Size does matter

So far I’m managing to keep up with my weekly cadence on posting video for the one-day table project.  In this episode 2, I discuss how I used some test cuts with the Festool Domino XL to actually determine the width of my table aprons.  Then, the rest of this episode is really focused on the sizing of the components.  I will say, not having to account for tenons on the ends of the aprons makes sizing much easier.  And my “no math” method for determining the dimensions helped me keep this part of the process fairly short and sweet.  In the next episode, I’ll be going through the process of cutting all the joinery with the Domino XL and giving my final analysis of the tool along with its strengths and weaknesses.



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A one-day table? Impossible!

My wife is absolutely famous for calling out my manhood.  You see, any time she has a suggestion for a new project, she usually challenges me with something like “just slap it together – how hard can it be?”  I’m not a miracle worker; I can’t just build a quality piece of furniture using real joinery in a single day – it just can’t be done.  But this time around, fortune was smiling on me.  I just happened to get a very timely email that helped me employ a new secret weapon to counter the manhood-questioning barbs from my wife.   That’s right, I managed to get my hands on the Festool Domino XL joinery system ahead of its commercial release in the US.  It wasn’t even in stores yet - she would never know!  So I threw down the gauntlet and predicted I’d actually be able to build that elusive one-day table and regain my pride.

So, this new series challenges conventional woodworking wisdom and documents how I was able to build a shaker-style table from start to finish in a single day.  It uses aprons tenoned into tapered legs, as well as an edge-joined hardwood top.  And just to prove I didn’t take any short cuts, I built the whole thing out of ash, one of the hardest, bit-chomping species out there.  Episode one concentrates on construction of the top, as well as my first take on the Domino XL.  Subsequent episodes will go into some other time saving-techniques I employed both with the Domino and some creative combinations of power tools.  Now if you'll excuse me, my wife has just placed an order for a Queen Anne highboy for delivery first thing tomorrow - I had best get started.

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