Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48152 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-12
• Released on: 2002-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

dining tables exposed
If you need to construct a dining table you would be hard pressed to require a design or construction technique not found in this book.

The introduction covers design criteria specific to dining tables: space required per person, height requirements, and seating arrangements.

The first chapter covers a basic kitchen table using mortise and teno joinery with solid wood. The author then moves through a variety of designs including trestle, circular, queen anne, expanding, and "boat shaped" (i.e. conference) tables, among others. The vineyard table is quite unique.

In addition to the designs a variety of construction and decorative techniques are presented. Mortising machines are discussed side-by-side with mortising chisels. Veneering is in three chapters and curved and circular work comes up in several chapters.

Most of the ideas can be adapted to other types of tables, and the discussion on veneering alone is worthwhile to almost any project. I found it one of the better guides to basic veneering techniques. This book would be suitable for entry level woodworkers as well as experienced ones looking for fresh design ideas and inspiration. Highly recommended.

All types of tables and techniques
I've purchased numerous woodworking books and found this one of the more useful. The photos are excellent and coupled with the text and tips are close to looking over the craftsman's shoulder as he completes each technique.
The book covers a wide range of table styles and techniques. It is useful to the range of woodworkers from beginner to advanced.
Basic operations such as jointing, gluing, mortising are covered as are pattern cutting and veneering. Design, dimension, structural considerations and material selection are discussed in detail. The several chapters are veneering are especially helpful. The table projects themselves range from a basic kitchen table to Queen Anne to torsion box veneered conference tables to veneered circular table. The book is helpful for some one designing a table and uncertain of the size, design or materials to use.
Some good general shop and tool information is also available on K. Carleton Graves web site.

Everything I Expected, and More!
I bought this book looking for a design I could use for a dining room table. What I found was not only a design that I loved, but clear step-by-step instructions, drawings, and great photographs. The section on table building basics which covers table size and clearance, wood movement, and torsion box construction was extremely informative.