Finding New Ways to do Things Differently

This business of design as practiced through woodworking is often and basically one of trial and error even given a broad depth of experience. I will never stop learning and being frustrated and amazed by the path to outcomes no matter now long I stay with it. The table just completed here is so basic and simple. A simple tapered leg table. Yet it exists because I need to always learn more which is basically something my dad taught me.

I decided to build this table as part of the glue strength test project I began last fall. The project had two components really. One was an actual test of the glue strength itself, and the other was to be an application of the glue to a typical project. The project did not happen as I planned because the glue did not test well with respect to strength. I was going to use the new glue to join the table apron pieces to the tapered legs and therefore prove a substantial time savings but instead, completed the project by using a traditional wood glue.

I did a number of things on this project that were either new or something that I do not always get the chance to do though. I built tapered legs on the table saw. And I employed a different finishing process. I also got the chance to employ one of the unique period profile router bits I have to the table top. The table base is simple and fundamental, yet the profile around the top is complex and elegant. Both statements work well together. I think I already knew that they would though since that seems to be inherent in a lot of my work.

I both expanded and reinforced knowledge by doing this simple project which seems far from the main goals I set for my workshop last summer in building a new pipe organ. I think there will continue to be projects like this again and again on this blog space because after all, I can never stop learning.