half the wheelie been by the end of the day:U)
dimensions of tabe are 700x700mmx550 high
was going to be 500 high but decided that 550 would be better as our lounges are quite tall
i will be finishing it with minwax wipe on poly. wondered if anybody had any hints on the best way to use this stuff, as poly that i have used before has not worked well for me.
thanks matt

[TEEJAY]

how do you mean float how should i attatch it i havent got to this part yet. i just thought i would cut a couple of fillets and screw onto the rails and then onto the top can you suggest and better ways?


Timber expands a lot more width wise to length so your boards on top will get wider and narrower so this needs to be able to happen. Lock it into your base and it will tear appart either the top at the joints and or the base at the joints.

Usual method is to put tags onto the top and key them into recesses in your rails. I remember Lignum did a very good article on it once - not sure if it was within the thread by Auld Bassoon some time ago when he was making his own table - if you do a search you will find something - but do make allowance for this if you want your table to last.

Your a lucky guy - I have just done all the hard work for you

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=49571&highlight=table+tag

[mattym83]

Your a lucky guy - I have just done all the hard work for you

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=49571&highlight=table+tag
thanks i was dreading having to do a search

[mattym83]

okay now i understand but what is the easiest way of making those holes in the rails as i am fairly limited with tools.

[TEEJAY]

okay now i understand but what is the easiest way of making those holes in the rails as i am fairly limited with tools.

Drill and chisel or router and guide

[Woodlee]

Good job .
Nice fish tank too ,I'm sure I've seen that picture before ,you must have posted it here before.

Kev.

[mattym83]

fish tank has never been posted here before. i bought it off ebay and revamped it too make it better, unfortunately i do not have the space to have it set up at my current house.

[mattym83]

how far apart should the buttons to hold top on be placed?
how many should be used per table?dimensions again are 700x700 for the top with the rails just a little smaller

[mattym83]

okay some new pics
first pic frame all glued up and sanded first coat of minwax poly done
second pic top beforesanding sealer and poly
more pics to come in the next couple of days

[RicB]

I made a similar sized coffee table from Jarrah, that had large 2inch by 2inch legs and chunky rails. I used wood buttons, 3 a side so a total of 12. It was a wedding pressie for my sister. It is still going strong 14 years later with a couple of rowdy boys that have been all over it. So I would suggest the same for your table.:2tsup: