Side table

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:41 am

We finally picked up a couch for our basement after the remodel was done (6 months ago).

I got the okay to build a couple side tables for the couch. I am excited to try. I haven't done something like this before. Most things that I have done have been just simple things.

My uncle did a table that was really nice looking. From what my aunt said, he came up with the design himself. This is too big for what I will need, but I like the looks of it. I like the mission look. The crazy thing, I don't think he has much for tools, so he did this all wiht whatever tools he has. Not much for power tools. And to think I never knew he did woodworking!

Nathan

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:09 am

Good looking table - he must have had some tools and certainly some skill. Lots of mortise and tenon there, so sharpen those bits if you want to make a couple smaller but similar versions. Other than that, it doesn't have tapered legs or anything else to add too much complexity to the build...just a matter of getting everything laid out and squared up properly. What is the top on that table?

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:21 am

dgale- Yeah, I am not knocking his tools. I just don't know what he has honestly. He isn't a talker.

From what I can tell, the top is slate tile. My aunt said it took him a month or so to make it. He just did it as he wanted/had time.

Sorry, I realized I hadn't added a very good picture of the top.

Here is another picture, that shows the top.

I am sending a message to see if I can get some more info from him on the table. Dimensions and things.

Nathan

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 10:56 am

Good looking table. Like dgale said not too much complexity. Will be looking forward to seeing your version.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:08 pm

Nice no nonsense(almost none) design. Relative simple to make with minimal tooling(saw/chisel,mallet(hammer)).

Much easier with a TS.

Scaling down should be a simple task.

Good starting project!

And a stable structure as well.

P.S. If he designed it from scratch, he has more than a casual understanding of working with wood.

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:04 pm

JPG, Definitely. Like I said, he isn't a talker, so I never even knew he was into woodworking. My aunt just said that he made the design, and that he just took his time with what he had. I have sent a message and asked some questions on it. waiting to hear back. Can't wait to start working on it.

Yeah, my table saw broke a belt, and I have been having problems using the table saw on the SS. However, for small cuts like this table would require, it should be okay to do.

Nathan

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:09 pm

stickthrower wrote:JPG, Definitely. Like I said, he isn't a talker, so I never even knew he was into woodworking. My aunt just said that he made the design, and that he just took his time with what he had. I have sent a message and asked some questions on it. waiting to hear back. Can't wait to start working on it.

Yeah, my table saw broke a belt, and I have been having problems using the table saw on the SS. However, for small cuts like this table would require, it should be okay to do.

Nathan

Curious what problems/workpieces you are encountering with the SS TS.

It can be a real pita if not aligned properly(at least it IS adjustable). Same for any poorly aligned TS.

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 4:39 pm

Probably alignment is part of my problem. I have tried hard to make sure it is aligned, but I don't know. For aligning, I measured what the size cut was going to be, moved the fence over for that cut, then would measure off the front and back of the blade to the fence to ensure I had the right length, and then I would also go to the back edge and front edge of the table and make sure they were equal as well.

I have had many times when I was cutting down some pine board (1x10) to make into a bottle cap box for a coworkers boyfriend to hang on their raling. I was trying to cut the board down and I kept having the wood grabbing the blade. I made sure the fence was aligned by measuring off the cut and teh fence and making sure the fence was squared up to the blade. Yet it still kept grabbing.

I also tried to cut a 45 degree angle, for the corners and (this I am pretty sure is just my issue) could not get the angles to line up for the 4 pieces. I could usually only get 2 or 3 of the sides to line up, and I never moved the table or fence. so I don't know what was going on with that.

I never had the same problems with my other table saw. I had the speed up on the SS for cutting, but it would catch and then trip the power strip. At least it wasn't causing damage, but was frustrating.

Maybe everything is just what I am doing. I got pretty frustrated with the box. I did make it, but didn't like how it turned out, so I didn't give it to her. Now, at least I have a couple months before spring (wonder MN winter) before I need to have it finished.

I tried many different ways to get the box together. I finally was trying to just cut a 45 degree angle on it, gluing it and tacking it with some brad nails from the nail gun.

Nathan

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Sat Jan 05, 2013 11:13 pm

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dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:47 am

stickthrower wrote:Probably alignment is part of my problem. I have tried hard to make sure it is aligned, but I don't know. For aligning, I measured what the size cut was going to be, moved the fence over for that cut, then would measure off the front and back of the blade to the fence to ensure I had the right length, and then I would also go to the back edge and front edge of the table and make sure they were equal as well.

I have had many times when I was cutting down some pine board (1x10) to make into a bottle cap box for a coworkers boyfriend to hang on their raling. I was trying to cut the board down and I kept having the wood grabbing the blade. I made sure the fence was aligned by measuring off the cut and teh fence and making sure the fence was squared up to the blade. Yet it still kept grabbing.

I also tried to cut a 45 degree angle, for the corners and (this I am pretty sure is just my issue) could not get the angles to line up for the 4 pieces. I could usually only get 2 or 3 of the sides to line up, and I never moved the table or fence. so I don't know what was going on with that.

I never had the same problems with my other table saw. I had the speed up on the SS for cutting, but it would catch and then trip the power strip. At least it wasn't causing damage, but was frustrating.

Maybe everything is just what I am doing. I got pretty frustrated with the box. I did make it, but didn't like how it turned out, so I didn't give it to her. Now, at least I have a couple months before spring (wonder MN winter) before I need to have it finished.

I tried many different ways to get the box together. I finally was trying to just cut a 45 degree angle on it, gluing it and tacking it with some brad nails from the nail gun.

Nathan

Perhap's perfect timing on Shopsmith's latest online special:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/specials/7DU350.htm

I haven't seen this actual video but have heard nothing but good things about the whole series, and the alignment gauge is pretty much a must have for getting your alignment right for doing fine woodworking. For years I only used my SS as a table saw for cutting framing lumber and siding etc. while restoring my house...precision wasn't important for this stuff but on the rare occasion I found the time to make a picture frame or other item that required clean-fitting miters, I quickly learned how out of whack my saw was. This special would be $75 well spent before you tackle a project along the lines of your Uncle's table.