I learned in Session 9 of the Maple Trestle Table Build that using a router to cut mortises was slow and tiring, and required me to wrestle the heavy slabs into a vertical position. I certainly didn’t want to bring the wood to a stationary machine such as a hollow chisel mortiser or slot mortiser – even if I got it into position, it would want to tip the whole machine! A biscuit joiner would have been about as useful as duct tape. Pocket holes? Not for this type of project! A dowelling jig wouldn’t have allowed any lateral expansion so that wouldn’t work either.
Mortised Slabs with Floating Tenons
Yesterday I ordered a Domino XL, which I believe is the best tool for my application. (If you can think of a better tool, please let me know!) I wanted the ability to use different thicknesses of tenons so I looked at the options for buying tenons and bits.
To accompany the Domino XL, Festool put together two packages of pre-cut Domino tenons and the appropriate bit(s), all neatly contained Systainers. One Tenon Assortment comes with 8mm/10mm bits and 8mm/10mm Domino tenons in various lengths while the other comes with a 14mm bit and 12mm/14mm Domino tenons, again in various lengths (a 12mm bit comes with the Domino XL).
The purpose of the Systainers was to keep tools and accessories organized, especially onsite. Some woodworkers I have talked with like having them in the workshop but I have never found them particularly helpful.
I anticipated using mostly the larger sizes. With the release of the DF-700, Festool also released 750mm lengths of milled Domino tenon stock which the end user could then cut to whichever length was needed.
I wanted long tenons and the matching bits but not the Systainer. I sat down and put together a spreadsheet in pretty Festool green and blue (the far-right column is interesting as it shows the extra cost of pre-cut tenons over the 750mm lengths). It showed me that for 80% of the cost of the two Tenon Assortments I could order the individual bits and packages of 750mm tenon stock and get 105% more tenon stock. However, I would not get the two Systainers and would need to cut the tenons myself. That did not concern me in the least, so that’s what I did.
The Domino XL and accessories arrive June 1, 2012.
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table.
I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed. Here is a list of the previous Sessions:
Session 1 - Flat Boards are Boring; Session 2 - Playing with Slabs; Session 3 - From Two Slabs to One Table Top; Session 4 - Clamping Odd Shapes and Sketching on Wood; Session 5 - Routing Pockets for Battens; Session 6 - Making Battens and Installing Countertop Connectors; Session 7 - Installing Battens and Flattening the Underside; Session 8 - Make Your Tools Work for You and Flattening the Top; and Session 9 - Mortises the Slow Way (or Why I’m Buying a Domino XL).
(If you are not familiar with the format used on Twitter, every update, or “tweet” below starts with a username, being the author of that tweet. Sometimes, you see two or more usernames in a tweet. The second (and third, etc) usernames are preceded by a @ symbol and are people to whom the author is talking. The other symbol you see is #, which serves as a category. I try to remember to categorize all my tweets pertaining to this project under #flairww.)
FlairWoodworks The rain’s coming down hard in Port Moody and I’m back in the shop working on the trestle table. Follow along as I start the base! #flairww -12:13 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m laying out the base components on these four pieces of maple. #flairww -12:22 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve been looking at this leg I roughly cut, trying to decide if it looks too big. #flairww -12:47 PM May 1st, 2012
ravinheart @FlairWoodworks first impressions … my vote is Not too big #flairww -12:56 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks So I cut the legs and they still feel lacking. I think I need curved legs instead of straight legs. #flairww -1:12 PM May 1st, 2012
ravinheart @FlairWoodworks yup … curvy legs are always good :) #flairww -1:13 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’d describe what I want to do, but it will be easier and more clear if I just do it. #flairww -1:15 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks The hose feels like it’s fighting me so I’m going to reattach it to the ceiling. #flairww -1:33 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I had taken the hose down from the ceiling so that I could reach all the way across the shop when I cut the edges of the table top. #flairww -1:33 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Dust collection on the Festool Trion jigsaw is not great, even with the dust shroud in place. #flairww -1:39 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks However, the orbital feature is terrific. Cuts are very quick when the saw is set to a full orbital stroke. #flairww -1:40 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I scribed a line along the leg where I need to cut the curved brace. What’s the easiest way to do the cut? #flairww -1:52 PM May 1st, 2012
