Tiny Table 4 is another example for the final beginning workshop class project. This charging table example is also 24 inches tall with a 9" diameter decagon (ten sided) top. It is also another example of detail continuity throughout the design. These four Tiny Table projects are made as initial diverse examples to show and inspire the students. The creative projects designed and built by students of this class will become the new examples to show and inspire and challenge the next class of students. Rather than have the next class start from scratch with this project each class year sees a new baseline to challenge them to improve upon.
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| Top face of decagon top. |
The top started out 1.157" thick. The top side has a 45 degree chamfer around the edge to help the edge look thinner. The chamfer also catches light differently than the top, adding visual complexity/interest to the simple top.  |
| Decagon Top. Bottom view. |
The bottom face of the top is carved to emphasize the ten sides as well as reduce the visual thickness of the wood slab.
This project teaches how to chamfer the perimeter edge of the table top. It also teaches a simple way to make an interesting 3D shape on the bottom face of the table top using the CNC software. With the CNC software installed in the college computer lab, students are assigned to design their own 9" maximum table top, then save the toolpaths for it to cut on the small CNCs. There are 5 legs. Five legs provide the most efficient and stable footprint for the nearly circular top. All legs start at 3/4" thick. The legs taper inward to just a bit thicker than .5" at the top inside corner.
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| Beveled Edge and Tapered Thickness |
The outer edge of the legs has a double chamfer that matches the corners of the top above them. The top edge of the legs is shaped to echo the carved underside of the top above them.
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| Top End Profile |
The leg elevation view tapers down to 1.25" wide at the bottom.  |
| One of 5 legs. |
The legs are a complex shape and require several processes to produce. This project teaches the logical sequence and tools used for the steps needed to produce it:
1. While the board is still a rectangle, cut double bevels on the straight outer edges of the legs. Use the table saw with blade tilted 18 degrees.
2. Cut out duplicate parts (5 legs) using a template. Use double sided tape or a few spots of hot melt glue to attach the template to the leg board. Rough cut within 1/16" or so with the bandsaw and use a flush cut pattern bit on the router table to trim flush to the template.
3. Layout and cut mortises. Use the mortising machine or the drill press with a Forstner bit followed by chisels to clean out the mortise. Or potentially start with a slot cut using an end mill in the router table followed by some chisel work to square the mortise. A CNC configured for clamping boards on edge could also be used.
4. Taper both sides of the leg thickness from outside to inside edges. Use a sled with shims to tilt the leg slightly (2.7 degrees) and run through a planer or the horizontal drum sander. Repeat on the other side but shim the board 5.4 degrees. Shims can be cut using the bandsaw. The digital angle gauge can check the shimmed angle. Hot glue in place before running through either machine.
Short 1/2" thick stretchers are mortised into the inside edge of the legs. The inner end of the stretchers dovetail into one face of the 5 sided center hub sections. Top and bottom edges of the stretchers have a small double 18 degree bevel to perpetuate the table top corner angle detail.
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| Top Stretcher Dovetail End |
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| Top Stretcher Tenon End |
There are two center 5 sided hub sections. One is 2" tall underneath and connected to the top. The second is 3" tall and roughly halfway down the legs. The hubs connect all the legs together. Stretchers from the legs dovetail into these hubs. Exposed ends of the hub sections are shaped to a shallow peak to contribute to the overall design aesthetic. This project teaches how to make a 5 sided block, and how to cut dovetail slots perfectly centered on the sides of a 5 sided block. |
| Top center hub. |
There are 3 other Tiny Table examples that along with this one will show students the level of detail and range of creativity they are expected to achieve. The continuity of details in this project add to the story that can be told about it. It is the story about the table details more than a quick glance at it that make it memorable and more desirable.
More related educational projects are here:
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