I've just ordered some 6/4 walnut from Steve Wall in the hopes of embarking
on my most challenging project to date. Then again - the challenge may be
one more of understanding than anything. My father's VN shadowbox is done,
and my wife keeps asking about her dining room table...

The "design requirements" are these:
- Family of four
- Pretty small dining area w/ attached kitchen.
- Round table w/ pedestal - the more "petite" (read "thin"), the better.
- Walnut

Easy yea?
- Buy a walnut pedestal (only vendor I could find was Adams).
- Build a walnut blank, cut a circle and attach.

Here's where I get scared...
Having a 44" table top w/ no expansion (narrow pedestal) worries me a bit.
Was thinking of splitting the table, w/ a narrow pedestal on each side
(Adams small traditional pedestal in walnut w/ 3 legs) butted (or nearly)
together (with a leg out where they meet) - and a 18" or so leaf.

Expansion table idea scares me - but plenty of articles are available.
Asthetics of thin pedestals with the table "closed" scares me.
Leaf on a round table scares me.

Book recommendations, tips, advice, pictures of such tables, criticism, etc
- is all welcome...

Thanks -

jbd




--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

I would do a poplar version no matter the design
before I committed that much walnut.

I would also look into "several" designs before I
committed to a pedestal base.

"Petite" and pedestal base don't seem to go together.

http://www.tablelegs.com/BaseKits/Di...eBaseKits.aspx


jbd in Denver wrote:
I've just ordered some 6/4 walnut from Steve Wall in the hopes of embarking
on my most challenging project to date. Then again - the challenge may be
one more of understanding than anything. My father's VN shadowbox is done,
and my wife keeps asking about her dining room table...

The "design requirements" are these:
- Family of four
- Pretty small dining area w/ attached kitchen.
- Round table w/ pedestal - the more "petite" (read "thin"), the better.
- Walnut

Easy yea?
- Buy a walnut pedestal (only vendor I could find was Adams).
- Build a walnut blank, cut a circle and attach.

Here's where I get scared...
Having a 44" table top w/ no expansion (narrow pedestal) worries me a bit.
Was thinking of splitting the table, w/ a narrow pedestal on each side
(Adams small traditional pedestal in walnut w/ 3 legs) butted (or nearly)
together (with a leg out where they meet) - and a 18" or so leaf.

Expansion table idea scares me - but plenty of articles are available.
Asthetics of thin pedestals with the table "closed" scares me.
Leaf on a round table scares me.

Book recommendations, tips, advice, pictures of such tables, criticism, etc
- is all welcome...

Thanks -

jbd

After serious thinking jbd in Denver wrote :

( snip)


Book recommendations, tips, advice, pictures of such tables, criticism, etc
- is all welcome...

Thanks -

jbd


I'd ask over in the rec, you might get more replies as some of them
can't get binary groups like this.

Mekon

Maybe this book? http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/070609.html
I haven't read it but looks like it is on the subject.

When I think of the design challenge you propose the following comes
to mind.

1. Build an expandable table that has a rectangular leaf that can be
inserted to make your round table into a longer table with rounded
ends when you need it.

2. Now you have a classic and well thought out design concept that
provides for 2 semi circle halves and a standard atachment that takes
care of all the wood expansion problems. Books like the one mentioned
can provide the details.

3. If you use classic techniques you will have a bent apron, slats
under the table top that are part of the leaf\expansion system that
also manage the attachment to the pedestal and the table top.

4. You can buy leaf extension hardware from several locations and it
will come with instructions about attachment to the pedestal, top,
etc.

5. Even if you don't need it now, build the leaf so you can match the
finish and material exactly now, rather than later.

Here are some suggestions for the round top (which will be split to
make the two halves.)

1. Make sure the glue-up has one wide board centered near the center,
so when you split the table you aren't cutting near or down a glue
line and you'll have a nice mathing effect when the table is in the
round configuration.

2. Cut a piece of MDF to the exact round sive using a router trammel
or other precise method. Then trace that round on the solid wood glue-
up, cut close to the line with a band or jig saw. Then use a pattern
\trim bit on a routerand the MDF template to finish cutting the solid
wood round.

3. For a more petite (thin) look for the table top, chamfer the
underside of the table top edge. If you make the edge maybe 3/8" thick
and an un-equal chamfer back at least an inch or so the top will look
really thin. I have also used panel raising bits and put a nice smooth
curved cut-away on the underside. Faking a thin edge by undercutting
it like is super effective and really lightens the look of pieces. I
use it on shelf edges and tops all the time.

Fine Wood Working mag had a pedestal table with a 3 foot base maybe a
year ago detailed all the attachment techniques. It didn't have an
expanding table top (I fdon't think) here are the plans.
http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/011053.html


BW

On Dec 3, 11:21 am, jbd in Denver
wrote:
I've just ordered some 6/4 walnut from Steve Wall in the hopes of embarking
on my most challenging project to date. Then again - the challenge may be
one more of understanding than anything. My father's VN shadowbox is done,
and my wife keeps asking about her dining room table...

