The Nest of Tables
… An exercise in precision!.
The Full Series is Available for Immediate Access!
Watch the Trailer below:
Thanks for another entertaining and educational episode (and series!).
I really appreciate how you present information and the camera angles and music are exceptional!
– Vu H
About This Series
An Emphasis On Precision
The three tables need to slide together effortlessly, and this call for great accuracy at every stage from the prep of the components, to the joinery, and final glue ups.
We build some jigs – including a ‘hand thicknesser’, and cover techniques along the way to help with that precision.
Step by Step Instruction
We take great pride in breaking things down & explaining the details.
After all, complicated is just a bunch of simple stuff that’s been described too quickly.
PDF Plans
Download the cutting list & plans in either metric or imperial.
We include details for all of the joinery.
These drawings will become available as the build progresses.
Basic Tool Kit
– The usual marking & measuring tools.
– Joinery Saws. For ripping & crosscutting.
– Jack Plane. Different irons are required for roughing & smoothing.
– Router Plane (optional but highly recommended). For truing joints.
– Chisels. Strong bevel edge for morticing, plus additional for paring joints.
– Mallet | Drill (I opted for electric) | Clamps
– Bandsaw (optional). Used for ripping rough blanks.
– Filister Plane. Could be substituted with a rebate plane.
– Plough Plane. Could be substituted with a chisel if necessary.
The Nest of Tables
Price only £35.00
Lifetime access to the full series to stream and / or download (as it becomes available).
Includes PDF Plans.
Great work. So accurate. Gotta try me that router plane bridle one of these days.
– Jonathan E
I would like to comment on the fine quality of all your videos, i.e. the sharp close ups, the color rendition as well as the music provided. Hats off…
– Mark T. Hamden, CT USA
The Nest of Tables
The Full Details
Watch Online | Stream & Download.
11 chapters + PDF plans.
Over 8 hours in total!
Now complete!
Chapter One: Prototyping
42 mins.
Before beginning the build we go through the design process together.
The idea for these tables was clear, but the details needed to be honed in on before we could start. This video goes through the stages of design and discusses the thought process along the way.
Chapter Two: Precision Prep
45 mins.
This build is unusual in how accurately we need to dimension the parts.
To achieve this with both ease and pace we build a hand plane ‘thicknessing jig’. The process for prepping is systematic and the results are impressive as all components are perfectly matched.
Chapter Three: The Bridles
46 mins.
For a strong & tidy connection of these small frames we use bridle joints.
The router plane is a fantastic asset for the joinery in this build as it provides a method for really fine tuning these small joints to an exact fit.
Chapter Four: Mortice and Tenons
1 hr 6 mins.
In the small table the top of the legs each require two joints.
Connecting to both the short and long rails is a bit of a squeeze, so we ensure maximum strength by planning in a haunched mortice and tenon & bridle joint that are able to fit around one another.
Chapter Five: The Long Rails
36 mins.
The smallest table has a different design to the larger two.
Before moving on to the long rails we complete the haunches and fit of the mortices & tenons started in the last chapter. The long rails are then connected in with bridle joints.
Chapter Six: The Panel
33 mins.
We build the top panel as a homemade blockboard for stability.
Although it’s not essential to build the blockboard from scratch we go through the step by step process of doing so. Alternatively you could use a pre-made ply here, though building your own offers great hand planing practice!
Chapter Seven: Panel Fitting
39 mins.
In the smallest table the panel is grooved into the rails on all four edges.
This is a key area where accuracy is required to ensure a seamless result. We take a methodical approach to the marking and cut rebates around the panel which are fine tuned to fit in grooves within the inner face of each of the rails.
Chapter Eight: Gluing Up
46 mins.
We need to ensure that everything comes out square and parallel.
The table is delicate so we take care to go through the glue up in stages where we can apply pressure without introducing any twist. In the final assembly we add additional precautions to give the best change of a square and true outcome.
Chapter Nine: Joining The Larger Table
39 mins.
Though the joinery is similar to what we’ve already cut, the larger two tables are different in their layout.
We go through some of the areas that they differ as we cut the initial joinery.
Chapter Ten: Breadboard Ends
42 mins.
The top panel and short rails are joined as one.
In the larger tables we connect the short top rails directly to the top panel as though they were breadboard ends. This is actually a simpler process than in the small table design.
Chapter Eleven: Finishing Up
1 hr.
With all of the joinery cut we can complete the build!
The largest table gets glued together and then we careful work through a process of fine tuning the fit of each of the tables to one another, so that they ‘nest’ with a lovely sliding fit.
Brilliant. Really enjoyed that, super production. Your consistency in your ability to remain meticulous with each piece is a dam fine discipline…
– David O
The Nest of Tables
Price only £35.00
Lifetime access to the full series to stream and / or download.
Includes PDF Plans.