Replies

1. 
   MBerger | Aug 02, 2007 08:33pm | #1

   We've done a few articles that cover this subject.

   Lon Schleining wrote an article called Lamination Bending, which uses an oval table as the test piece. He provides great tips for glue choices and lamination jigs and proceedures.

   Another article called Curved Table Aprons offers a different approach, using bendable plywood and veneer.

   I couldn't find anything that specifically discusses the joinery in detail, but the most common technique that I can think of is a mortise and tenon joint where the apron sections join to the legs.

   The trick here is to cut the tenon shoulders such that there's no gap where the aprons join to the legs. I just spoke with someone on staff who has done this and he said he made a tablesaw jig that held each apron section in a position to cut a perfect shoulder.

   Let me know if you need more detail and I'd be happy to follow up.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

    

   
   

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   Edited 8/2/2007 1:34 pm ET by MBerger

1. 
   djsawdust | Aug 03, 2007 04:21am | #2

   thanks for your reply Matt. I'm most curious about how in the glueing up of the muitiple lamination apron, when your trying to bring all the pieces together at the exact, correct spot, and how would you get all the lenghts correct and have a nice looking joint  . Thanks Dan

2. 
   saschafer | Aug 24, 2007 06:36am | #3

   I don't think the way you want to do it is practical. It would require lots of measurements to come out exactly right, all at the same time, and that just never happens in real life. I suggest:

   1) Glue up the apron laminations in two halves. The ends, as well as the top and bottom edges, will need to be cleaned up.

   2) Join the finished apron halves with a floating tenon or other suitable end-to-end method.

   3) sand the joints smooth and apply a finish veneer over the assembly.

   Doing it this way, you only have one joint where you have to get it just right, and you'll be doing it over a rigid piece, rather than a bunch of wet laminations that are slipping and sliding all over the place.

   -Steve

1. 
   djsawdust | Aug 24, 2007 07:23am | #4

   thanks on the apron question, Dan