If ya want to build a table

TNHermit · #21 07/13/06, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindyc

I need a table big enough for a large family. I have 5 kids. I have a skil saw, a scroll saw, a chain saw, and a hand saw!

I have various hand tools, naturally. I don't have any other supplies, wood, or experience. I do have a very large tree that we just cut down because it was struck by lightening.

This will be a table for our covered deck. I don't care what it looks like, if it is rectange, or square (but not round)... I just want it to be BIG ENOUGH for my whole family without costing me 1000 bucks!

My husband and I will be doing this together, which is a good thing because I am a "bloomin' idiot" where wood working is concerned.

Hoping you can help because we have been looking for one we could afford to buy for over a year!

Cindyc.

You need to find some one to saw up your tree into lumber so it can dry. I don't know how big the tree is. But you will need to get 4-40 inch 4x4s. the rest can be sawed into 5/4 (five quarter) or 4/4 (four quarter lumber). if its big enough I would do 5/4
s

Dave

6e · #22 07/13/06, 12:19 PM

Cool, I love this thread!
OK, here's what I'm wanting to build.....
A big farm type table big enough to seat 4 kids and two adults with plenty of room for food in the middle. I can buy the legs. I really like farm style tables. I have almost no woodworking experience except for helping to build our house. I can use a drill, a skill saw, table saw and such. I can't really do anything fancy. I'd like to make it out of pine, I guess.
Can you help me???

longshadowfarms · #23 07/13/06, 12:32 PM

Sounds like fun! DH isn't here right now but I'll sort of volunteer him since he's already said he wants to build a table. Problem is he's DRIVEN to finish a room we started more than 5 yrs ago so that needs to be finished first. Not sure yet exactly what we want other than big enought to seat at least 10, preferably more. Interested in tile or tongue and groove flooring for the top but might also be interested in making his own top if he had some tips on making it stick together. A friend recently made a GORGEOUS 10' long table for his house but the top is starting to separate. Not very encouraging! Anyway, DH's uncle worked a deal to get a whole barn full of dried lumber. Not sure yet what is in there that we will get for helping move it. Our own supply of dried boards is really getting thin with the work we've done in recent years. DH has a lot of tools including table saw, planer, jointer, band saw... Not sure what else might be important. He does not have a drill press but I'm sure he knows someone who he could visit and use theirs. He's done that before with a shaper I believe. We have a huge lathe but I'm not sure of the status on that. It needed some re-wiring a number of years ago but I almost think he has used it. I suspect he'd rather buy than turn legs if it came to it but I think he was leaning toward a trestle design without turned legs. Guess I'd better get some details from him before we go too far.

TNHermit · #24 07/13/06, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6e

Cool, I love this thread!
OK, here's what I'm wanting to build.....
A big farm type table big enough to seat 4 kids and two adults with plenty of room for food in the middle. I can buy the legs. I really like farm style tables. I have almost no woodworking experience except for helping to build our house. I can use a drill, a skill saw, table saw and such. I can't really do anything fancy. I'd like to make it out of pine, I guess.
Can you help me???

Yes Ma'am

GoatsRus · #25 07/13/06, 01:58 PM

I don't need a table per se, but I sure could use some end tables or nightstands. I have a table miter saw and a hand router, plus the other usual tools. I'm really interested in how you make a table that isn't wobbly!! This an any other good tips would be absolutely wonderful. Maybe the tips could be a sticky

TNHermit · #26 07/13/06, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoatsRus

I don't need a table per se, but I sure could use some end tables or nightstands. I have a table miter saw and a hand router, plus the other usual tools. I'm really interested in how you make a table that isn't wobbly!! This an any other good tips would be absolutely wonderful. Maybe the tips could be a sticky

End tables, night stands can use the same construction. just the dimensions are different . should be a snap for you after one.

ninny · #27 07/13/06, 03:54 PM

Hermit, you ever build a coffin??? I'm serious. Watched a show on T.V. called Texas Country Reporter. Show featured a fellow in Houston that makes coffins for people. He will put designs, names or just about anything else someone may want on them. Gets pretty darn good money for them too. Someone on the show actually had him make them one and used it for a coffee table. I'm sure it was quiet a conversation piece and it could be pretty handy too. Just curious.

Farmer Willy · #28 07/13/06, 04:07 PM

I always do better with pictures or drawings so I'd like to see some of those---different types of joints, tool jigs and setups, finishes, and hardware. Mercy, this could qualify as an entire thread of its own, not just tables but furniture building in general---cabinets, shelves, cases, chairs, tables, ect. OK, you've definately piqued my interest.

#29 07/13/06, 04:30 PM

TH, do you think Bush or Cheney ever built a table? No way. They probably get theirs free from Halliburton.....Oops, I thought we were on GC.

Seriously, a neat idea. I will watch the thread with interest.

cindyc · #30 07/13/06, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNHermit

You need to find some one to saw up your tree into lumber so it can dry. I don't know how big the tree is. But you will need to get 4-40 inch 4x4s. the rest can be sawed into 5/4 (five quarter) or 4/4 (four quarter lumber). if its big enough I would do 5/4
s

Dave

How do I go about finding someone to do that? How much would that cost? The tree is pretty big. I think even the branches that came down could be useful for something. Nobody here uses wood heat, so it is just being sawed up into peices VERRRRYYYYY SLOWLY. There are a few smaller Ironwoods that we felled too. (bad storm) I T-H-I-N-K that this one is also ironwood, but I am not really sure?