ravinheart @FlairWoodworks Start on the Bandsaw or by hand ? #flairww -1:54 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I love having it! #flairww RT @Tooltutor: @FlairWoodworks That’s a sweet slider! -2:02 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Anybody out there have a track saw? How easy would it be to make these two cuts perfectly square in 2-1/2″ thick maple? #flairww -2:04 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I could also lean it over like this. Any thoughts? #flairww -2:07 PM May 1st, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks I have a track saw, but I’d leave that cut to my miter or table saws. -2:12 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Why? #flairww RT @DyamiPlotke: @FlairWoodworks I have a track saw, but I’d leave that cut to my miter or table saws. -2:12 PM May 1st, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks I like [the lean]. -2:12 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Ha! Now I need to find another piece of maple with curved grain! #flairww -2:15 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I broke another blade. After breaking the first blade, I backed off the side guides a little. What gives? #flairww -2:21 PM May 1st, 2012
Tooltutor @FlairWoodworks u could do it with a track saw with the accuracy of your square though I’d def prefer a table or miter if it fits -2:27 PM May 1st, 2012
Tooltutor @FlairWoodworks you’re getting too buff man-handling those bigass slabs, snapping blades like toothpicks -2:30 PM May 1st, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks Easier to determine right angles, less setup and greater depth of cut. -2:35 PM May 1st, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks yes, I do [like the leaning leg design]. -2:35 PM May 1st, 2012
Tooltutor @DyamiPlotke @flairwoodworks seconded -2:36 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Before installing a third blade, I decided to see if I could find some more information on the set up of the jigsaw guides. #flairww -2:36 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Unfortunately, the written instructions for the @FestoolUSA Trion Jigsaw are not very comprehensive. #flairww -2:37 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks I totally use my track saw for cutting slabs.-2:45 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Did you see my application? #flairwwRT @Tbdi0629: @FlairWoodworks I totally use my track saw for cutting slabs.-2:47 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks yep, that’s a slick way to do it if you have that option. -2:50 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I noticed that one of the dust extraction ports in the jigsaw’s shoe is clogged. I’ve had this before. #flairww -2:58 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Would it be as easy with a track saw? #flairww RT @Tbdi0629: @FlairWoodworks yep, that’s a slick way to do it if you have that option. -3:00 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I was unable to clear the blockage just by digging at it with a pencil, as I’ve done in the past. #flairww -3:01 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I removed the shoe to expose the blockage. #flairww -3:04 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I picked up an assortment pack of bits a number of years ago which included hex and Torx drivers. Very useful. #flairww -3:08 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks That’s a great debate evoking question! :) but I would say yes. -3:19 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Here are the two legs roughly positioned. I’m going with the lean. #flairww -3:26 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks What would be the argument for “no”? #flairww RT@Tbdi0629: @FlairWoodworks That’s a great debate evoking question! :) but I would say yes. -3:27 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks I’m not sure, maybe someone would rather rig up a jig for their tablesaw or bandsaw or etc. but me… I prefer my festool [track saw]. -3:33 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks @Tbdi0629 The trouble is, a typical 10″ tablesaw has a capacity of about 2-1/2″ and a jig reduces that. #flairww -3:35 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks @Tbdi0629 And a bandsaw doesn’t give the same quality of cut. #flairww -3:35 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks yep, my thoughts exactly. -3:40 PM May 1st, 2012
Tumblewood: YES!!! The White Trash Boom Arm!! RT @FlairWoodworks: The hose feels like its fighting me so I’m going to reattach it to the ceiling. #flairww -4:03 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Ah, and there’s the inventor! #flairww RT @Tumblewood: YES!!! The White Trash Boom Arm!! -4:08 PM May 1st, 2012
Tumblewood The table is looking awesome, Chris! RT @FlairWoodworks: Ah, and there’s the inventor! #flairww RT @Tumblewood: YES!!! The White Trash Boom Arm!! -4:09 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Thanks, Vic! I’m enjoying the creative process building the base! RT @Tumblewood: The table is looking awesome, Chris! #flairww -4:10 PM May 1st, 2012
