Woodworker's Journal 1983-7-3, страница 29

Oak Pedestal Table by Glen Firmender

Massive is probably the best word one can use to describe this oval top table. With 3'/j in. thick feet, a 6 in. diameter pedestal, and a solid 1 ^}A in. thick top, it can surely be expected to last at least a few generations. The entire table is made from 2 in. nominal thickness (IV* in. actual) oak stock, an appropriate wood for a piece like this. The good-sized oval top provides room to seat four comfortably.

When dimensioning the members in the rough I usually leave 1 in. in length and V* to V» in. in width over finished size. The rough dimensions are used for total board footage and rough cut out. In the case of the tabie 1 begin by laying out the top (part F), 1 try to match the grain to the best possible configuration, keeping in mind that since the top is oval the boards may be reduced in length as they move out from the center.

Another thing to remember is the direction of the annular rings because they determine the direction the board will cup. When you flip the rings so that every other board is the

same the top will remain relatively flat (see Fig. 1, page 30). When you run all the annular rings the same they cup in the opposite direction of the rings (see Fig. 2). Also, bear in mind that the shape of the top and all other members may be altered to suit a specific taste, whether it be contemporary or Early American, as long as proportions are not changed.

Once the stock for the top is layed out and cut to rough length, the members of the pedestal (part A) and the feet (parts B and C) are also layed out. In both cases, the thickness is achieved by laminating stock face-to-face. This is a good place to bury the less desirable stock, A nice detail can be achieved when an even number of pieces are used for the lamination. The last parts to be sized are the cleats (parts D andE).

After all stock has been rough cut, it can be surface planed, jointed and ripped parallel. The next step is to glue

{continued on next page)