90% Done: Friday Update

Going into the week I had the base parts done, but I needed a way to connect the bases to the top. So I cut sliding dovetails.

These started with a groove cut in the underside of the table tops. I used a template and a router to cut precise slots, removing material with a general purpose bit and following it with a dovetail bit to create the angled profile.

With those done I could setup the router table to cut the corresponding tail in the top plates, but before starting with the work piece I use an offcut from the top plates to setup the router. With the table set I can run the workpieces through, ensure they fit, trim the ends to cover the groove and boom, the parts are done with the final task of the week being sanding before assembly.

Okay, with the progress out of the way I want to explore a topic. Testing.

I’ve never been a big tester, usually opting for doing it live the first time and if there’s failure, trying again. But as I have gained experience I’ve started testing more and more.

Early on when I woodworked I thought testing was a waste of time and material, so I wouldn’t. I bought just enough material, cut to exact size and made it work, unless something went wrong in which case I had to go back to the store and buy more wood to do it over again.

Realizing I was actually wasting time and material doing it this way I slowly shifted, purchasing a little extra up front, cutting parts long to trim off short lengths perfect to test with, and test things I am uncertain of.

In this most recent project I tested the angles of the base and caught an error where my 10 degree lean was on the wrong side, making my trapezoid upside down. I also tested the length of the bases, cutting them long, putting the pieces in place and fine tuning the size to what looks good in real life. And of course the sliding dovetails I already mentioned.

You could even say I planned in testing in the lengths of the tops. You’ll see they are all wonky on the ends, that’s because I haven’t cut them to final size, but will wait until after I glue them together so I don’t have to try to line up the ends perfectly.

So now I’m an advocate for testing because experience has taught me to fail small, opting to waste a little rather than risking wasting a lot.

So that’s it for this week. Next week I’m on to assembly and finish which means final delivery is right around the corner for these two tables!

Lessons That Coast By

Combating Consumerism