Edge jointing

[Steve N]

Good point. A proviso is you still need a relatively straight edge to run against your router table fence. If you have that by making a TS cut to make sure side A is straight, then just flip the board over and make side B straight as well, then you have a huge choice of cutters that will make a mating surface. You just need to practice with whichever cutter you get, to find out how best to get that match, there can be some variance. But if you do get the edge going that way, you can kill off one of the biggest problems of a panel glue up, which is under clamping pressure flat sided pieces do have a tendency to raise up, and sometimes this causes an uneven panel. Using a mated cutter is very similar to using biscuits, or dowels to glue up a panel.

Joe 1086 you are correct, and sometimes when you have limited tools buying pre-made parts, like table legs, drawers, and many other things make sense. Having it done can get it done, but if you are able to, well it's why I am into woodworking. I find there are always a number of ways to skin any cat, and sometimes finding out how to do it with what you have makes for a valuable lesson

[ez-duzit]

A track saw makes straightening an edge on lumber a snap. Couldn't be easier.

[Stwood_]

No jointer, then a simple sled made for your table saw will do the job.

[robert146]

Edge gluing random boards 8 feet long? I hope he has a lot of clamps.

[handi]

Edge gluing random boards 8 feet long?  I hope he has a lot of clamps.

Actually, with properly straight edges, you only need to hold the boards together. Using clamps to force gaps closed is just adding stress to your top. 

With boards more than 4" wide, you only need a clamp every 8"

[robert146]

Handi, you're right. He will only need eight clamps. I re-read the original post: He has six boards that are eight feet long and five to eight inches wide. That will be quite a table; a minimum of 30 inches wide. I wonder what kind of table it will be? It will be a bummer to move around as he puts it together. I hope he has a helper. I've built picnic tables that size, but they don't need a glue-up.

[JGrout]

 I wonder what kind of table it will be?  It will be a bummer to move around as he puts it together.  I hope he has a helper.  I've built picnic tables that size, but they don't need a glue-up.

it is not that difficult if you just get the edges to match. 

The reason I do not use my TS sled  is due to the fact that you can have a straight edge that has waves or even small parts that just do not quite come together correctly. I can always verify this as I run the edges over a jointer as the divots just from changing the pressure on the TS sled will announce themselves loud enough for me to hear.

[FloridaRetiree]

it is not that difficult if you just get the edges to match. 

The reason I do not use my TS sled  is due to the fact that you can have a straight edge that has waves or even small parts that just do not quite come together correctly. I can always verify this as I run the edges over a jointer as the divots just from changing the pressure on the TS sled will announce themselves loud enough for me to hear.

Beautiful dining room table.

Am wondering though about the breadboard ends and movement given the differences in expansion and contraction?

Hope tis not an issue on this piece but have learned the hard way in the past and thus formed a religion based on knowledge of hygroscopicity and anisotropicity.

[Stwood_]

I assume Joe allowed for the expansion so the breadboard shouldn't be a problem.

[Steve N]

I assume Joe allowed for the expansion so the breadboard shouldn't be a problem.

Plus I've seen him post that pic over several years, so it must also be standing the test of time, and annual changes in RH. I've never met Joe, but I still favor the opinion if that table had blown up, he wouldn't still be posting it's pic