 |
After the glue has set, I turn to sanding the table surface flat and smooth. I
use the belt sander at 120 grit.
|
And then move to using the random
orbital sander to 180 grit.
|
 |
 |
I now cut the table top to the
final dimensions. This is one of those times when I really appreciate having a sliding
table for the saw. This is a big panel. However, if I didn't have the sliding table, I
would have used a straight edge clamp and used the small trim saw to make the cut.
|
Now we are caught up to when
Catriona (Gaelic for Katrina) has joined the project. The next step we want to do is to
route dados in the breadboard ends. She is installing a 3/8" straight bit in the
router.
|
 |
 |
She adjusts the bit for height.
Since we are cutting a 3/8" wide and one inch high groove in walnut, it is necessary
to make several shallow passes.
|
With the fence set to center the bit,
Catriona starts the cut. She is plunging the stock at the start point. It would be nice to
have feather boards in place, but it isn't possible when making a plunge start cut. Taking
the plunge slow allows her to make the cut safely.
|
 |
 |
Once the plunge is done, she uses
a simple shop jig to hold the piece firmly against the fence to make the cut to the other
end where she will stop the router and ease the piece off the bit.
In addition to making many passes until the groove is 1" deep, she also
turns the piece and routes with the other side against the fence. This assures that the
resulting groove is centered.
|
With both end boards mortised
(grooved), Catriona double checks that she has a 1-inch groove. She does, so it is time to
cut the tenons on the top.
|
 |