Gatekeeper table

I shall take that as a compliment shiney, many many thanks.
No pictures of worth to post today, only managed to get a bit of sanding done on the top with the orbital.

 

Well, Robert, nobody can say that you don't know anything about working with wood. I'm truly in awe at your skills and in showing us what you done so far. :ntwrth: Did I ever tell you about the orange box I made...:hehe:

 

Time spent on the table today...
I have to produce a "rule joint" where the drop leaf joins the table top.
I have never done one of them before and a trial run was required before I attempt it on the real top and leaf.
It was tricky to set the router bits correct to get the spacing required.
First picture is the trail top and leaf in the up position

This second picture shows the joint with the leaf fully dropped.
You will notice there is no gap and it looks better then a normal butt joint


This last picture shows the the hinges which are offset and far from normal have to be set spot on or the joint will rub.

I have also trimmed the top and leaf boards to size so now all I have to do is make the rule joint on them and route a ogee all round.

 

That joint looks pretty darned impressive Capney - especially given you've never done one before. You're right, it does look an awful lot nicer than a regular butt joing. Can't wait to see the finished project!

 

Another few hours in the workshop today.
I was concerned about cutting the "rule joint" and getting it right as I have no more timber left to cover for any mistakes I make.
So..I produced a cunning plan on paper....

After several hours and carefully cutting away, checking and double checking I was working on the correct edge with the correct tool it all seems to have turned out ok...phew..
I have routed all edges on the top and the leaf and made the rule joint.






I`m glad that bit of the project is completed.
I now have to carefully line up and install the hinges, make up some top securing blocks and then its will be time to start the finishing.
Plan is for us to eat christmas dinner off this table.
Nothing like a deadline to keep things moving.
More later and thanks for the continued interest.

 

I have been watching Caps your project with great interest and am very impressed.....Well done.......No CNC machine for you then lol.

 

No. Not enough room in my garage !

 

:cl-p:Excellent work Cap's:gnthb::gnthb:

Don't do commission works perchance?:wink:

 

I see where you are coming from Nick, But no I dont.
I need to preserve my retirememt, but having said that I was asked and offered £300 ish to make another table. But when I said I could not do it until next summer the interest sort of waned.
Truth is I just dont want to it!

 

love it capney a job well done :gnthb:

 

Update today for those that are following the construction of my gatekeeper table.
It was time for me to join the top and leaf with the drop leaf hinges attached to the rule joint.
I took my time with this part of the project as a mistake here would be the end of it all.
I decided to fit three hinges and this required some very careful measuring and cutting of the slots to take the offset hinge pivot.
I am using oldde worldy hinges as when I priced some brass drop hinges they came back at £17 a pair!
This first picture shows my cutting markings.



These next two pictures shows me trying my best to get a nice accurate chisel cut.





After all the slots have been cut I installed all three hinges with just one screw in each This will allow me to make any adjustments later if things dont line up very well.


Accurate drilling for the screws is essential at this stage. If any errors creep in these will be magnified on the final fitting.


These last three picture show the final assembly of the table top and the leaf. Glad to say I ended up with just one minor rubbing which I can soon remove with a bit of sanding




Next part will be to secure the top to the table frame, and then to start the finishing process.
thanks for tuning in. More progress reports soon.

 

Looking Good Caps, well better than good, Brilliant is the word.. Still a couple of months to Xmas so plenty of time to finish your table... Errr When you starting the Chairs

 

Good day today on the table.
Construction is now complete and all ready for the finishing process
First job was to chisel out some slots in the frame to allow the hinges to fit correctly with the top secured.


After making up some blocks it was time to secure the top to the frame.


After all that fixing the build is about complete. Just a stop to add on the underside of the drop leaf and job done.


Back of table


Leaf up


Leaf down


Now looking forward to hours spent on the finish including sealing and staining and the final wax polish.

 

Today it is time to do some staining.
I have spent the last few days sanding and de nibbing.
I was lucky...
the stain I use is very volatile and smells a lot.
I did the job in the consevatory and then took the pieces outside to dry off.
I just managed to get them back inside as it started to rain!


Pieces outside to reduce fumes in the house. I supose I should have really done it in the garage but being a windy day and the garage still full of sawdust that could blow about and ruin the job.
Next is rubbing down with 0000 wirewool and then two coats of sanding sealer with another rub down and then the final wax polishing