In this project, Paul takes apart a secondhand mahogany table to look at the construction methods used by craftsman in the 17th and 18th century. Applying his discoveries, Paul makes another table to make a matching pair, which trains you and preserves the working skills in the lives of future craftsmen and women.
Paul start this project slightly differently, by taking apart and examining the table which we will be reproducing. He uses this opportunity to show some of the construction methods and techniques used to make the table, which will be touched on continually during the course of this project.
The next process in reproducing the table is to take measurements and put together a cutting list for the project. Once this is done, Paul rips down the stock for the leg and uses various techniques and the taper jig to refine the shape of the leg and get a consistent taper.
Paul lays out and cuts the mortises, reflecting on and using the same tools and techniques used by the original craftsman, as well as showing the method he would tend to use. Then he prepares the material for the aprons, cutting the stock to the correct angle, ready for cutting the tenons in the next episode.
Now the mortises are cut, it’s time to lay out and cut the tenons on the aprons. The sloping shoulders add extra detail and require accurate work. Paul goes through a couple of techniques for cutting the tenons, including the extra detail of the bare faced tenon as found on one of the original aprons.
In this episode Paul lays out and shapes the apron to correspond with the original piece using techniques that the craftsman may well have used. Once all the aprons are ready, it’s time to glue up the base frame of the table using wedges to help apply pressure.
With the base frame completed it’s time to start on the table top. Looking at the original top introduces a number of interesting features such as the methods used to plane to thickness and the breadboard end with tongue and groove. Paul ploughs and mitres the end as well as cutting the mortises.
The next part of making the table top, now the mortises are cut, is to cut the tenons. Paul does this by chopping the shoulders using a chisel and router plane to ensure an even thickness. This produces an even tongue, crisp mitre and tenons which fit cleanly into the mortise holes and feature on the edge of the table.
In this final episode, Paul does the final preparation for and glues up the breadboard end, including wedging the tenons. The table top is then ready for the final shaping including rounding the corners and surface planing. Once he has attached the table top to the base frame, we are at the end of another project.