tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post713054784833192678..comments2023-12-09T09:15:53.205-05:00Comments on follow your heart woodworking: Please Don't Make a Table Like ThisJulie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-54817943754501103472018-05-02T19:00:04.246-04:002018-05-02T19:00:04.246-04:00Sorry I disagree. When using the fasteners you lea...<b>Sorry I disagree. When using the fasteners you leave enough space in the grooves so that natural movement is not prevented. This works both on the rails perpendicular and parallel to the grain. I am having trouble linking here but if you search “tabletop mounting clamps” at leevalley.com you will see the ones I use and a photo of them used on all 4 rails.</b> Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-54902599829874173262018-05-02T18:39:39.786-04:002018-05-02T18:39:39.786-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-84884769243827551922018-05-02T10:47:01.020-04:002018-05-02T10:47:01.020-04:00Great advice!
HOWEVER, when using table top faste...Great advice!<br /><br />HOWEVER, when using table top fasteners, only place them along the rails that are perpendicular to the grain direction, not on all 4 rails as in your picture above. Wood expands and contracts across the grain and not with the grain. Therefore, placing table fasteners in top rails that are parallel to the grain will prevent that natural movement and defeat the purpose of using table top fasteners. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18432341378028673006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-4028844359809311812018-04-20T19:28:57.709-04:002018-04-20T19:28:57.709-04:00Wish I had found this post a few weeks ago. The sa...Wish I had found this post a few weeks ago. The same exact thing happened to my kitchen island. Had the base really solid but when I screwed the table top down it twisted it. Now I’m having to scramble to do all sorts of things to fix it and I’m wondering just how long the darn thing will last anyway? kameleon_ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04055953869398159344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-81762850624218422362018-02-11T21:02:02.182-05:002018-02-11T21:02:02.182-05:00Your wood needs to be dried to 8-10%, which your s...Your wood needs to be dried to 8-10%, which your store should be able to confirm. Additionally your house needs to maintain a fairly constant relative humidity, usually controlled by a HVAC system.Julie Rosehttp://followyourheartwoodworking.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-59863449149987936342018-02-11T19:31:30.797-05:002018-02-11T19:31:30.797-05:00Julie, I live in Arizona and I, too, love using pi...Julie, I live in Arizona and I, too, love using pine and I'm just getting into building furniture. Thus far wood from Lowe's is serving me well (though I have to search long and hard for decent pieces). Should I NOT do that for furniture or is it dry enough here that you think I'll get away with it? So far so good, but I'm not interested in wasting a lot of time and money on disappointment and frustration. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-14570373154472198202018-01-29T09:26:05.891-05:002018-01-29T09:26:05.891-05:00Thank you Julie!
Thank you Julie!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401421459364881233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-41975171340816279242018-01-29T09:06:54.908-05:002018-01-29T09:06:54.908-05:00Plywood is a good idea for that project but I woul...<b>Plywood is a good idea for that project but I would avoid construction grade 2x4s for the aprons. It may twist and get “funky” as you say.</b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-21097517084077009452018-01-29T02:45:36.991-05:002018-01-29T02:45:36.991-05:00Hi! I am making a sewing work station for a cousin...Hi! I am making a sewing work station for a cousin, using 3/4" Red Oak plywood for a 2' x 7' table top, to indeed avoid movement. The question is, can I then use construction grade 2x4 for the apron to stiffen the plywood, attached via brackets or pocket holes? Or should I worry about the apron getting funky on me? Thanks!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09401421459364881233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-17311670341396755242018-01-16T16:17:53.187-05:002018-01-16T16:17:53.187-05:00Sorry for the delayed response, I have had trouble...Sorry for the delayed response, I have had trouble replying here. Those plans are fine... the basic frame is UNTIL he just puts the planks on top. Those planks will move and most likely crack where they are attached to the frame.Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-4321179162514519322018-01-16T16:12:20.337-05:002018-01-16T16:12:20.337-05:00What you need to do is use elongated holes, perpen...What you need to do is use elongated holes, perpendicular to the wood grain. This allows the wood to move while the screw is in. Don’t tighten the screw too much to allow it to pivot.Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-92184253484630343622018-01-16T14:13:18.902-05:002018-01-16T14:13:18.902-05:00Hello,
I completely agree with you on the need fo...Hello,<br /><br />I completely agree with you on the need for using Z-clamps so that your glued up table top actually has the ability to move. I have a question pertaining to metal bases. I built an oak 1-3/4" thick table top glued up and biscuit jointed. For the same reasons you use Z-clamps for a wood table top and wood apron/leg setup, I'm worried that if I screw these metal base/legs to the wood top, the table top won't be able to move. The base is similar to the link below.<br /><br />https://steeltablelegs.com/collections/metal-dining-table-legs/products/big-a-frame<br /><br />I'm thinking about putting rubber washers inbetween the metal and wood and not screw it down as tight as I can.<br /><br />Any input would be greatly appreciated!Grund1019https://www.blogger.com/profile/04690600847069650422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-24133229456673531582018-01-16T14:09:41.483-05:002018-01-16T14:09:41.483-05:00Hello,
