Stack Tables
December 2024
Duration: 10 days
Project Description:
This project came about on a whim over Christmas break. I had leftover live-edge wood from a previous project, and I knew a family that was in need of a coffee table for their living room. I pitched the idea of stack tables, and it was a good fit. I gave myself a ten-day window to ensure they were ready for use before the holidays.
Money spent: $9
Wood species: Cherry (live-edge & standard), oak (antique posts)
Power tools used: 8
MATERIALS & RESTORATION
I made this project a challenge for myself to spend the least amount of money possible. The posts for these tables were purchased from an antique store for $3 a piece. The rest of the wood was leftover from previous projects. I sanded every inch of the posts to remove the old coating on them, and I did the same to clean up the live-edge slab after cutting it into three chunks.
JOINERY
I put each post on the lathe to remove wood from one end, creating a cylindrical tenon.
FINISHING
Using a jigsaw, I cut thin slices out of each tenon, which would eventually be used to tighten the joint.
As the posts and table tops dried, I worked on the joinery for the stands. I cut out six strips of cherry and used a dado blade on the table saw to cut grooves out of the middle for joinery.
CONSTRUCTION
After joining each stand together, I sanded them smooth, and they were ready to go.
Before joining the posts and table tops, I filled the gaps in each tenon with glue and hammered the slices of cherry wood in. This tightened each joint before the glue dried to maximize strength. I then used a Japanese pull saw to cut off the excess wood from the tenons.
FINALS
I cut equivalent holes into the table tops as the post tenons using the drill press.
The stands were simple to attach, using wood glue and screws from underneath. Finally, I sanded the table tops to smooth out the joints, and the construction was finished.
Using a scrap piece of cherry wood, I cut thin slices to place inside each tenon.