The "design requirements" are these:
- Family of four
- Pretty small dining area w/ attached kitchen.
- Round table w/ pedestal - the more "petite" (read "thin"), the better.
- Walnut

Easy yea?
- Buy a walnut pedestal (only vendor I could find was Adams).
- Build a walnut blank, cut a circle and attach.

Here's where I get scared...
Having a 44" table top w/ no expansion (narrow pedestal) worries me a bit.
Was thinking of splitting the table, w/ a narrow pedestal on each side
(Adams small traditional pedestal in walnut w/ 3 legs) butted (or nearly)
together (with a leg out where they meet) - and a 18" or so leaf.

Expansion table idea scares me - but plenty of articles are available.
Asthetics of thin pedestals with the table "closed" scares me.
Leaf on a round table scares me.

Book recommendations, tips, advice, pictures of such tables, criticism, etc
- is all welcome...

Thanks -

jbd

--
Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com

Mon, Dec 3, 2007, 9:50pm (EST+5)
(Pat*Barber) doth sayeth:
I would do a poplar version no matter the design before I committed that
much walnut.
I would also look into "several" designs before I committed to a
pedestal base.
"Petite" and pedestal base don't seem to go together. snip

Prototype definitely. I think a lot of details were left out too.
First it's a round table, then extension is mentioned. Didn't see how
large the top is expected to be. I would think it would have to be
pretty fair size to accommodate four people. Personally I'd want a very
sturdy pedestal, with lots of support - someone is bound to lean on it.
Actually I'd probably make a trestle table instead. Go visit your local
library, and do your homework. You want round tops, with thin
pedestals, make four individual tables.



JOAT
Even Popeye didn't eat his spinach until he had to.

(J T) wrote in news:11963-4755A3DC-1068@storefull-
3331.bay.webtv.net:

You want round tops, with thin pedestals, make four individual tables.

All of it good advice - thanks.

And also appreciated (with a chuckle) the blunt instrument approach to a
reality check!

jbd



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Tale a look at www.tablelegs.com , Matthew Burak shows at least two round
tables.

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
...
Maybe this book? http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/070609.html
I haven't read it but looks like it is on the subject.

When I think of the design challenge you propose the following comes
to mind.

1. Build an expandable table that has a rectangular leaf that can be
inserted to make your round table into a longer table with rounded
ends when you need it.

2. Now you have a classic and well thought out design concept that
provides for 2 semi circle halves and a standard atachment that takes
care of all the wood expansion problems. Books like the one mentioned
can provide the details.

3. If you use classic techniques you will have a bent apron, slats
under the table top that are part of the leaf\expansion system that
also manage the attachment to the pedestal and the table top.

4. You can buy leaf extension hardware from several locations and it
will come with instructions about attachment to the pedestal, top,
etc.

5. Even if you don't need it now, build the leaf so you can match the
finish and material exactly now, rather than later.

Here are some suggestions for the round top (which will be split to
make the two halves.)

1. Make sure the glue-up has one wide board centered near the center,
so when you split the table you aren't cutting near or down a glue
line and you'll have a nice mathing effect when the table is in the
round configuration.

2. Cut a piece of MDF to the exact round sive using a router trammel
or other precise method. Then trace that round on the solid wood glue-
up, cut close to the line with a band or jig saw. Then use a pattern
\trim bit on a routerand the MDF template to finish cutting the solid
wood round.

3. For a more petite (thin) look for the table top, chamfer the
underside of the table top edge. If you make the edge maybe 3/8" thick
and an un-equal chamfer back at least an inch or so the top will look
really thin. I have also used panel raising bits and put a nice smooth
curved cut-away on the underside. Faking a thin edge by undercutting
it like is super effective and really lightens the look of pieces. I
use it on shelf edges and tops all the time.

Fine Wood Working mag had a pedestal table with a 3 foot base maybe a
year ago detailed all the attachment techniques. It didn't have an
expanding table top (I fdon't think) here are the plans.
http://store.taunton.com/onlinestore/item/011053.html


BW

On Dec 3, 11:21 am, jbd in Denver
wrote:
I've just ordered some 6/4 walnut from Steve Wall in the hopes of
embarking
on my most challenging project to date. Then again - the challenge may be
one more of understanding than anything. My father's VN shadowbox is
done,
and my wife keeps asking about her dining room table...

The "design requirements" are these:
- Family of four
- Pretty small dining area w/ attached kitchen.
- Round table w/ pedestal - the more "petite" (read "thin"), the better.
- Walnut

Easy yea?
- Buy a walnut pedestal (only vendor I could find was Adams).
- Build a walnut blank, cut a circle and attach.

Here's where I get scared...
Having a 44" table top w/ no expansion (narrow pedestal) worries me a
bit.
Was thinking of splitting the table, w/ a narrow pedestal on each side
(Adams small traditional pedestal in walnut w/ 3 legs) butted (or nearly)
together (with a leg out where they meet) - and a 18" or so leaf.

Expansion table idea scares me - but plenty of articles are available.
Asthetics of thin pedestals with the table "closed" scares me.
Leaf on a round table scares me.

Book recommendations, tips, advice, pictures of such tables, criticism,
etc
- is all welcome...

Thanks -

jbd

--
Posted via a free Usenet account fromhttp://www.teranews.com