French Louis XV Console Table and Rococo Mirror

Happy to tell you this is the last post about the console table, because last week I finished the crest between the legs and the last job was gluing on the pink/peach marble top. Together with the mirror they make a lovely pair. 

And here's a little video:

I loved the challenge of designing and building this table but now it's finished there's no need for me to hang on to these pieces any longer. That means the table and mirror are up for sale and ready for a new owner. If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact me for more details. 

ps. right click on any picture to open it in a new page and you can view it in more detail.

Cutting corners? Yes!

Between work, other obligations and the loveliest summer weather we've been having here in Europe, i found some time to continue carving on the console table.

I focused on the legs, from the feet up. Referring constantly to photo's of the original I started carving the scrolled feet that lead into embracing foliage at the bottom. Then up to more foliage and pierced scrolls to add airiness to the somewhat heavier 'thighs'. Hmm, makes them look sexy, don't you think?  ;-)

I reached the stage where i could not continue carving on the feet because i reached the joint area, where they would meet with the aprons. Above you can see them test jointed with the aid of some double sided tape attached to a faux table top to check and guide me to create the shapes i'm looking for. And to tell me it was time for the next step.

 Last night i kept wondering if there was anything else i could work on or needed to do before assembly. But like so often when you venture onto new roads you've never been before, you should just be brave and go for it (you see Hellie, you're not alone :)) Although I did add a recess at the top inside of the aprons and legs before assembly. I was worried the two leg joints could be too flimsy so for added strength i'd decided on an extra wooden top underneath the marble. That will also add the benefit of giving the marble much more surface to attach onto later on.

 Starting with the front apron the legs were glued into place so i could now work on the inside of the joint area's. On the left before, and on the right after cutting the corner smooth. Then it was the same for the side aprons after they were glued on and dried.

I do like the shape of the joints on the inside, now that's done. Almost as if it's made of one single piece of wood. Just what i aimed for :)  I was also impressed how sturdy it actually is at this stage, because i needed to work on the inside of the joints before the wooden top can be added. That's an area you simply cannot reach after that's mounted.



 The outside shape has been merged together as well as you can see above. So the next step will be carving those :) I'm having a lot of fun at this stage again, because this table construction and the whole sequence of it all takes a lot of thinking through before proceeding. But most of all it's very gratifying to see it come together, just like i had in mind :)))

That's what i wanted to share with you all. Thanks for reading all the way down. I hope you have fun following this challenging build. 

treat them feet, part 6

If you've been following the progress on the console table, you might have read i would focus carving on the connecting sections of the aprons with the legs. Instead i've started with the feet :) Seems to make more sense... Ignore the plump toes, they will turn into stiletto heels later.

Have a great Sunday,

Stumbled but up on its feet

Update on the console table, part 5.

 I had carved as much as i thought was possible on the aprons, so the other day the time had come to cut the tenons. Rule number one; measure twice and cut once :) This rule has become a rock solid habit with me, so... so far so good. But rule number two is; don't get distracted. 

And here's where i stumbled :/

I  was cutting away both sides, raising the table saw with each passing till I was at the final cut. I'd finished one side of the front apron and was about to proceed to flip the piece over and do the other side. The very last cut! And that's when i got distracted. My mind was following a fascinating interview on the radio and without realizing it I had left the apron lying upside down... wrong side up...

Since the are not centered within the stock my quick and very last pass made me see the tenon fly from the table saw... oooh horror! What had i'd done!? Where was my brain...!?

I felt só stupid! But i soon set to fix this blunder. No time to dwell! I made a mortise to take a replacement tenon. I might have overdone it by giving that one a shoulder, but hey, that's me. :) 

Pfff... stupid action but it turned out all right. The tenons touch each other within the leg mortise so they got a 45º at the end as you can see above.

I've cut the side tenons as well and it all fits well.

I've made a jig of the exact circumference the marble top minus 2 mm and taped the table to it with double sided tape.

That will tell me the shape the top of the legs and the aprons need to have to fluidly merge into each other. If you look close you can see the centre of the front apron is perfect in line with the jig already, but the legs still extend beyond it. That will be the next step; carving and shaping the top, before descending to the legs. 

