Thread: Shaker Sewing Table

Thanks for the info, sounds like you made good use of the visit.

Cheers.

I saw this table in Guidice's book, but was a little turned off by what appears to be cross-grain construction at the junction of the legs and aprons. Guidice says to glue the aprons to the legs, but the grain direction of the aprons is at right angle to that of the legs. and you can't let the tenon float because the aprons are what hold the carcase together. For a narrow apron, I don't think this would be much of an issue, although I usually use much shorter tenons than the full-length one Guidice uses. But for a 7-inch apron, the amount of wood movement would not be inconsiderable. How did you address this?

Originally Posted by Wood Alchemist

But for a 7-inch apron, the amount of wood movement would not be inconsiderable. How did you address this?

You could make it into two tenons, each say 2.5", with one mortice elongated to allow for movement. Only glue one tenon.
You'd need to look at the design to work out which one to glue. Instinct says to glue the top one.

Originally Posted by Wood Alchemist

I saw this table in Guidice's book, but was a little turned off by what appears to be cross-grain construction at the junction of the legs and aprons. Guidice says to glue the aprons to the legs, but the grain direction of the aprons is at right angle to that of the legs. and you can't let the tenon float because the aprons are what hold the carcase together. For a narrow apron, I don't think this would be much of an issue, although I usually use much shorter tenons than the full-length one Guidice uses. But for a 7-inch apron, the amount of wood movement would not be inconsiderable. How did you address this?

It was a learning experience so if it cracks so be it, but so far so good; although the weather has been fairly stable so its not really been tested yet.

I used American Cherry which I think is a fairly stable wood, and is true to the original design, so we will see what happens. Looks great anyway.

I like it, thanks for showing, if I had the space at home I would make one.

Great work!

Very nice!!

I know I commented on your beautiful table earlier, but... Cherry is one of my favourite timbers and the stuff you used for the drawers is quite lovely.

Originally Posted by Glennet

I visited the Shaker village at Hancock and the woodworker there told me that the idea was to rub vigorously so the friction heat thins the oil and helps it penetrate.

Warming the oil/oil mixture beforehand does the same thing without wearing out your elbow. Deep penetration is essential to bring out the figure in Cherry. I usually thin the first coat of oil with up to 60% pure turps to really get it deep into the wood.

Originally Posted by Glennet

The Hancock village is fantastic. They have gone out of their way to make it an authentic experience and to keep the quality. Even the souvenirs are good, I bought a perfectly made shaker box about four inches long. Unfortunately we could only spare an hour or so there, but it would certainly justify a full day (or more). Because of the time constraints my wife took mainly panning video clips, each a few seconds long, of the rooms we visited rather than stills. There are about 20 of them, averaging about 20Mb each. I don't want to upload them because of the size (and the administrator of this site probably wouldn't be too happy either). I've converted them to MP4 which loses some quality and gives about 1Mb each. Is there somewhere on this site I can put those?

Apparently, Glennet, there is a way to host the videos.
You email them through to Ubeaut and they will be put up in an index to which you can link in a post. They will then be downloaded to the computer of anyone who clicks on the links and will play on their media player program. I think that's right, but don't rely on it, 'puters have me foxed....