Mission style coffee table - WIP

[slemishwoodcrafts]

Hi,

This is my first WIP thread so here goes! I am building a coffee table in the mission style from some mahogany offcuts i got when i upgraded my tablesaw. I planed all the wood down last night and glued up the panels for the top remembering to alternate the growth rings. heres a few pics of progress so far.

panel glued up

legs cut to length

end rails cut to length

i am getting ready to cut the mortises now and will post more pics later tonight

regards,

michael

p.s. if anyone wants to offer any advice or opinions on the piece whilst im working on it please feel free to do so

 

[joiner_sim]

Hi,
This looks like something I did as my first piece of furniture. I have got the pics and work-in-progress if you want to see on my website.
Looking good so far.
Simon.

 

[Waka]

Looking good. Did you use biscuits/dowels on the joints or is it just glued long grain?

 

[slemishwoodcrafts]

Looking good. Did you use biscuits/dowels on the joints or is it just glued long grain?

I used biscuits and glue for the joints. Does anyone else still use the router for cutting out biscuits or is it all done with a biscuit jointer?

end rails ready to be mortised

mortises being cut

completed mortises

end slats ready to be tenoned. I use a CMT milling bit in the router table to do all my tenons.

tenons being cut

completed tenons

mortised legs

tapering legs on bandsaw

I found when working at the saw i would cast a shadow over the blade and this made it hard to see the line especially on darker woods. I cmae up with this idea of using two LED lights expoxied to the bandsaw, pointing to the blade. works rather well!!

Top having been cut to size

ripping the end slats on the table saw. with my blade guard it makes it hard for me to get the fence in close to make smaller rip cuts i.e. less than 4". I made this jig after seeing kelly mehler use a similar system.

This will do for tonight!!! I have about 4 more tenons to cut then it will just be a matter of sanding it down and assembling it. Not sure what finish i will use, i am waiting a new book being delivered to help me select appropriate finishes etc, however i am open to suggestions on this matter.

regards,

michael

 

[OPJ]

Great tip on illuminating your bandsaw! I've got a smaller Osram light; it's adhesive backed but, that didn't last long with all the dust... I may try using epoxy, then - provided it's still easy for you to access the batteries/bulbs, should they need replacing? :? :wink:

 

[slemishwoodcrafts]

the back simply slides on and off, so replacing the batteries is simply a task, of sliding the front off, leaving the back still on the bandsaw

regards,

michael

 

[slemishwoodcrafts]

Been out of the workshop for the past few days, but got some work done tonight, glued up the end pieces and did a bit more sanding.

No photos as yet, but should have some shortly.

regards,

michael