I call this the "Saga of the Found Table". At a local auction, I spotted this early 19th century Federal tripod table that had it's top missing and purchased it for very little money. The finish on it wasn't the greatest and there was some slight damage to the bottom of one leg. I had planned to repair the damage to the foot, redo the finish, and replace the top. Later, I decided to skip the finish redo and the foot repair..... both of which speak to the life that the table had. Only the top needed to be replaced with an appropriate mahogany board. I visited Hicksville Planing Mill, in Maryland, and there selected a wide piece of mahogany. They were kind enough to move around 6 large bundles of mahogany planks in order for me to find the perfect piece. The size was 28" long by 23" wide. I planed and ripped this board down to 1" x 26" x 22" before starting the shaping and chamfering the edge to 1/2"..... all hand work. The top was finished to blend in with the rest of the stand. You can see my process from the photos! The 4th photo is of a pair of stands that I had made a few years back..... there's always room for a stand(s).

Fantastic work, Frederick! Sharp tools and a good eye. As has been evidenced in your past beautifully done pieces. You're a true artist.

Beautiful, Rick! Don't you just love Robert, at Hickesville, they are so accommodating and the prices are always great!

Beautiful piece and a beautiful job reviving it!   That style I'll agree is worth saving and I'd love to see modern manufacturers revisiting it.  The bevel you did on the bottom of the top looks great although it is hard to notice/appreciate when the table is in place/in use.  Helped to thin down the thick edge of the top though. 

4D

Most excellent! Great vision and save on that base. Your recreation of a period correct top is awesome. Thanks for pictorial journey too. Much appreciated and it might serve someone else down the road too.

Great job! You did that piece of furniture proud and should live another 100 years!

I've had a piece of oak glued up and mounted on my rotary axis for the last 3 months, just waiting to know what it wanted to be.

Inspired by this thread I've drawn up toolpaths to see if it wants to be a classic tea table post.  There is another glued up oak panel that has agreed to be the table top if I actually cut this out.

Image generated by my CNC software.

The block of wood is only 10 inches long, and 2.75" square.  Aiming to make the table 18" to the top so that tells me how tall the legs will have to be.  Flat spots on the base are where I'll cut dovetail slots for the legs. 

4D

 

Edited May 11, 20233 yr by 4DThinker

4-D be sure to post your work on this project! If you need any measurements, let me know?

Edited May 11, 20233 yr by FrederickH

Block is being rounded off right now on the rotary axis.

Next will be a bit change to a 3/16" end mill to do a roughing cut for the contour shape.

After that a bit change to a 1/8" ball nosed bit to smooth the contour.

Last is a bit change to a 3/16" ball nosed bit to cut the end with the flat spots. 

Taking photos during each new toolpath. 

 

Can't decide if I can cut the dovetail slots while on the rotary axis or jig up the CNC to hold it/rotate/hold it/rotate,etc. 

 

I don't use my rotary axis very often, and each time I forget a step or two.  Usually I've saved toolpaths, realized I need to change the Z axis home clearance.  Save them again, then realize I need to change the feed speed for each bit used to 3000ipm or so otherwise the rotary axis post processor uses default feed speeds for degrees per minute.  Very slow and can burn the wood when cutting.  

4D

Edited May 11, 20233 yr by 4DThinker

That table base is very reminiscent of the Martha Washington tilt top table "Norm" built many years ago. I thought Mimi would like it so I made this- 

 

 

She hated it. Gave it to some friends

4-D, your description of turning out that base almost makes my head explode. Why not do this on a wood turning lathe???

2 minutes ago, FrederickH said:

4-D, your description of turning out that base almost makes my head explode. Why not do this on a wood turning lathe???

The only lathe I have is a small underpowered toy bought from a hardware store several decades ago.  Aspire has a gadget that creates a rounding toolpath to turn a square block into a cylinder.  No work on my part other than zeroing off the bit and hitting a Go button.  Perfect results every time. 

If I didn't have a rotary axis on my CNC I would have invested in a good lathe and this project would be me standing in a pile of shavings covered in sawdust.  As it is I'm in my home office while the CNC does the work.  I can hear it running and when it quits I go down there to change bits and load the next toolpath.

For one-off projects the outcome isn't critical.  If someone sees my little table and asks me to make them one I can make an identical copy using the same toolpaths over and over. 

Is this woodworking?   I call it making.  Furniture design and building, and I use whatever tool/material I have that'll do the job most efficiently.   

Your question is a great one and appreciated. Hope my answer does it for you. 

4D

4-D..... doesn't happen without pics!

Pics are accumulating in my camera.  I'll upload some when the CNC is done.   Working on the smoothing toolpath of the contour right now.  1/8" ball nosed bit stepping over just 10% for each pass. Should not need much sanding to do when done. 

1 hour ago, FrederickH said:

4-D..... doesn't happen without pics!

Took the words right out of my mouth, 'er tablet

Photos now posted in the CNC sections:  

4D

49 minutes ago, 4DThinker said:

Photos now posted in the CNC sections:  

4D

Thank you. I'm impressed beyond words. Can't wait to see the finished project!