So on to the next project, a pair of Craftsman end tables. They are going to be made out of quartersawn white oak, and measure 18” wide x 24” deep x 23-1/2” high, with a drawer in the front and a lower shelf which can hold a basket to pull out.
First step is to mill the wood for the side pieces to size in order to prep for joinery. This consists of:
- 8 table legs
- 4 top stretchers (the horizontal pieces)
- 4 bottom stretchers
- 12 spindles (3 for each side)
When milling, what you are trying to do is get the pieces straight, square on all sides, and to the proper length, width and thickness.
First step is to use a jointer to get two sides flat and the corner a square 90 degrees
Then you plane the pieces down to the right thickness
Finally, you use the table saw to “rip” the wood to final width, and “crosscut” it to final length
Now I’ve got the pieces to build the four sides, needed to make the two tables.
On to the joinery!