Dining room table and bench

This is pretty work, table and bench to be proud of!

I’d like to know what the underneath side of the bench top looks like, how the legs are attached and supported. It has a very nice look.

-- Jim, Houston, TX

Nicely designed. I like the miter across the top.

-- AJ

Thanks Jim!

Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures of the finished underside. How ever, I can tell you how I did it.

I set the legs on the table like this:

Then measured between the legs and cut a 1×3 piece of pine to fit between them. I used a forstner bit to recess a couple of these:

Into the pine, then screwed it into the bottom of the table.

Then, I cut a short piece of oak to connect the sides and drilled holes for the bolts in the legs.

It’s pretty sturdy, and allows the legs to be removed if necessary.

-- An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools

Nicely designed. I like the miter across the top.

- AJ1104

Thanks AJ!

Those pieces were a huge pain in the butt to cut out.

-- An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools

Reese, I appreciate the quick reply. That is interesting. I don’t know about those metal inserts you used – not something I’ve come across before.

However, it is the BENCH legs that I was intrigued with.
I wanted to see the attachment method that results in the top of the leg being partially mortised into the top of the bench, and exposed.

Thank you

-- Jim, Houston, TX

Heirloom! Will be treasured for decades to come.

-- DJ Peck, Lincoln Nebraska. Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.

This is a wonderful table and bench set. You did a great job on these.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

Great looking dining table and bench—I’m sure they will be enjoyed at every meal!

-- Dean -- "Don't give up the ship -- fight her 'till she sinks!" Capt James Lawrence USN

However, it is the BENCH legs that I was intrigued with.
I wanted to see the attachment method that results in the top of the leg being partially mortised into the top of the bench, and exposed.

Thank you

- jimintx

Jim, my bad, I read your post a little quicker than i thought.

So, the bench top is 3/4” laminated cherry, edge grain. It’s roughly 16” wide and 60” long.

I took two pieces of pine 1×4 and cut them a little longer than the height i wanted (green pieces), then I laminated another 1×4 (red) to the green piece with an offset for the bench thickness and the thickness of the blue 1×4. Once the glue is dry, I cut the legs to length. The blue piece is screwed and glued into the red pieces. There’s also a 5/16” hole drilled 3/8” from the top of the legs and through the bench top itself. I put a piece of 1/4-20 all thread through it and used some of these to secure the legs to the top.

As for the bench itself, i just hand mortised the recessed area.

-- An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools