| 1828.1 |
| I am in the final stages of designing/building a Sheraton table. I found the plans for one in one of the many books I have read. I have had to modify the dimensions to satisfy my wife and the walnut I have. There is a picture of the table in Yeung Chan’s “Classic joints with Power tools” attributed to William McArthur page 163. The legs are 1 1/2″ by 26″. I have modified the design from my plans to include a lower shelf an thicker legs. Now that I have it cut out the legs and planed and scrapped them they look awfully thick. The legs are square with a two sided taper in the last 8 inches. The lower shelf will attach just where the taper ends. I would like to have a lighter look and wondered if I could plane about 1/2″ on the outside of the legs to accomplish a lighter look. My question is will a half inch taper from the top to about 8″ increase the splay of the table legs. How can I make a chunky solid have a light splay. |
Edited 3/4/2008 7:30 pm ET by lynnroy
Replies
If I understand your question correctly, I don't think the outside taper will work. But try this. Make up a sample leg of something cheap, a 2x4, and cut the taper you're considering into it. Paint the leg black and set it up on your shop floor. Take a look at it, examine it. This is the best method I know for designing: making models. A full scale leg will tell you more about how you like it's look more than my advice.
As for chunky legs and splay, splay usually refers to an actual angle that a leg kicks out. Tapering it will not increase any splay but merely give a feeling of lightness. But four sided tapers are I believe another trait of Sheraton style tables. Try making some full scale models to see how much taper will work for your particular design. Another option is to taper the foot on all four sides from that 8" spot to the ground. Good luck.
Now that I have the piece together it looks great. You were right on target. Enjoy you sense of humor and the advice.
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