I completely agree with you on the need to...Hello,<br /><br />I completely agree with you on the need to use Z-clamps on a table top you glued up like the pictures in your article are made. I made an oak 1-3/4" thick table top that I'm going to be attaching to metal bases, similar to the one in the link below. For the same reasons you use Z-clamps with a wood apron/leg setup, I'm worried if I screw these metal leg assemblies to the table, the table won't be able to move. Any experience or input on this?<br /><br />https://steeltablelegs.com/collections/metal-dining-table-legs/products/big-a-frame<br /><br />Thanks!Grund1019https://www.blogger.com/profile/04690600847069650422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-39024288402455642882017-12-06T10:41:55.497-05:002017-12-06T10:41:55.497-05:00Would I run into issues if I used construction lum...Would I run into issues if I used construction lumber for the base and a furniture grade board for the top? Would dowels help with keeping the base from warping too much? I plan to get a plane eventually, but I would like to try building something now (debating between a computer desk and bed). Was considering these plans, but with dowels and glue instead of pocketholes: https://www.diypete.com/diy-bed-frame-and-bed-frame-plans/<br /><br />Haven't found good desk plans yet... Nobuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03479768544623324877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-55921966404049493182017-11-04T17:53:36.026-04:002017-11-04T17:53:36.026-04:00Gluing is stronger than pocket holes and much nice...<b>Gluing is stronger than pocket holes and much nicer looking. However, it’s much more important how a top is attached to the base.</b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-45161544709609724712017-11-04T13:41:53.549-04:002017-11-04T13:41:53.549-04:00Trying to understand...so gluing the pieces side b...Trying to understand...so gluing the pieces side by side is different than PH Screwing them side by side with or w/o glue?SoccerCBLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189910987276919210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-79048832531257512642017-08-11T08:09:07.242-04:002017-08-11T08:09:07.242-04:00Donald, construction lumber is not dried the prope...<b> Donald, construction lumber is not dried the proper amount to be used as furniture inside a house. I suspect that is what you used. You need wood that is properly dried to about 10 % moisture content, depending on where you live.</b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-7242317005867654412017-08-09T18:39:24.405-04:002017-08-09T18:39:24.405-04:00I've tried the popular method of glueing and s...I've tried the popular method of glueing and screwing 2x8s together and had them warp badly within hours. can you recommend a better way to build a tabletop? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01232191177195860869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-85555847690487592092017-05-14T21:16:52.887-04:002017-05-14T21:16:52.887-04:00I don't use the Kreg system, so I don't kn...<b>I don't use the Kreg system, so I don't know, please ask someone else, or go to the Kreg website </b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-33344786715553193392017-05-14T18:15:45.754-04:002017-05-14T18:15:45.754-04:00I am making a table as I ask, should I glue when u...I am making a table as I ask, should I glue when using the Kreg systemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-11279112252608600142017-05-05T17:09:46.254-04:002017-05-05T17:09:46.254-04:00Some people do use biscuits to join the wood board...<b>Some people do use biscuits to join the wood boards, as it helps align them. If you are using yellow wood glue and clamps (and biscuits if desired) then your boards will not separate along the glue lines if you are using those clips. If you don't use the clips and just screw down the top, the wood will split somewhere where it experiences the stress of expanding or contacting. In most cases wood glue is actually stronger than wood fibres, so the split is not along the glue line. Now, that also assumes your wood edges are straight and level so that when you glue them there are no gaps.</b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-51471920940073913582017-05-05T10:42:38.580-04:002017-05-05T10:42:38.580-04:00I'm planning on building a large dining table ...I'm planning on building a large dining table to use on a screen porch in Texas. I was planning on using 1x6" kiln dried pine for the top (attaching to the apron with your recommended z clamps). I have a biscuit joiner and thought I'd try it to join the boards of the top. Would that help? Can I prestain the edges so that if it does separate a bit you don't have raw wood lines? Or would the glue not stick?Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06432295468121409584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-22352118775370092502016-07-07T18:03:05.345-04:002016-07-07T18:03:05.345-04:00Thanks, Jarrad, for taking the time to write this....<b> Thanks, Jarrad, for taking the time to write this. I am convinced that taking wood movement into consideration is the best path to take. I'm sure your table will be treasured for many years to come! </b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-5405822781051411392016-07-07T17:18:47.384-04:002016-07-07T17:18:47.384-04:00Thank you for posting this article. It always defi...Thank you for posting this article. It always defies belief when people try to shoot you down for suggesting the correct way to complete a job, rather than the fastest and vastly easier path, as has happened in the comments. <br /><br />I just made a table with buttons, and not only does it look much better for prying eyes, I'm satisfied in the knowledge that the top can expand and contract as needed throughout its life. <br /><br />Keep up the good work and thumbs up to you for doing things the right way. I guarantee the naysayers don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling when they look at their pocket holes. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01116005898231024702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1541118795098319351.post-60287992294384172692016-06-28T07:35:42.739-04:002016-06-28T07:35:42.739-04:00You can always use pocket holes in plywood to plyw...<b>You can always use pocket holes in plywood to plywood connections. I prefer screws straight in, if possible for your design, so not an angled pocket hole. Perpendicular screws get a better grip.</b>Julie @ followyourheartwoodworkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12186806888262891917noreply@blogger.com