Thank's Dave!

TNHermit · #31 07/13/06, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

Hermit, you ever build a coffin??? I'm serious. Watched a show on T.V. called Texas Country Reporter. Show featured a fellow in Houston that makes coffins for people. He will put designs, names or just about anything else someone may want on them. Gets pretty darn good money for them too. Someone on the show actually had him make them one and used it for a coffee table. I'm sure it was quiet a conversation piece and it could be pretty handy too. Just curious.

I have a set of plans for a coffin/bookshelves. You use them for book shelves till you take a dirt nap. then yank the books out and dump you in.

TNHermit · #32 07/13/06, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cindyc

How do I go about finding someone to do that? How much would that cost? The tree is pretty big. I think even the branches that came down could be useful for something. Nobody here uses wood heat, so it is just being sawed up into peices VERRRRYYYYY SLOWLY. There are a few smaller Ironwoods that we felled too. (bad storm) I T-H-I-N-K that this one is also ironwood, but I am not really sure?

Thank's Dave!

Where are you at? Look in your phone book or ask around about a saw mill. There are guys around that will come to your place and saw the log up. its best if you have more than one. Since I don't know how big the tree really is I can't tell you how much. generally its around 150-200 a thousand board feet. Since you have only one log you may have to take it to them.

TNHermit · #33 07/13/06, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmer Willy

I always do better with pictures or drawings so I'd like to see some of those---different types of joints, tool jigs and setups, finishes, and hardware. Mercy, this could qualify as an entire thread of its own, not just tables but furniture building in general---cabinets, shelves, cases, chairs, tables, ect. OK, you've definately piqued my interest.

Yea Maybe we can get a teaching forum LOL
I'm going to give you what I can but google is going to have to become peoples friend

I want to take pictures of things and post them as we go but there is a ton of stuff on the net.

DWIGHT DUNCAN · #34 07/13/06, 06:14 PM

Count me in. I once build a pair of shelves to hold my stereo equip while in college. They both needed to lean against two walls in a corner to keep from collapsing. I haven't improved much since then.

I have a small table saw, hand drill, mitre saw, circular saw, belt sander and power screwdrivers.

So lets build something!

TNHermit · #35 07/14/06, 11:44 AM

First Lesson

We seem to have enough interest to get started So I have to get organised. While I'm doing that there are things you can be doing.

First of all it has to said. safety is important. we don't want anybody sacrificing body parts to the wood gnomes. in other words.. No stupid human tricks. Never be afraid to ask questions about tool,procedures, terminology or anything else. There are jigs and tips that you can make so using you tools is more comfortable and easier.
Get your tools around and make sure the blades are sharp. Dull tools are the most dangerous.

Where are you going to work. You may not be sure of your time frame and how long it will take you to build this. So you need a place you can store things and work comfortably. The joinery we will be using will allow you for a time to put the table together and take it apart

Some of you know what you want. Others just want something If your not sure of the size you want take some masking tape and tape off on the floor the size that you think will work for you . Remember you have to have room for chairs and to be able to walk around the table. Also each person that sets at the table needs about 2 ft to feel comfortable. once you've done that you can measure the size of your table. If you want coffee tables,end tables or something like that yo also need to decide how high you want them.
Next you need to decide what style of table you want. You can google table and look at what you think you might like. For those of you that don't have a lot of tools or are not comfortable with them and want a fancier table you can get legs from here. (http://www.adamswoodproducts.com/) Your local Borg usually have some too Also there are simple things you can do to doll it up.

What kind of wood do you want to make your table out of. Do you want to paint,stain,tile or natural finish.

Goggle needs to be your friend. Look up and study the following things

Mortise and Tenon
Pocket screw joinery
Biscuit joinery
Table aprons

Goggle will have lots of pages on these things. Flip through them and see which seem to be the easiest to understand Print what is helpful out and make a notebook or file you can refer to. Don't worry about completely understanding EVERYTHING at first. Just get familiar with things

Bookmark this message as I may edit it the next day or two.
Remember NEVER be afraid to ask question. This may be your first time and its definetly my first time at teaching through a thread But we'll make it. Be best if you PM me if you want me to answer so we don't clog up the topic or you can ask in a thread if you want a variety of answers

So Happy Woodworking
BE Safe
__________________

Paula · #36 07/14/06, 12:41 PM

I'd like to build a table and countertops out of flat creek rock.

TNHermit · #37 07/14/06, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula

I'd like to build a table and countertops out of flat creek rock.

Well Darlin I hope there is a Mason on here. I wouldn't have a clue. sound's like it would be substantial.

Paula · #38 07/14/06, 02:28 PM

No, no Darlin

- regular table, regular cabinets - just topped with flat creek rock.

TNHermit · #39 07/14/06, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula

No, no Darlin

- regular table, regular cabinets - just topped with flat creek rock.

Well dear, How thick is this rock?. I'm not familiar with it. If it is relatively thin I don't know why not. How flat is it? Fill me in here

Paula · #40 07/14/06, 03:48 PM

Maybe 1/2 inch. I'll take some pictures of next week when we go to the farm. We have a lot of layered sandstone type (but harder than pure sandstone) rock here. Got over a mile of creek on our place, so lots of rock. I already have ideas about patios, borders for flower gardens and a fire pit (I know, can't use creek rock for that.)