John F. Adams

This small table was made to use up some odd pieces of wood, but has proved so very convenient that a description is here given. The top is 22" x 32" x 7/8", glued up from two pieces of white wood. The legs are 30" x 2 3/4" x 1 3/4", spruce joist in this case, planed up smooth. The larger pieces under the top are 26" x 3" x 7/8", the shorter one 14 1/2" x 3" x 7/8". This allows 3/4" on each end for tenons to fit mortises cut in the tops of the legs, spaced so as to bring the outer edges 3/8" from the outer sides of the legs. The mortises were made full size of the cross pieces, but a better way is to cut tenons with a 3/16" shoulder, and mortises to match, the table then being more rigid.

The cross pieces for the shelf are of the same lengths as those above but are 2" wide, mortises being cut in the legs so as to bring the under side of these pieces 9" from the floor. The joints were glued, and pinned with dowels made from meat skewers. It may be well to state that gluing in cold weather should be done in a warm room, the stock to be glued having been warmed to at least the temperature of the room. The shelf is also glued up, and when thoroughly dry cut to fit around the legs, then nailed through the cross pieces. The top is attached to the upper cross pieces by eight screws, 1/2" holes being bored to a depth of 2" and screw holes the rest of the way. These holes should be bored before finally setting up the table, as there is hardly room for a bit stock and bit between the cross pieces when put together.

After sand-papering, weathered oak stain was applied, this dark stain being particularly suitable for such a table. It was thinned out a little with spirits to bring out the grain a little, the woods used having but little markings. A coat of thin varnish completed the finish.