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+-- Thread: turning a leg for a big coffee table? (/showthread.php?tid=7057651)
turning a leg for a big coffee table? - overland - 07-18-2015
I need to turn a large leg for a slab coffee table--or find someone who can do it for me. Here's my question. How can I make sure that the leg is the correct diameter so that it fits snugly into the hole made by the forstner bit -- probably 1 7/8 inch in diameter. Or should I attach the leg with a square mortise and tenon and simply turn the leg below that?
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - DaveR1 - 07-18-2015
You can use a round tenon. Typically you would use a dividers or a simple gauge and turn the tenon until the dividers/gauge just slip over the tenon. Remove a little bit of wood at a time until it fits. Some folks will use an open end wrench as a gauge. Or you could make one from a scrap of plywood with a notch of the correct width cut in it.
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - Bill Holt - 07-18-2015
Personal preference here: square mortise and tenon.
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - woodrapper - 07-18-2015
Square is easier to make tenon, harder for mortise. I suggest staying cylindrical, drill a 1 7/8 with Forstner, turn the tenon close but slightly larger than needed, and then continue to sneak up to perfect fit by the cut and try, repeat method.
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - chips ahoy - 07-18-2015
If you are scared of turning it too small and have a sloppy fit. Use sand paper to get it to the final thickness. You could drill an 1 7/8" hole in a piece of scrap to use to test fit.
Mel
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - handi - 07-18-2015
If you are worried about getting a solid fit, you can drill your socket hole in a piece of scrap, then cut the scrap in half and use it as a gauge as you turn the tenon.
Ralph
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - overland - 07-19-2015
All good advice here. But I realize now that I may not have a choice and will have to use a square mortise and tenon and shape the leg by hand, without a lathe, which we don't have. Any advice for the best way to do this?
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - chips ahoy - 07-19-2015
overland said:
All good advice here. But I realize now that I may not have a choice and will have to use a square mortise and tenon and shape the leg by hand, without a lathe, which we don't have. Any advice for the best way to do this?
Look up a local turning club in your area. Go to a meeting and ask if someone would be interested in turning the piece for you. I am sure you won't have a problem finding a helpful turner.
Mel
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - Chataigner - 07-22-2015
You can make round(ish) legs very well with a draw knife to take off the waste, then refine the shape with spokeshaves. It wont be perfect geometry, but it will look fine.
Re: turning a leg for a big coffee table? - Dennis Puskar - 07-22-2015
You may get more input if you post this in the wood turning section.