September 2010
Pedestal table in cherry
This table is custom designed with a turned pedestal and four feet. The top is 4’ round. The entire table is made of solid cherry. This table is a commissioned piece with the final finish still being decided upon. Below is the handmade process of this table.
First, the table is drawn in full scale. Patterns are made from the plans for the legs and the turning. On this piece a poplar base was turned (for a painted base) on the lathe first for a visual on the overall look of the base. A jig was built to support the pedestal for joinery. Cherry parts are milled for the legs and pedestal.
Next, the 5” square cherry pedestal is cut into an octagonal shape. Then, it is turned on the lathe.
After the the pedestal is shaped and sanded on the lathe it is removed and placed in a shop made jig for the joinery. A flat spot and dovetail slot need to be cut on the four sides of the pedestal base.
Next, after all the joinery is cut in the pedestal base the leg angles are cut into there pieces before the legs are shaped. A sliding dovetail is cut into the leg pieces that fit each of the pedestal dovetail slots.
After all the sliding dovetails are sizes and fit the leg shape is rough cut then the legs are fit.
After being fit the legs are removed for final shaping by hand. Once shaped the surfaces are cleaned up with hand planes and scrapers before being glued up.
Next, the top support block is made of quarter sawn oak for its stability. Then a cherry sub frame is made. This will hold the top to the base. With this design you can have either a tilt top or a fixed top, both can be built to have a removable top making them easier to ship and move.
Next, the wood is meticulously selected for the top, we pay a great deal of attention to the color and grain patterns of the wood. Once the rough lumber is picked for the top it is milled to thickness and length for the 48” round top this pedestal table has. Once everything is milled the top is glued up and allowed to dry overnight.
Once the glue dries the top is cut to size. A shop made router jig is used for cutting large circles.
After the top is cut to size 48” round, the surface is cleaned up with hand tools. Hand planes and a cabinet scraper are used.
Next, a hand scraper is used on the top and edges to prepare the surface for finishing.
After the surface is prepared the subframe that was made previously is attached to the bottom of the table top. This subframe attaches the top to the base and allows for wood movement during changes in humidity. Then the top is set on the base to test the fit and see how the table looks before finishing.
Check back soon for more progress......
