On 7 Jun 2006 11:17:05 -0700, wrote:

So, I got the table legs cut (and rabbet joints in them). Now to attach
the top frame to the legs, how do I make sure that the individual
member of the frame gets attached exactly 90 deg. to the leg?

I mean.. it is hard to hold down the leg and frame and then put a screw
so that they are jointed at 90 deg.... even if they are clamped down...

In general, how is the assembly done? face down? but then once you have
two legs joined to one member of the frame, how do you assemble the
pair.. there is no 3-way 90deg. clamp available..

it is hard to explain in words.. but if you get the gist, how do you
assemble cut parts where one part is laying horizontal on the table and
the other part is to be joined 90 degree vertically, to hold it, square
it and then put to drive a nail or a screw..

I don't know how you made the legs or aprons, but I generally make the
apron as a full frame, and cut a stopped rabbet in the leg that the
apron fits into- or use mortise and tenon joints to connect the apron
directly to the frame. The other way I've seen it done is to stop the
aprons to butt them against the side of the leg, and put in a
45-degree cross brace to connect the aprons. This way usually uses
two bolts protruding from the leg and through the cross brace- if the
leg is not plumb, you can shim one or the other of the bolts with
stack of washers.

As long as everything else is square and properly milled, I've never
had a problem with assembly- the design generally will pull the leg
into alignment, your job is just to hold it as tightly as you can to
make sure the screw pulls it into position rather than out of it. If
you just need something to clamp against, you could try making a false
bottom the size of the apron assembly (or a little larger, depending
on the shape of the legs) to hold the legs apart, and use a band clamp
to hold them in place.

i guess it cant be done unless there is another person helping or there
is a horizontal-vertical clamp?

Of course it can be done, I've made dozens of tables. Just pay
attention while you're doing it and don't rush. If your first one
doesn't work out, take a good hard look at it and try and figure out
what went wrong, then make another.