Made Specifically for the Upstairs Hallway
So, the class I'm in is winding up and I have a couple days off work so I wanted to get in the workshop and do something.
One thing I've been wanting to do is make an accent table for the end of the upstairs hallway. Here's where we left of in October:
There Was Always Something Missing
It's really difficult to get a good picture up there, but you get the idea. The problem with that spot is that there are two doorways at the end of the hallway so whatever piece was to go there certainly could't be particularly big, otherwise you'r have to squeeze by whenever you went into a room. I don't like that idea, so I had to come up with a solution. I decided to make the table top in a half-round shape. Lowes sells some round boards for making end-tables and the like, but they were too thick, which would throw things out of scale at the cramped end of the hallway. So I figured I'd have to do something I've never done - cut my own circles. I started with one of these boards from Lowes:
Geometry Has Always Been a Struggle
From there, I watched a bunch of videos on how to calculate circle dimensions, arcs, etc. To be honest, it got way too complicated for me - quickly! So I searched around for something to use as a template. Trash can lids were too big, 5 gallon buckets were too small, then I found the perfect thing:
That's right kids - the laundry basket! Laugh if you will but it worked! Of course it took a little trial-and-error:
Then I used the old saber saw to cut them out:
Then I clamped the all together and sanded them to the pencil line so they were all the same size...
After that I cut out the notches for the rear legs.
I laid out the legs for a little design idea. I didn't want just straight boards,
Always an Alternative
But I don't have the tools to get too creative...so I decided to go with various size holes cut on the drill press using my Forstner bits:
He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. - St. Francis of Assissi
Then it was time to fix some knot holes and do some sanding...
Sometime the Old-School Stuff Just Works
This is by no means an ad, but I've used this Elmer's product a couple times and it works great! Just thought I'd throw that out there in case anyone was considering it. Then I thought I needed some piece of hardware to support the front of the table with the dowel. Oh, I haven't really told you about the design yet, but read on - it'll all make sense soon! I found some brass flanges at Lowes and thought I'd put a hole in the side to use a set screw:
The cool thing was, this was my first real opportunity to use one of the drill press vises I made back in January:
Bringing it All Together
Again, this will all make sense in a few minutes. Then is was back to the drill press to pre-drill holes in the back of the rear legs. Mostly I did this on the drill press so the holes would be straight, making it easier to assemble the pieces.
Then came assembly. Not too difficult, but to make sure everything was properly aligned, level and plumb took some time and extensive use of my invaluable Workmates.
Subtle in Design
This is where those flanges came into play. The design of the table was that, instead of two legs in the front, there would be just one dowel running down through each shelf, supporting each with these flanges. Here you can see the set screws I used...
From the outside you can't see the screws, just brass flanges:
And here's the table - unfinished:
I have it taped for painting, but here's a shot of the table in what will soon be its new home:
Now, sanding, priming, painting!