kring_l:@FlairWoodworks good call with the lean are you matching both sides or opposing? -4:26 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks They lean in opposing directions. #flairww RT @kring_l:@FlairWoodworks good call with the lean are you matching both sides or opposing? -4:30 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks @kring_l Remember the spin match I used for the top? I’d like to match that. #flairww -4:31 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks My lunch break is done! I need to figure out how much the legs should lean, then join the braces and cut the tops flat. #flairww -4:33 PM May 1st, 2012
Black_SheepWW @Tumblewood @FlairWoodworks Did you have to extend the length of the hose for this? I’m fighting mine when sanding. Needs to be hanging. -4:33 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks @Black_SheepWW Definitely. I have a 36mm hose, then a 27mm hose off of that. Each are 3m long, I think. #flairww -4:34 PM May 1st, 2012
Tumblewood Dental picks!! RT @FlairWoodworks: I was unable to clear the blockage just by digging at it with a pencil, as I’ve done in the past. #flairww -4:41 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Ha! I’d never used this square since I bought it 4 years ago and was thinking of “Overflowing” it. #flairww -4:43 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks It turns out to be the perfect tool for this! #flairww -4:43 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks My next step is to joint one face flat and plane the other parallel. #flairww -4:45 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I still don’t have a Domino XL (or even @tumblewood’s M600). Fortunately, 50mm x 10mm Domino tenons will work. #flairww -4:57 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Before cutting joinery, I need to fair the inside edge. #flairww -4:59 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I used my #3 bench plane, which affords a more comfortable two-handed grip than my block plane. #flairww -5:06 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks There’s some pretty figure on this edge. Too bad that it’s one of the least visible parts. #flairww -5:10 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I put a pencil line across the joint where I want the Domino tenons. #flairww -5:21 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve got the mortises bored. Time for a dry-fit. #flairww -5:38 PM May 1st, 2012
Tbdi0629 @FlairWoodworks I have a set of “test” dominos I have sanded down, to use in my test fits. I marked them black. -6:08 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve got the parts for the second leg surfaced. Now I need to lay out and cut the joinery. #flairww -6:15 PM May 1st, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks I use pliers to pull Dominos too. -6:21 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Just like on the other leg, the inside curve has beautiful grain. And it’s hidden. #flairww -6:25 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Time for another dry fit. I don’t put Domino tenons in the oversized mortises for the dry run. #flairww -6:34 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve laid out another angled caul for the other leg. #flairww -6:39 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Okay, time for the second glue-up session! #flairww -6:44 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Another successful glue-up with the right amount of glue squeeze-out. #flairww -6:53 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I kept glue away from the left side of the joint near the inside corner so I wouldn’t have to clean it up later. #flairww -6:54 PM May 1st, 2012
Tumblewood @FlairWoodworks I can see that shape for the legs, but would prefer them from wood. #flairww -7:40 PM May 1st, 2012
kring_l @FlairWoodworks I agree with @Tumblewood the metal would take away from all the work you put into the top -7:51 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks It wasn’t that much work. Okay, it was. #flairww RT @kring_l the metal would take away from all the work you put into the top @Tumblewood -9:02 PM May 1st, 2012
Tumblewood A nice piece will have people crawling to check it out. The detail will not be in vain. RT @FlairWoodworks: Just like on the other leg, the inside curve has beautiful grain. And it’s hidden. #flairww
FlairWoodworks Okay… I’m back in the shop after dinner. I’ll start by unclamping the legs and cleaning off the excess glue. #flairww -10:09 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks It seems Twitter on my phone won’t post tweets with pictures after 8pm. Here comes a backlog of Tweets… #flairww -10:39 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks This is how I’m laying out the top and bottom cuts to ensure the leg is centred on the foot. #flairww -10:40 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks The arm looks overly heavy and I’ll probably trim it down a little. I’m not sure how yet, though. #flairww -10:41 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks This is how it will look installed, only the leg will be on the batten, not behind it. #flairww -10:42 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m using my spokeshave to refine the curve of the arm.#flairww -10:42 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks The curve of this section is too severe for my flat spokeshave. I don’t have a convex spokeshave. #flairww -10:44 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I can, however, cheat a little by extending the spokeshave’s blade out a little further. #flairww -10:44 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve switched to carving gouges to blend the arm into the leg.#flairww -10:52 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I worked across the grain with three gouges of different sweeps to begin blending the arm into the leg. #flairww -10:58 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m working on the second leg where the same things need to be done. #flairww -11:20 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks With the opposing angles of the legs, attaching the stretcher will be interesting, to say the least. #flairww -11:37 PM May 1st, 2012
luggermatt @FlairWoodworks Certainly looks fun :-) -11:38 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Hmmm. I’ll let you know if it was when I’m finished! #flairww RT@luggermatt: @FlairWoodworks Certainly looks fun :-) -11:38 PM May 1st, 2012
FlairWoodworks Okay, that’s a good place to stop tonight. To be continued…#flairww -11:50 PM May 1st, 2012
Morton @Tbdi0629 @flairwoodworks hahah – I have the exact same [test dominos], with the exact same black markings ;) heh. -4:06 AM May 2nd, 2012
Tbdi0629 @Morton That’s funny! But then again, what’s the saying about minds that think alike….hmmm :) -7:09 AM May 2nd, 2012
McPhersonDoug @FlairWoodworks Really enjoying following ur VERY cool table build. Thanks for tweeting your progress. Great stuff. #woodchat -6:19 AM May 2nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks @Tbdi0629 @Morton I had a set of Dominos that I’d sanded down too. I dyed my set red. #flairww -9:38 AM May 2nd, 2012
In Session 11, I did more work on the legs and began work on the stretcher-to-leg joinery.
On the morning of Sunday, April 15th, Morton and I exchanged ideas about trestle tables, spurred on by a recent sketch of a table on which he was working. That got me yearning to build a trestle table.
I documented my progress live on Twitter which was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed. Here is a list of the previous Sessions:
Session 1 - Flat Boards are Boring; Session 2 - Playing with Slabs; Session 3 - From Two Slabs to One Table Top; and Session 4 - Clamping Odd Shapes and Sketching on Wood.
(If you are not familiar with the format used on Twitter, every update, or “tweet” below starts with a username, being the author of that tweet. Sometimes, you see two or more usernames in a tweet. The second (and third, etc) usernames are preceded by a @ symbol and are people to whom the author is talking. The other symbol you see is #, which serves as a category. I try to remember to categorize all my tweets pertaining to this project under #flairww.)
FlairWoodworks I’m back in the shop and starting off by routing the edge with a template bit to make the table’s edge square and even. #flairww -10:40 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks The danger of bits with shank-mounted bearing is that the bit can be tipped into the workpiece. #flairww -10:42 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
atully1 @FlairWoodworks what’d you decide on the cavity? -10:43 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Nothing yet. RT @atully1: @FlairWoodworks what’d you decide on the cavity? -10:47 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ll leave that gouge alone for now because I still haven’t decided how I’m going to profile the edge. #flairww -10:47 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve turned the slabs over and planed away some of the rough surface to see what’s underneath. #flairww -11:33 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve decided that I’ll use countertop connectors to hold the two slabs together and allow the table to be taken apart for ease of moving. #flairww -11:35 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I want to establish two flat areas on the bottom for battens to keep the tabletop flat. #flairww -11:36 AM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Back from lunch. Today, lunch meant mowing the front lawn, repairing a bicycle tire, visiting with my uncle, and eating a cookie. #flairww -2:24 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
GenWoodworks @FlairWoodworks well at least you got to eat something … Lol -2:26 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks That was a good cookie! #flairww RT @GenWoodworks: @FlairWoodworks well at least you got to eat something … Lol -2:26 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I want to make a template from this piece of plywood to rout the flat surface for the batten. #flairww -2:30 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I installed a template guide and straight bit in my router and measured the offset. #flairww -2:40 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks With this dimension known, I can figure out how much wider to make the template. #flairww -2:40 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I ripped the plywood into three strips, the middle one being the width of the slot, then cut off the ends. #flairww -2:51 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I installed a 6mm bit and cut mortises for Domino tenons. #flairww -3:03 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I like how the Domino tenons fit snugly so I don’t even have to glue the template together. #flairww -3:04 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
