Competition entry WIP - making the most of what you have

[Paul Chapman]

I've done a bit more on the table today. Jointed two of the pieces for the top with my Clifton #7 and #6. Picture shows testing the pieces for a nice fit

I then cut slots for two rows of biscuits with my Elu DS 140

This shows the two rows of biscuits inserted

And finally the two pieces glued and cramped up (otherwise known as fingers crossed time )

More pics to follow.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[engineer one]

good luck paul, thought you only used hand tools so where's your hand biscuit jointer :twisted: :lol:

only 3 pics came down, not the jointing one

looks good

paul :wink:

 

[DomValente]

Nice planes Paul, er, that was the point wasn't it

Dom

 

[engineer one]

nah dom he ain't that subtle is he :twisted: :lol:


paul :wink:

 

[Paul Chapman]

Nice planes Paul, er, that was the point wasn't it

Well, as they say, if you've got it, flaunt it Must try to get the #3 and #4.5 in some time

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

thought you only used hand tools so where's your hand biscuit jointer :twisted: :lol:

I'm giving the Stanley #55 a rest :lol:

If you don't get all the pictures, try the refresh button.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

With my recent dental problems, I've lost about one and a half weeks workshop time (difficult to concentrate when you have toothache ) so I've been busy playing catch-up

I've finished jointing and gluing up the boards for the circular table top

I jointed and glued on each board individually. This took time but with something this large and heavy, attempting to glue it up all at once is a recipe for disaster.

Normally I like to joint boards in pairs but these were too thick so had to be planed individually. They then each received a double row of biscuits - you can see from the pencil marks where I put them. One dodge I've found useful when cutting biscuit slots in very hard wood is to plunge the cutter in small steps. That way I find that you don't get any kick-back and the slots can be cut very precisely. I was very pleased with the way they all went together. Nice, tight joints and the whole top is very flat so will require a minimum of cleaning up.

I use cramp heads on wooden bars and to counteract any tendency for the sash cramps to flex, I use shaped cramping blocks. You can see the two I used on the right of the picture below

These shaped blocks have the effect of directing the pressure from the sash cramps through the centre of the edge of the board. I pinched that idea from David Charlesworth, and it really works - thanks David

This afternoon I'll be making an adjustable trammel to cut the top with my router so I'll post some pictures of that when I've done it.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

PS Some of my earlier pictures have disappeared with FreeShare closing down Will re-post them when I have a minute to spare.

 

[ByronBlack]

That looks a real 'mare of a glue-up! Good to see it coming together, I admire you patience in hand planing all the boards!

 

[Paul Chapman]

I've now re-posted the images which went missing when FreeShare closed down.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

I've finished making up the adjustable trammel to cut the circular table top. Here are the components

The idea behind it is that as the top will require a lot of passes with the router to cut through, I want a very firm fixing for the trammel pivot point - I can't afford to risk it slipping. I therefore plan to drill a 1/4" diameter hole in the underside of the table top (this can be plugged afterwards) and use the shank of a 1/4" drill bit as the pivot. The drill bit will fit in the hardwood block and the block, which has slots to allow adjustment, will be fitted to the trammel base with screws and wing nuts.

Here's a picture of it all assembled

I don't have a Woodrat but a few years ago I bought a Woodrat plunge bar. For this type of work the plunge bar enables you to plunge the router one-handed.

I'll let you know if it all works

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[DomValente]

This is the exciting bit :twisted:

Dom

 

[Paul Chapman]

This is the exciting bit :twisted:

Are you trying to get me more worried than I already am

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[DomValente]

Moi ?

 

[engineer one]

paul how can you be worried by a man who thinks a hammer needs a laser
to control it :twisted:

nice trammel, interested to understand why you see the need for such a thick pivot, having used a standard trend bar with the pin, i agree it needs beefing up, but that much :?

good luck, have you got the swear box nearby and enough money for it :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[Paul Chapman]

nice trammel, interested to understand why you see the need for such a thick pivot, having used a standard trend bar with the pin, i agree it needs beefing up, but that much :?

The normal pin arrangement isn't very secure and requires that you concentrate on the pin and the cutting. With a more secure pivot arrangement I should be able to forget about the pivot and concentrate on the cutting - at least that's the theory........

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[DomValente]

Used a similar system once and started drilling the hole to hold the pivot and forgot to stop drilling

Dom

 

[Paul Chapman]

Now you really are trying to get me worried........ :lol:

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Lord Nibbo]

The normal pin arrangement isn't very secure and requires that you concentrate on the pin and the cutting. With a more secure pivot arrangement I should be able to forget about the pivot and concentrate on the cutting - at least that's the theory........

Cheers :wink:

Paul

With a jig set up like that it got to work \/

 

[engineer one]

are you sure you want to make a living doing special works dom :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[Alf]

Ah, trammel cutting with a router; almost as much fun as glue-ups. Should be fine though - as long as the collet doesn't give up the ghost on you half way round and launch the cutter into the work, as I had last time I tried using one...

Not being helpful in any way, Alf :wink: