Reader's Gallery

Nakashima Inspired Coffee Table

comments (13) October 6th, 2008 in Reader's Gallery

fullnelson Greg Nelson, contributor
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This table is constructed using fox wedged tenons and finished with an oil / varnish mix. Butterflies are Wenge.
posted in: Reader's Gallery, table, cherry
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Comments (13)

Execqt Execqt writes: I want to thank you for keeping the character of the wood intact, I think some (not all) woodworkers want to try to keep the pieces clean by cutting out the best part - nature! Great piece!
Posted: 4:59 pm on December 30th

wwwstudiomaderacom wwwstudiomaderacom writes: Very nice. I too enjoy employing live edges in my work when possible and this piece is right up my alley. Beautiful work.
Posted: 1:48 am on March 21st

fullnelson fullnelson writes: Thanks for the comment,

The wedges actually bottom out against the underside of the table. As the leg is driven further into the mortise the wedges splay out the tenon locking it in place. I did make a few test joints to make sure the wedges contacted the bottom of the mortise correctly and had the right amount of taper. I did this by making an identical depth mortise in the same thickness Cherry and then cutting off the side so I could see into the mortise. When I drove in a sample tenon I could exactly what was happening with the wedges and tenon.

Posted: 4:12 pm on November 3rd

jfsksa jfsksa writes: Great table - this inspires me to work with slabs. I saw the link to the fox tenon. How are they used to connect the legs? I can't see them showing on top.
Posted: 11:51 am on November 3rd

fullnelson fullnelson writes: Thanks Mike

You actually don't need many tools. This table was made using hand tools. You also don't need a lot of space or money. I now work in a small studio and build similar and larger tables still using hand tools, and you can find ideal slabs for coffee tables under $200.00. You should give it a try, slabs are enjoyable to work with.

Posted: 8:11 am on November 1st

blumzie blumzie writes: This is a wonderful table,I'm just a lowley nailbender,but that is cool!!! Wish I had the time & money(and shop and tools) to to do work like that. Mike
Posted: 11:19 pm on October 31st

fullnelson fullnelson writes: Thank you. Here is a link that shows a fox wedge tenon, http://sawdustmaking.com/woodjoints/mortisetenon.htm#f158

Thanks again,
Posted: 4:29 pm on October 30th

myopic myopic writes: Timberwerks,
Could you please explain what a fox tenon is?

The table is exquisite.

rrakers
Posted: 2:48 pm on October 30th

Woodjoint_2 Woodjoint_2 writes: Good work Dale. Love the butterflies.
Posted: 8:10 pm on October 9th

fullnelson fullnelson writes: Thanks for the comments. I do a few of these tables every year but this is my favorite, it has such great color and grain. The shape is very interesting as well. I really enjoy working with live edges.
Posted: 9:33 am on October 7th

MBerger MBerger writes: Thanks for posting the extra pictures. You really did a nice job blending the natural edges with the cross-cut edges. I enjoy furniture like this...
Posted: 9:18 am on October 7th

fullnelson fullnelson writes: I cleaned up the edges with a drawknife followed by sanding to 320. I'll add a few more pics that may give a more detailed view.


Posted: 1:23 pm on October 6th

MBerger MBerger writes: Nice piece of lumber. How did you prepare the edges? Is it completely natural or did you have to touch them up?
Posted: 1:00 pm on October 6th

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