Tooltutor what IS the stigma with pocket holes? Is it “cheating”? RT“@FlairWoodworks: Pocket holes would also work. *GASP!* #flairww” -3:06 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Well, it’s not Festool. It’s also not wood joinery. RT@Tooltutor: what IS the stigma with pocket holes? Is it “cheating”? #flairww”-3:07 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
DyamiPlotke @Tooltutor @FlairWoodworks let there be no shame with pocket screws. -3:12 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’ve got the jig set up and placed shims under the router before bottoming the bit to set the depth. #flairww -3:14 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks It’s for a batten on the underside of the table. The legs attach to it too. #flairww RT @DyamiPlotke: what’s the pocket for? -3:26 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
DyamiPlotke @FlairWoodworks ah. You’re recessing the batten for aesthetics? -3:29 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Mostly to get a truly flat surface. #flairww RT @DyamiPlotke: @FlairWoodworks ah. You’re recessing the batten for aesthetics? -3:29 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks The two battens may actually be the most important part of this table. #flairww -3:31 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
prevailingcity @FlairWoodworks I’m loving seeing this thing come together. -10:26 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Thanks for that, Jake! RT @prevailingcity: @FlairWoodworks I’m loving seeing this thing come together. -10:26 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
WVWoodshed This is excellent! I am really enjoying the tweets, blog entries and project photos a lot!!! Thanks!!!!! -11:23 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
FlairWoodworks Glad to hear it! RT @WVWoodshed: This is excellent! I am really enjoying the tweets, blog entries and project photos a lot!!! Thanks!!!!! -11:24 PM Apr 22nd, 2012
Friday night, I went to down the shop because I wanted to build something. I started with a small slab of Western maple and designed the piece on the fly. I documented the build live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates from the second session (see what I did in the first session here). This was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed.
(If you are not familiar with the format used on Twitter, every update, or “tweet” below starts with a username, being the author of that tweet. Sometimes, you see two or more usernames in a tweet. The second (and third, etc) usernames are preceded by a @ symbol and are people to whom the author is talking. The other symbol you see is #, which serves as a category. I try to remember to categorize all my tweets pertaining to this project under #flairww.)
FlairWoodworks Back at it looking for materials for the table’s base. I like how this piece splits and rejoins. #flairww -1:04 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I need my sawhorses, but unfortunately, they’re being used to hold some special maple. A little help? #flairww -1:07 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Here’s another angle of the split. It is connected at both ends.#flairww -1:10 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Unfortunately, this fantastic piece with the split is a few inches wider than the top. That won’t do. #flairww -1:14 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I could skew the legs a bit so that their width fits completely under the top, but I’m not sure I like that idea. #flairww -1:15 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I could also just have the legs stick out beyond the edges of the table top but I don’t like that idea. #flairww -1:15 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Now I’m thinking about a very simple, clean stick-form base. Think Krenov cabinet stand. #flairww. -1:17 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Here are some of my choices for base materials. The bottom piece is live-edge maple, the rest are birch. #flairww -1:33 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I have to start thinking about how high I want this table to be. (I still think it’s going to be a table.) #flairww -1:34 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I like the contrast provided by the two boards on the right. However, the far right board has too much figure for legs. #flairww -1:40 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I mark the areas on both sides that are unacceptable. That helps me realize how much material I really have. #flairww -1:47 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks From the board, I milled these four pieces. They are about 1-1/4″ square (the size doesn’t really matter). #flairww -2:12 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks From these four pieces, I will cut 4 legs, 2 short stretchers and 1 long stretcher. Or maybe 4 legs and 4 short stretchers. #flairww -2:13 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks@BCcraftmaster I decided that piece wasn’t suitable for this table. It deserves to be the centerpiece, not just a set of legs. #flairww -2:27 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks 18″ is the standard height for a coffee table. Should I follow that rule? #flairww -2:31 PM Apr 7th, 2012
