Replies

1. 
   bobtexas | Feb 08, 2006 08:52pm | #1

   I built this table last Fall.  It turned out great.  See photo.

   I had the same problem.  I wasn't about to buy a lathe.  Eventhough, I am fair woodworker, I just can't justify a lathe for the small stuff that needs to be turned.

   Here's what I did.

   1.  Make the blanks per the plans.

   2. Trim the corners off so that you have octagons.

   3.  Call the high school shop teacher.  If he accepts, then give him a photo copy of the drawing that Norm provided.  If he does not accept, ask him who can turn it?  I eneded up at a one man shop and for $75 he turned 'em both and gave me a lesson on how to turn my own stuff.

   You'll be challenged to put in the sliding dovetails.  Norm's drawing does not come with details on the 3 or 4 jigs that you'll have to build to machine the wood.  Be creative and careful.

   Good luck and e-mail me if you get in a bind.

   Bob

   
1. 
   clouts69 | Feb 11, 2006 10:33pm | #2

   Bob,

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Thanks for the great tips! Also, thanks for the heads up regarding the sliding dovetails. Just out of curiosity, did you opt for the mahogany that is provided by his source? I believe he stated he had a source that would send you stickered mahogany. I have a source for my wood but I wanted to know what you thought of it if you did get it through his source and if it was a value. Thanks.

   <!----> <!---->

   Nice table by the way. Great work!

1. 
   bobtexas | Feb 13, 2006 05:37pm | #3

   Clouts69,

   I got all my lumber from a specialty hardwood dealer in Houston.  I figured the BF and bought some slightly different sizes.  All in cherry.  All rough sawn.  All the boards were hand selected by me in their warehouse.

   If you go with Norm's suggestions on purchasing wood then you might be paying a whole lot more.

   I should have bought the video but opted to figure it out on my own.  I did however SEE the show ONCE and remembered a few tips Norm had covered.  I didn't have the show on tape so I really had to think.  This table will test nearly ALL of your woodworking skills.  Getting the rails straight to a 1/32nd was really a challenge.  Otherwise the won't slide.  I used furniture wax to make the pieces slide.

   The tool that saved me was my planer.  Perfect uniform thickness top.

   Good luch and God Bless,

   Bob

1. 
   clouts69 | Mar 19, 2006 07:44pm | #5

   Bob,

   How are you? I received the plans to the table a couple of days agao and I am ready to purchase the hardware. Did you happen to use his source of White chapel? How is the hardware or did you use another source? Also, since you used cherry were you able to find any 20" wide boards. If not, did that cause a problem for you when making the leaf? Thanks.

1. 
   bobtexas | Mar 20, 2006 05:04pm | #6

   Hey Clouts,

   I did buy the recommended hardware.  Nice stuff and pricey but first class.

   I bought 5/4 for the table top in 6 and 8 inch widths.  I only have a 6 inch jointer.  You won't find 20" width for anything reasonable cost wise.  I bisquet joined them and it worked out nice.  I got a big table edge router bit and that turned out good.

   I built an extension to my tablesaw cross cut sled so that all my table top board were exactly the same length.

   My table was 42" wide.  It's more intimate.

   I recommend hand choosing every stick.

   Good luck and get to work.

2. 
   bushman1000 | Feb 15, 2006 09:45am | #4

   I get turned pedastals from Woodturners Inc., which has a site on the internet.  Pedastals are available in a variety of styles and woods.