The Bottom Cross Rails

The bottom cross rails are to be joined to the corner posts with mortise and tenon joints. Square the stock, and make these pieces the dimensions given in the drawing. Lay out and make tenons. Test each tenon in its proper mortise.

The Shelf

The shelf takes the place of a front cross rail. The shelf is made of soft material, but it should have a front edge of hardwood. It may be made by gluing up pieces, the same as you have glued up the top. Remove the clamps from the top, and surface it on both sides; cut it the size shown in the drawing.

Assembling

In work of this kind you will find it convenient to assemble one pair of legs at a time. Glue the joints, test with the square to make sure the legs stand perfectly square with the cross rail. Clamp securely and leave for the glue to harden. In like manner clamp the opposite pair of legs. When these two are well set, put in the back cross rail and the stretcher between the lower cross rails and assemble. The top is to be fastened in position with screws, either with strips or the angle screws. When the top is fastened securely in position, put in the shelf and fasten it by nailing through the side rails. Be very careful in the nailing process not to bruise the work. With a sharp-pointed nail set, drive the nails slightly below the surface of the wood.

The Binding Strip

This small strip is tacked to the lower edge of the top rail around three sides of the stool, and thus forms a carrier to hold the stool, and also gives a sort of panel appearance to the top rail; it should fit the corner posts snugly.

The Stool

The stool is to be built almost exactly as the stand has been built, except that it has a top rail entirely around. Prepare each part and assemble the stool in a similar manner to which you have constructed the stand.

Finishing

When both pieces of work have been properly assembled, go over them with a sharp steel scraper, and remove all pencil and tool marks. Be sure the corners are all sharp and distinct. Wherever the end grain is exposed it must have special attention to make it perfectly smooth. Stain the desired color, and finish with shellac or varnish.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

Kitchen Table

1. This plan of constructing a table, with the rails tenoned into the legs, has a great many applications in practical work. By using heavier legs, and changing the size of the top as desired, a very servicable kitchen table may be constructed.

Chafing Dish Table

2. With very slight modifications this stand could be converted into a satisfactory chafing dish table. It should have a small cabinet in which to keep the chafing dish and utensils. This could be easily prepared by using a very wide skirting board with a shelf in the bottom: the cabinet should be provided with a dustproof door.