sharpendwood @FlairWoodworks Liking it. Are you adding any curves to the legs? -2:32 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks@sharpendwood So far they are straight. I’ll do all the joinery while they’re straight, but once assembled I can go crazy. #flairww -2:33 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Couches are getting taller and taller. 18″ seems a little low so I’m going to make my table 20″ high. Or should I make it 21″ high? #flairww-2:35 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks The top’s just over 2″ thick so I’m going to cut the legs 19″ long. I can always recut them later. #flairww -2:37 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Before I get to joinery, I need to cut the short stretchers. One end of the table is 9-1/2″ wide, the other 11″. #flairww -2:45 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I use a short fence as a stop to accurately cut the stretches to length. (I’ve never liked mitre gauges!) #flairww -2:53 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m trying to figure out how to register the Domino to cut joinery on 1-1/4″ square stock. Wish I had these: #flairww -3:02 PM Apr 7th, 2012
ChrisHasFlair I think I’ll just use pencil marks and line it up manually. Unless someone has a better idea… #flairww -3:03 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Here’s my test piece with two 8mm mortises 25mm deep. I readjusted to have the mortises better centered. #flairww -3:13 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks It is difficult to balance the Domino joiner on a single leg so I use the others for additional support. #flairww -3:33 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I checked that had cut all the lower mortises before adjusting the Domino Joiner to cut the upper mortises. #flairww -3:40 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Both glue-ups are done. Now I need to get ready to go to dinner. I might be back in the shop tonight. #flairww -4:10 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m actually going for dinner with my friend, Dave, who milled the wood so I thought I should get a picture. #flairww -4:22 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks The stretcher would at least be cut shorter. Or I may use something completely different for the stretcher. Or make it a shelf. #flairww-4:23 PM Apr 7th, 2012
Morton@FlairWoodworks Do something different. Use a bent or live-edge piece, vertical or horizontal. Keep it fun!-5:17 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m back in the shop fitting the legs. I used a pencil to transfer the shape of the top to the legs. #flairww -10:52 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks A bevel along the top edge of the leg assemblies disguises any minor variances. #flairww -11:34 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I should have drilled this hole with the drill press before assembly. It would have been easier. #flairww -11:40 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks The manual countersink doesn’t work as quickly or as well as a drill-powered one, but I still like using it. #flairww -11:46 PM Apr 7th, 2012
FlairWoodworks I’m not quite happy with this stretcher. It feels lacking. It’s the last component (and therefore the next step) so now I must think. #flairww -12:44 AM Apr 8th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Hmm… this has potential. It’s a form I used to laminate curved arms for a Morris chair I built in grade 11. #flairww -12:56 AM Apr 8th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Here is the stretcher I’ve started. Tomorrow, I’ll pillow the ends and install it. #flairww -1:19 AM Apr 8th, 2012
Sc0FF@FlairWoodworks did you fill the check in the top or is the picture playing tricks on me? #flairww -5:14 AM Apr 8th, 2012
BCcraftmaster @FlairWoodworks looking good. The pics make it look tall. You said 21″ right? Looks like 36″ in the pics -5:32 AM Apr 8th, 2012
FlairWoodworks No, it’s just the picture. RT @Sc0FF: @FlairWoodworks did you fill the check in the top or is the picture playing tricks on me? #flairww -10:24 AM Apr 8th, 2012
FlairWoodworks Yes, 21″ tall. RT @BCcraftmaster: @FlairWoodworks looking good. The pics make it look tall. You said 21″ right? Looks like 36″ in the pics-10:25 AM Apr 8th, 2012
Yesterday, at 2:05 pm, I decided that I needed to get my benchtop mortiser off my bench. I documented the process of building and mounting wall brackets live on Twitter and what you see below are the updates. This was useful because each update had a time stamp so followers could see the rate at which I progressed.
(If you are not familiar with the format used on Twitter, the @ symbol indicates a username. Every update, or “tweet” below starts with a username and they are the author of that tweet. Sometimes, you will see two or more usernames in a tweet. The second (and third, etc) usernames are people to whom the author is talking. The other symbol you will see is #, which serves as a category. I tried to remember to categorize all my tweets pertaining to this project under #flairww.)
