This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.

Great looking picnic table. Mission style?
And how was the use of the dado made easier.....
Did you plunge cut the mortise and then clean it out with chisle....
Good looking table.
jloomis
"Upscale" wrote in message
...
This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman
for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that
when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.

"Upscale" wrote in message
...
This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman
for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that
when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.


Good lookin' table!!

And for an outdoor table, this looks very refined. Not that many picnic
tables look this good.

"Upscale" wrote
This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman
for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that
when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.

I'm absolutely tickled you got to use some elements of the design ... I
consider it an honor! Passing these things down is what it's all about.

Besides, you really did it proud, my friend!

You're right about the TS/dado stack combination for tenons ... it's been my
experience also.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 8/18/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

"Upscale" wrote in message
...
This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman
for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that
when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.



Cedar I presume ? Regarding the tenons, as the dado will relatively short
tenons, do you get the length by doing a couple of cut by moving the fence ?
Secondly are the top planks glued or not......

"jloomis" wrote in message
...
Great looking picnic table. Mission style?
I don't, know. Is that mission style? Whatever it is, blame it on Swingman.
The picnic table is modelled closely on an indoor table that Swingman made.

And how was the use of the dado made easier.....
Did you plunge cut the mortise and then clean it out with chisle....
Good looking table.

Thanks. If you look closely, the feet of the table are made out of 2x8 cedar
glued together with facing 3/8" grooves routed in each to fit 3/4" tenons
cut on the legs. What made the dado an easier tool to use was that it was
easy to sneak up on matching dimensions between the tenons and lap cuts on
the feet. Two seconds adjustment on the tablesaw, three minutes per
adjustment on the router.

"mike hide" wrote in message
Cedar I presume

Yeah, category 2 cedar (cedar with knots) as it's referred to around here.
At $2.17 a foot, much cheaper than completely knot free cedar which retails
at over $6 per foot.

Regarding the tenons, as the dado will relatively short
tenons, do you get the length by doing a couple of cut by moving the fence
?
Secondly are the top planks glued or not......

I didn't use the fence at all, just the mitre. The tenons at the top and
bottom of the legs are all through tenons. The two pieces each of the tops
and the feet (each piece having a half lap cut in it) are glued together
with Titebond III. There's no true mortises in this table, just through
tenons and half lap cuts.

No glue for the table top. The top planks are nailed into a cross member at
each end which is then bolted to the cross members at the tops of the legs.
The nails are Lee Valley's silicon-bronze ring nails. They've got a smaller
footprint, hold very well and are a reasonably close match in colour to the
cedar.

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,41306,41324

I left any finishing decision up to my friends, but recommended Cabot's if
they do want to finish the table. (I hate finishing so this was my way of
getting out of it.)

Great looking picnic table. Mission style?
And how was the use of the dado made easier.....
Did you plunge cut the mortise and then clean it out with chisle....
Good looking table.
jloomis
"Upscale" wrote in message
...
This is a picture of the trestle picnic table that I built as a thank you
for some friends. It went to its new home August 24. Thanks to Swingman for
design suggestions. Biggest lesson I learned from this project is that when
compared to a router, a dado blade for the tablesaw adjusts much more
easily, is less messy, definitely quieter and a WHOLE LOT FASTER when it
comes to making tenons. Not having done this type of construction before,
I'm happy to say that it turned out much better than I expected.

Next table I hope to make will be a more refined, indoor version of this
table.




Damn, ANOTHER post I dont get to see the pic of.




Mekon

--
Mekon

"Mekon" wrote in message
Damn, ANOTHER post I don't get to see the pic of.

I posted it in this newgroup. What can't you see it?

The vagaries of newsgroups I guess, and the Pacific ocean in between
us. Sometimes I see the posts sometimes I don't.
I've complained. And that doesn't even make me feel better, let alone
do anything.

Mekon

--
Mekon

"Mekon" wrote in message
Damn, ANOTHER post I don't get to see the pic of.

I posted it in this newgroup. What can't you see it?

"Mekon" wrote in message
The vagaries of newsgroups I guess, and the Pacific ocean in between
us. Sometimes I see the posts sometimes I don't.
I've complained. And that doesn't even make me feel better, let alone
do anything.