Well now, if you’re lookin’ to make yourself a Shaker table, I reckon you’ve come to the right place. Let me tell ya, makin’ furniture the Shaker way ain’t too hard if you follow the steps proper. This here table I’m talkin’ about is a fine piece, made out of cherry wood, real smooth-like and sturdy. It’s got them tapered legs, nice and graceful, like somethin’ you’d see in a nice house, but don’t be fooled, it’s built to last.
Now, first thing you gotta do is pick your wood. For this table, cherry is mighty fine. It’s strong and has a beautiful color, gets even better with age. You wanna cut the legs first, make ‘em all even and nice. Ain’t no rush, take your time with it, you want ‘em to be tapered right down. Not too thick, not too thin, just right. Once you got the legs all done, you can move on to the apron, that’s the frame around the table top. The apron on this Shaker table is made to fit nice and tight, using them good ol’ mortise and tenon joints.
Now let me tell ya, them joints are important. Ain’t no nails or screws in Shaker furniture, no sir. It’s all about the wood and how it fits together. You take the leg and make a hole, and then you make a matching tenon on the apron piece, so they fit together like a hand in a glove. This here method is strong as an ox, and it’ll keep your table from falling apart for years to come.
Once you got them legs and apron all fitted up right, it’s time to put the top on. The top should be made outta a solid piece of wood, none of that cheap plywood. I tell ya, there’s nothin’ like a good solid wood top, it’ll last you a lifetime. Cherry wood’s a good choice, like I said, but any sturdy wood’ll do. You make sure it fits the apron just so, and then you can attach it to the legs. Be sure to leave a little room for the wood to expand and contract, ‘cause that’s what wood does over time.
After all that’s done, it’s time for finishin’. You don’t need too much fuss here, just a nice oil or wax finish. Something simple, to bring out the wood’s natural beauty. You don’t need any of them fancy varnishes or paints that’ll cover up the wood’s good looks. No sir, just let the wood shine through, and you’ll have yourself a fine piece of Shaker furniture.
Now, you might be wonderin’ how to make this table stand out. Well, it’s all about them little details. The Shakers were known for their simple, clean lines, but they also paid attention to the craftsmanship. Every joint, every cut, every piece of wood was chosen with care. That’s what makes this table a Shaker table – it’s all about quality, not quantity.
If you’re just gettin’ started with woodworking, don’t be discouraged. Sure, it takes a bit of time and patience, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be makin’ fine furniture like a pro. And let me tell ya, there’s nothin’ quite like the satisfaction of lookin’ at a table you made yourself, especially when it’s as sturdy and fine as a Shaker table.
So there you have it. A simple, classic Shaker table, made with your own two hands. Ain’t nothin’ better, I tell ya. Just take your time, pay attention to them details, and you’ll have yourself a piece of furniture that’ll last a lifetime.
Tags:[Shaker Table Design, Simple Shaker Table, Shaker Table Legs Wood, Woodworking Plans, Fine Furniture]