@FlairWoodworks: I need a pair of brackets to mount my mortiser on the wall here. Follow along with #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:05 pm
@FlairWoodworks: This is my mortiser. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:06 pm
@FlairWoodworks: These are some hardwood scraps I had in the shop. The wood on the right is interesting but there isn’t enough. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:13 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I use a short fence on my sliding tablesaw to cut the parts to length. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:17 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I used the jointer to flatten one face, then used the bandsaw to make the other face parallel. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:22 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I used the smallest of my seven bench planes to clean up the bandsawn surfaces. This wasn’t really necessary though.
January 10, 2012, 2:34 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I dry-fit the bracket and marked the cuts for the cross-brace. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:38 pm
@FlairWoodworks: Some of the cuts for the cross braces were angles greater than 45 degrees. This is how I cut them. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:50 pm
@DyamiPlotke: @FlairWoodworks great, simple strategy.
January 10, 2012, 2:50 pm
@FlairWoodworks: Here’s your first look at what they will look. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:52 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I’m using 8mm Dominoes for the joinery so I had to switch the bits from the last time I used the Domino Joiner. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 2:56 pm
@FlairWoodworks: To get this mortise accurately cut, I clamped a stop 10mm down from the centerline. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 3:08 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I forgot to readjust the depth setting for the angled ends. I’ll plug this cavity with a Domino and try again. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 3:14 pm
@FlairWoodworks: One glued up! #flairww
January 10, 2012, 3:26 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I use Extractor nail pullers to remove the Dominoes after dry-fitting. #flairww
January 10, 2012, 3:41 pm
@DyamiPlotke: @FlairWoodworks good idea. I use pliers.
January 10, 2012, 3:55 pm
@FlairWoodworks: @DyamiPlotke The jaws of the Extractors remain parallel for a better grip.
January 10, 2012, 3:56 pm
@DyamiPlotke: @FlairWoodworks yeah. I’ll try an extractor next time.
January 11, 2012, 4:00 pm
@FlairWoodworks: The glue is dry now so it’s time to continue making the brackets for wall-mount the hollow chisel mortiser.
January 11, 2012, 5:20 pm
@FlairWoodworks: The next step is to flush up the joints. #flairww
January 11, 2012, 5:22 pm
@FlairWoodworks: If the brackets are out of square, I use the tablesaw to cut them square. #flairww
January 11, 2012, 5:34 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I drilled two angled holes at the top and one straight at the bottom. #flairww
January 11, 2012, 5:45 pm
@FlairWoodworks: I attach one bracket at the measured height on the wall and use a level to determine the vertical placement of the second.
January 11, 2012, 5:58 pm
@FlairWoodworks: Finally, I hefted the mortiser onto the brackets and bolted it down. #flairww
January 11, 2012, 6:16 pm
@woodbard: @FlairWoodworks Well done, Chris! The mortiser has found a permanent home, out of the way of other tools. Support planned for long boards?
January 11, 2012, 6:20 pm
@FlairWoodworks: @woodbard And it only took two months! When I need outfeed support, I will probably just set up a sawhorse.
January 11, 2012, 6:24 pm
A few months ago, I picked up a Festool Domino Joiner (#574308) for myself. I had been considering it for a few years while also looking at other options such as a mortising block, horizontal slot mortiser or hollow chisel mortiser to name a few. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that I would want a Domino eventually, so why not now? My rationale was: the more use I got out of it (as in, the sooner I got one), the better value would be. I also purchased the Domino Systainer Assortment (#495664) which includes six sizes of floating Domino tenons and five bits (two Dominos vary only in length and therefore use the same bit). I’ve found having different sized Dominoes available has been useful. I’ve not yet used the smallest 4mm Dominoes, but I’ve used all the others.
I’ve been getting a lot of use from the Domino and I am really happy with the purchase. It’s paid for itself already and it is a pleasure to use. It worked great when assembling the melamine cabinets as it ensured perfect alignment without the need to plug screw holes after assembly. And I am confident in the strength of the mortise and tenon joinery. I can’t say the same for biscuits. I see dowels as a viable option, but not nearly as quick. The Domino is fast and easy to use, but I’ve found that I sometimes make mental errors while trying to work as quickly as the machine. I think that this is part of the learning curve and I am learning from every mistake I make (mostly forgetting to check an adjustment).
I recently shot the following video review of the Domino system.
