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  • Circular Kitchen Table -- Final Assembly and Finishing Touches
  • From "Wood Works"
    episode WWK-211
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    This contemporary table, with simple design and solid construction, is ideal for serving family meals.

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    The black walnut and hand-rubbed finish provide a warm, inviting quality for this informal dining table.

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

    With the walnut tabletop and support pedestal complete, the final phase in the construction of the kitchen table includes fastening the tabletop to the top cross-supports and application of a hand-rubbed wood finish.

    Materials:

    walnut tabletop and support assembly
    metal figure-8 fasteners
    hand drill; Forstner bit
    tung oil
    paintbrushes
    clean rags
    protective rubber gloves

    Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses when working with wood, saws, drills, routers, etc.

    Safety Alert: Always wear protective gloves when working with wood stains and solvents.

    Steps:

    • The tabletop is fastened from underneath to the top cross-supports using figure-8 metal fasteners (figure A). These fasteners are used to allow for inevitable wood movement. Since wood is a fibrous material, it absorbs moisture. Depending on humidity, wood can actually expand and contract along its width by as much as 1/8-inch per foot. (The movement along the length of wood is negligible.) The fasteners are designed to pivot and allow for the movement of wood elements due to this expansion and contraction.

    • Use a hand-drill and Forstner bit to make holes for counter-sinking the fasteners in the cross-supports (figure B).

    • Attach the figure-8 fasteners with screws.

    • With the fasteners all installed, turn the tabletop upside-down and position the pedestal on the tabletop. Attach the supports using the figure-8 fasteners and screws to the underside of the table (figure C).

    • With the table all assembled, a wood finish can be applied. For this demonstration, a tung-oil finish was selected (figure D). Polyurethane finishes and lacquers are frequently used for tabletops, but those finishes can scratch. With a hand-rubbed oil finish, scratches can easily be touched up. An oil finish is also superior for bringing out the depth, clarity and beauty of the wood.

    Sponsored Resource

    You can order the tools and materials for this project from Woodcraft!


    RESOURCES :

    Fine Woodworking
    A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
    The Taunton Press Inc.
    Website: www.taunton.com


    Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
    Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
    Publisher: Taunton Press
    ISBN: 1561583456

    David Marks Website
    David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

    Popular Woodworking
    F & W Publications, Inc.
    Website: www.popularwoodworking.com

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