dec 2010 building process video
Cherry Sofa Table (building process)
This sofa table is a commission based on the sofa table on our portfolio page. The customer wanted a wider table, the new dimensions are ht: 32” wd: 72” dp: 10” Below is the building process for this sofa table.
First, we select the cherry for the table. Wood is selected according to color and grain pattern, cherry can vary quite a bit in color so matching the color is extremely important.
After the wood is selected it is milled to size.
Now, with the legs milled to the correct size, the layout for the mortise and tenon joinery is next. A marking gauge scores the lines into the legs, this is a much more accurate way of laying out joinery than with a pencil.
With the legs laid out, the mortises can be cut on the mortiser. A mortiser is basically a drill press and a chisel combined, the end result is a square hole.
After the mortises are cut in the legs, the tenons on the table aprons are cut to fit into their corresponding leg mortises. The tenons are all fit by hand to ensure a snug fitting joint. The tenons intersect inside the legs, therefore they are mitered to create an even stronger form of joinery.
Below shows how the tenons meet inside the legs. On top of mitered mortise and tenon joinery we pin all the joints on our tables. Pinning the joints is both an attractive feature and just another way to make a piece of furniture that will last for generations.
Next, with the joinery all fit, the legs are tapered with the table saw on a shop made tapering jig. After the legs are tapered, the surfaces are cleaned up with hand planes and scrapers.
The aprons are cleaned up with hand planes and scrapers. This flattens and cleans the surfaces of the wood to prepare them for glue up.
After everything is surfaced, the table is dry fit without glue. At this point, we check for anything that might need to be done before the glue up. Once the table is looked over it is time to prepare for glue. Holes are drilled on the long apron sides of the legs. Draw pins will be used here to pull the joint tight.
Offset holes are drilled into the tenons. This pulls the joint tight when the pin is in place. The cherry pins are then shaped by hand.
Once the pins are shaped the joints are ready to be glued. The glue is applied, the joint is pressed tight by hand, then the pins are tapped in. The draw pins pull the joint tight so no clamps are needed.
Next, the small sides are glued up. They also get pins, these are drilled after they are glued being that they are small enough to get clamped. Once drilled the pins get glue and are tapped into place.
After the glue dries, the pins are cut and pared flush with a hand saw and chisel.
Next, the top is selected. A beautiful, wide piece of cherry will be used. After the top is selected it is milled to size.
Once milled to size, the top is smoothed with hand tools, removing all the machine marks and any other imperfections on the top.
The edges are also shaped by hand. Using various hand planes. This gives the table a more handmade look with slight variations.
Now the table is ready for the final look over.
After some final touch up sanding the table is ready for finish. This table will get a natural oil varnish finish. This is both a protective and beautiful finish. The first coat of oil is applied and allowed to sit for 30 min. before removing the excess. This coat will then dry for at least 24 hrs.
Two or three more coats of finish will probably be needed to build the desired finish. The next coat of finish is “wet sanded” onto the surface using wet dry sandpaper. This keeps the surface extremely smooth while applying another coat of finish.
After three coats of finish the table is starting to build a beautiful finish and sheen. After one final coat of finish this table is ready for delivery.
Finished pictures of this sofa table are on our portfolio page
