Object

A model to introduce simple general principles of table construction, the principles being similar to those necessary for hall, draught, chess, and writing tables, etc.

The Joints are all mortises and tenons, the "stubbed "type being utilized for the wide rails and connexion of under rails with the legs. In the case of the second example, showing two rails near the centre of the side-rails, small through mortises and tenons should be used, or the long rails can be shouldered and lap dovetailed into the short ones from underneath. The latter is very effective and prevents the shoulders opening; it has also the advantage of not showing the construction under ordinary circumstances.

The Process

1. First saw out the wood, either mahogany or walnut, to the following sizes:-

Fig. 11. An occasional table.

Fig. 11.-An occasional table.

English.

Metric.

4

pieces legs

2 ft.

6

in.

X

1 3/8

X

1 3/8

in.

79.5

X

3.5

X

3.5

cm.

2

long rails

1 ft.

10

in.

X

4f

X

7 8

in.

58

X

12.5

X

2.2

cm.

2

short „

1 ft.

2

in.

X

4|

X

7 $

in.

36.5

X

12.5

X

2.2

cm.

I

top

2 ft.

2 1/2

in.

X

16 1/2

X

5

8

in.

69

X

42.5

X

1.6

cm.

2

short bottom rails

1 ft.

1 1/2

in.

X

7

X

1/2

in.

35

X

2.2

X

1.3

cm.

2

long

1 ft.

94

in.

X

7 8

X

1/2

in.

58.5

X

2.2

X

1.3

cm.

4

tablets

6

in.

X

1 3/4

X

3

8

in.

16

X

4.4

X

1

cm.

2. Plane up all material on face, side, and face edge, then to thickness.

3. Gauge and plane legs, top, and bottom rails and tablets to width.

4. Square up top to required size, or cut to shape if curved.

5. Place the four legs together and handscrew same together, then square across all required lines, viz. total length, and top and bottom mortise lines.

6. Separate the legs and square lines on adjoining inside faces.

7. Place rails together, two top and two bottom rails in each set and set off shoulder lines.

8. Separate the pieces, and return shoulder lines on all wide faces, back and front. Then mark mortise and tenon lines on all pieces.

9. Cut out the mortise and saw the tenon lines and shoulders; fit two long sides together, and when adjusted satisfactorily, clean up all parts and glue up.

10. When the latter are dry fit in all short rails, clean up the various pieces and glue between the long sides. It should be measured on the diagonals of plan and elevation to ensure the whole being properly square.

11. Cut and glue in tablets, then saw off spare wood of legs at top and bottom and plane top side true. Prepare pockets for screwing through rails into top.

12. Shape and inlay top if required, clean up and fix by pocket screwing from inside the rails.