Any bored carpenters around?

[kronik]

So, I want this table. The problem is, I do not want to spend the money (a lot) on something I feel I can build myself with the proper preparation and perhaps a few trials. That being said, I have no idea how to actually come up with plans/proportions to do so on my own. I can provide more detailed pictures if necessary; I thought that I might ask as there's a wealth of knowledge here and someone may find it in their hearts to help a brother out. Here's the table:

I guess I'd be looking for a CAD/mockups of each piece (width, length, etc.) I'd also like the table to be counter height, which they do not make to accommodate for my big ass dogs.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by kronik

So, I want this table. The problem is, I do not want to spend the money (a lot) on something I feel I can build myself with the proper preparation and perhaps a few trials. That being said, I have no idea how to actually come up with plans/proportions to do so on my own. I can provide more detailed pictures if necessary; I thought that I might ask as there's a wealth of knowledge here and someone may find it in their hearts to help a brother out. Here's the table:

I guess I'd be looking for a CAD/mockups of each piece (width, length, etc.) I'd also like the table to be counter height, which they do not make to accommodate for my big ass dogs.
You need CAD work for that? All the pieces are....square. Post the pics you got. Definitely need an end view, and perhaps some details of the joinery between the leg subframe and the top.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

You need CAD work for that? All the pieces are....square. Post the pics you got. Definitely need an end view, and perhaps some details of the joinery between the leg subframe and the top.

Yeah, I was thinking that pic alone is nearly enough to build it - structurally speaking. Finish, veneer treatments, what-not, and that lower stretcher might need another view. But, I've built things based on a cocktail napkin sketch.

 

[sonick]

Here's detailed shots

 

[kronik]

Thanks sonick.

The main concern comes in regarding the table being structurally sound while maintaining the same appearance at counter height, which it was obviously not designed for. Throwing a few pieces of wood together (for the first time, ever, I might add) probably in and of itself is not terribly difficult.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by kronik

Thanks sonick.

The main concern comes in regarding the table being structurally sound while maintaining the same appearance at counter height, which it was obviously not designed for. Throwing a few pieces of wood together (for the first time, ever, I might add) probably in and of itself is not terribly difficult.
I'll shoot you some stuff after the weekend. The height/structural issue is a non-issue. The finger joints will be challenging if you're new to this -- a stacked type dado blade on a table saw would be the easiest way How big is it overall?

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by kronik

Thanks sonick.

(...)

The main concern comes in regarding the table being structurally sound while maintaining the same appearance at counter height, which it was obviously not designed for. Throwing a few pieces of wood together (for the first time, ever, I might add) probably in and of itself is not terribly difficult.

Kronik, your comic talents are sorely underrated.

I used up my inventory of swear words on my first project, and made up new ones on each subsequent one.

Originally Posted by Huntsman

I'll shoot you some stuff after the weekend. The height/structural issue is a non-issue. The finger joints will be challenging if you're new to this -- a stacked type dado blade on a table saw would be the easiest way How big is it overall?

Stacked dado is one option, bandsaw is another, but a router and dovetail jig generally makes the cleanest cuts. Clean cuts matter in a big way (IMHO) for this because 1) those joints are exposed - showpieces, in fact, and 2) those fingers are the only means of providing rigidity for the table legs. Any sloppiness in cutting that joint and you'll likely have a wobbly leg which only gets worse as you lengthen it to counter height.

I love the design, though, and once you get past the finger joints, the rest looks pretty straightforward.

 

[johnapril]

Cutting and connecting are only the first couple of hurdles. Finishing a tabletop correctly is going to challenge you as well.

 

[edmorel]

Kronik, there is no way in hell that you will be able to build a table that looks close to that on a first try. Woodworking is very hard, and the finishing on items like that is not something a first timer is going to get. Just buy it or buy a knockoff.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by johnapril

Cutting and connecting are only the first couple of hurdles. Finishing a tabletop correctly is going to challenge you as well.

IF he survives the glue-up. But I didn't want to go there.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Kronik, there is no way in hell that you will be able to build a table that looks close to that on a first try. Woodworking is very hard, and the finishing on items like that is not something a first timer is going to get. Just buy it or buy a knockoff.

If he builds models, or fixes watches, I'd say he's got a decent shot.

 

[kronik]

Well, fortunately, I will be working with someone who does woodworking all the time. I won't say that he's fantastic at it but he's built a few pieces of furniture. He's the one that has all of the tools and such. The first attempt will be with some scrap. We'll see how it turns out. (I was kidding about it being easy, Thomas.

) I'd actually consider a knockoff but I've never seen one.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by kronik

Well, fortunately, I will be working with someone who does woodworking all the time. I won't say that he's fantastic at it but he's built a few pieces of furniture. He's the one that has all of the tools and such. The first attempt will be with some scrap. We'll see how it turns out.

(I was kidding about it being easy, Thomas.

)

I'd actually consider a knockoff but I've never seen one.

You won't see many knockoffs of that table. The money is in the labor, not the wood. Not to say the wood is inexpensive, but for that kind of precision in the finger joints, that's a ton of planing, scraping, and sanding. I'd be tempted to build one down the road, but I've got tables in storage right now and another one would earn me a beat-down.

I thought you were kidding, but I watched Norm F'n Abrams build a table in 30 minutes on TV one time and he made it look so damn easy. Little did I know - I still spit when I see his goofy gap-toothed smile.