Replies

1. 
   daverichards | Jun 08, 2012 08:33am | #1

   A plan for something like  that should be reasonably straightforward. What sort of tools do you have?

2. 
   jeremed | Jun 08, 2012 09:49am | #2

   well times were tight and I had to get rid of my table tools.  So I am really bare bones for tools.  I am down to hand tools.  So I am not looking to do any but the most basic joinery.

1. 
   daverichards | Jun 08, 2012 11:02am | #3

   So it sounds like you'd probably want/need to use pre-dimensioned lumber. Were you able to hang on to at least a router?

   Here's the basics. Mostly 1 x 4 and a bit of 1/2 in. plywood. for the panels. 

   
2. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 08, 2012 11:52am | #4

   hand tools only

   A list of the tools you still have would be helpful, since fairly sophisticated joinery can be done with hand tools. It all depends on which hand tools you have.

3. 
   jeremed | Jun 09, 2012 11:29am | #5

   tool list

   I have a circular and jig saw, orbital sander, router.  Then I have an assortment of hand saws, some chisels and other odds and ends such as squares and the like.  Bare bones I know.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 10, 2012 10:25am | #6

   Quoting Dirty Harry

   "A man has to know his limitations."

   In your case, you may be less limited than you think. Good M&T joints between the panels and the legs should be possible with what you have, for example. You could cut the shoulders of the panel tenons with either your circular saw (guide block clamped to the panel), set to the proper depth, or with a hand saw. Rough cut the faces of the tenons with a hand saw, and finish by paring with a chisel. Cut the mortices with your router (you'll probably need to make a jig), square the ends with a chisel. Trim the tenons to fit.

   With solid-wood panels, you'd need to allow for expansion/contraction. Draw-pins through the legs and the tenons would be one approach, with the mortices a bit wider than the tenons, so the tenons have room to expand and move with the dimensional changes in the panel. Or, you could do a frame-and-panel design, using plywood for the panels, and cutting the grooves with your router. (Here, again, a jig would make this easy and safe.)

2. 
   daverichards | Jun 11, 2012 10:49am | #7

   As Ralph said, you aren't in a bad place to do a proper jb on this.

   I assume my drawings missed the mark? You should be able to work out something fairly easily though.

4. 
   jeremed | Jun 12, 2012 09:22am | #8

   much appreciated

   The drawings and advice are greatly appreciated.  I will get some materials together and give it a try.  I will let you know how it comes out.

   thank you gentlemen.