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Harlequin Side Table: The Legs



The case was completed last time …





... but before the drawer dividers can be permanently installed, the legs need to be made and attached.



This was the original drawing ...



Some has been retained and some has been changed.



Instead of curved legs, which I later decided did not match the overall style, I decided on round, tapered legs that will splay out from the case.



Before turning the legs, the splay was created by tapering the top of the legs on the table saw. The slider uses a Fritz and Frans jig to rip the end at the chosen angle (8 degrees). This ensured that the splay angle would be the same for all legs.





The blanks were then turned to shape. Here I am checking that the near-to-finished legs are the same dimensions and have the same taper angle …





The ends were then cut off and the top was shaped with rasps and sandpaper …





How to attach the legs? Well, that had given me a real headache. I was thinking along the lines of a loose tenon ... overcomplicating matters (as usual). A number suggested simply glueing and screwing. I was skeptical, but of course, a glue joint alone is generally stronger than the wood ... and reason prevailed 



There are three screws per leg, which were countersunk for the drawers. The glue chosen was Titebond III.





All cleaned up, this is what we have (drumroll) …





The splay to the side is 8 degree, and from the sides, the legs are aligned with the front and rear of the case.





Drawers next 



Regards from Perth

Derek



June 2019