Popular Woodworking 2008-06 № 169, страница 23

Shape with power. Hand tools can achieve a flat foot top, but power sanding at a spindle sander is quick, accurate and repeatable. Goodbye hard-to-work end grain.

A right way to cut. There is a specific cut order to remove the waste from the two faces ofthe leg block. Choose wisely and the work is quick.

apart at minimum. Slight variations will be imperceptible in the finished table.

Profile and Fit the Aprons

Aprons join the legs with mortise-and-tenon joints. Positioning the legs to cut a mortise in the correct location is a bit tricky. Place a support under the top block ofthe leg to keep the knee off the surface. As you can see in the photo below left, I cut the 'A" x^A" x 1" mortises with the back ofthe leg block against the fence of a dedicated mortise machine.

Aprons are cut to size according to the cut list on page 38 and tenons are formed on both ends of each apron to fit the mortises. Before assembly takes place, slot openings for the candle slides have to be cut into the end aprons. Locate the slot, then use a plunge router with a straight bit to create the opening. A straight fence attached to the router makes this quick work. Chisel the corners square, then begin work on the inside face of the apron.

On the inside of each end apron there are two ³A" x 2 Vs" x VV'-deep dados that capture

Leg support. To cut the mortises into the legs, you need to add support under the top block so the knee is off the table. Adda small wedge below the knee to stabilize the piece.

Plough out the groove. A plunge router and straight bit make quick work of cutting the candle-slide opening. Of course, an attached fence is a must-have.

the candle-slide supports. The supports are held down from the top edge of the aprons ³/8" to accommodate the recessed top and are press-fit into the candle-slide openings. Astraight fence and ³A" pattern bit work great to make the dados. Again, square the comers with your chisel.

Sand the aprons through #150 grit then fit one apron to a mating leg. Hold the apron flush with the top edge ofthe leg, then draw a pattern on the lower apron edge so the rounded profile ofthe knee bracket area continues onto

Right with the pattern. Routing the dado for the candle-slide supports is a snap. Use a pattern bit with a straight fence that you set right on the layout line.