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The Editors Mailbox

Successful first try at breadboard ends

Tom McKenna, Managing Editor

12 users recommend

I sized the table for the small four-season porch I built. It seats four comfortably, but it can fit six in a pinch.

Tom McKenna

I used wedged through-tenons to attach the stretcher to the trestle posts. The wedges are walnut (as are the pins that hold the breadboards and tenons).

Tom McKenna

I wanted the posts and stretcher to come from the same board. This knot was in an inconvenient spot, but I decided to use it as a design element, a tribute of sorts to wood's defects. It's kind of a surprise, mostly for the kids who are under the table retrieving toys and silverware.

Tom McKenna

I sized the table for the small four-season porch I built. It seats four comfortably, but it can fit six in a pinch.

Photo: Tom McKenna

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Here's my latest project: a casual maple dining table for my four-season porch. I can't take credit for the design, at least totally.

I based the overall proportions on Gary Rogowski's cherry table (“The Versatile Trestle Table,” FWW #214). And I used an alternative to his base design: I incorporated a straight trestle stretcher, not a curved one, and used different-style wedged through-tenons to attach it to the trestle posts. I also changed the feet and cap designs of the trestle ends, inspired by Charles Durfee’s “Trestle Table with Breadboard Ends” (FWW #141).

It was a good woodworking workout. I got a lot of practice with template routing for the trestle caps and feet, as well as for the posts. I made my own dowels for the pegged tenons. For the top I decided to try my hand at breadboard ends, a scary prospect considering the potential cost of mistakes. But the job was made easier with a jig that helped me rout the tenons so the top and bottom shoulders would line up perfectly. Finally, I learned a lot about building up a durable tabletop finish. The biggest lesson being, “patience.”

The table is 24 in. wide by 54 in. long by 29 inches tall. The finish is Minwax Wipe-On Poly.

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Williamsburg 2012: Furniture of Mount Vernon

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Comments (4)

Tom writes: Thanks, crooked
Posted: 11:21 am on January 31st

crookedshack writes: Fantastic piece, Tom. And yes, I like the room as well. I really like that you worked with the knot. It adds to the uniqueness of the piece and speaks of your ability to work with what others would have considered a defect. Great job!
Posted: 10:56 am on January 28th

Tom writes: Thanks, Matt.
Posted: 11:16 am on January 25th

MKenney writes: Looks great Tom. I really like how the room turned out, too.
Posted: 10:55 am on January 25th

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