So all in all... stumbled, but on it its feet :)

So my dear miniature friends, take my misfortune as a valuable lessen; don't get distracted if you can :( And as for me...? Well, my guess is next time I'll put on some nice Art Deco 1920's music on, instead of interesting talk radio :)))

whittling away

The bone chest was a wonderful intermezzo. But now i'm back at the console table. This Sunday i've spend some time on it, and now it's almost at the stage of cutting the tenons. Then i'll be able to attach the aprons to the (still rough) legs. Exciting prospect! Because that will prove if my drawings and measurements were right. And it will give me a better vision of what it's going look like, and how to proceed next.

have a great day!

Update on the console table

Yesterday I've cut out the curtains. I decided not to cut the tennons but to try and carve away as much as I can, before I'd do that. The side curtains have the same design as the front (partially) so I'm working on all sides simultaneously. I'm having detailed photographs of the original table at hand to help and guide me.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy this special Sunday,

false start

When i logged into blogger to write a post there were loads of new postings. So much it's hard to respond to each one, but wow, what a productivity! I've been busy too, unfortunately with loads of other things but in between i did manege to find a few hours to work on the console table.

The other day I had a better look at the joint area of the feet and wasn't pleased with it at all. I've learned a long time ago that if i want to create a solid piece there's no room for compromising, especially during this part of the build. If i let errors occur at this stage already, they will only get bigger as the build progresses. So I've increased my accuracy in cutting and the angles, corners and cuts improved significantly. It turned out way better and i was happy to continue with the mortises.

But what size should they get? And building this table i have no clue which procedure to follow. Should i make the legs joints first and then the curtains?? I decided to make them at the same time so i can correct anything if the matter arises.

I took measurements and drawings from the top view to get the shape of the curtains. They will follow the circumference of the table top, but set back slightly. I've cut and sanded them to shape, and decided to keep them relatively thick (7mm) as the carving will be very 3 dimensional. They still have stock on either side so i can use that as guide for cutting on the table saw. The thickness gave me the size of the tenons and therefor the mortises. I can also use the thickness at the top of the curtains to route out a recess on the inside. That can then hold a thin wooden table top (under the marble) that will add strength to the table.

I wondered if it was wise to cut the joint area's first and then carve, or the other way round? The legs need to follow in the curve of the curtains so joining them is a great aid when carving. At the same time the tenons are fragile if i still have to carve.  I'm not sure, i think i will do both at the same time.

So i've cut as much tenon joints as i can without loosing the end of the stock. They are perfect to hold onto the pieces while handling them.

I've transfered the design on them and the next stage will be sawing them out. Hopefully this weekend?

Enjoy your weekend too!

something on the side

Here's my latest project: a console table from the Louis the XV period. 

I know... it's quite a challenge... but it has a few features i've been wanting to have a go at. Like the pierced aprons, legs and stretcher. And it has a marble top, similarly shaped to one i've in stock and that i wanted to build something for, for quite some time. And on top of that, it matches the latest mirror frame i've made at Guild School. That turned out so pretty i figured it would be neat if it could hang above a matching table. If I can pull it off they'll make a great pair. For that i had to translate RL measurements and pictures to match the size of the marble top i had lying round. It's more narrow than the original and that alters the proportions, so it took a bit of sketching. 

When happy i could cut wood stock and drawn out templates. The drawing above shows the table viewed from the front, side and top. I've decided to put the legs at 45 º to the top, thus letting them come under the top in such a way the shield size and space between the legs will match the original proportions best. Because of the angle I had to translate the 45º view on the legs you see above, to a 90º front view to make a correct template. When done i noticed a challenge. They are set at 45º to the top, but the 'drop', or their own angle to the floor, is roughly 60º. If i would use the traditional way of cutting out cabriole legs (ie use square stock and just draw this 90º view on 2 sides and cut) it would mean a lot of waist and the grain would not run along the leg the most optimum way. So i cut stock to 60º at the top and then run it across my table saw with the miter gauge set at 45º. Passing it twice at opposite directions created the joint area at the right angles. Hope you still follow? I find it rather difficult to explain, hope the pictures somewhat clarify my misty words.

Here's the result, a square joint section at 60º to the stock. Now i could draw out the legs using a template. But before cutting that out, it was time to cut the mortises while stock was still 'square'. But how to hold it under my drill press so i could drill them out??? 

Here's what i've done. I've build a 45º jig. Why I never build one before still riddles me because these things can be so useful! Anyway, I guess this table had to be the reason to make it :) 

Very useful indeed because by drawing out the 60º on it, I could align the stock.

And then... it was all in line to cut mortises.

When time permits i'll continue. Still... a long way from home, but it's a start. 

The aprons or sides of the table will be much easier, i guess :) 

Have a wonderful day,