Serpentine Federal Table

FEDERAL STYLE INLAID TABLE

This is a Federal-style serpentine table that I built while working with Glen Huey and Chuck Bender (two acclaimed industry master craftsmen). The idea was to build a period-style table in five days. We chose to form a table apron using a solid piece of wood rather than laminating thin plies of wood over a form. We could have opted to glue pieces of wood (called “bricking”) and cut the form with a band saw, but we used this technique on the front. After all the parts (except the top) were prepared, we began cutting veneer and glued it to the right, left and center aprons. Next, we machined mortises into the legs and tenons onto the apron ends to be used in the assembly to the legs. They were formed on a jointer which is generally quicker than using the table saw. Then we placed stringing into the legs before the aprons were assembled, it’s made of holly and is 1/16th of an inch square. The leg cuffs were veneered - banding was applied at the ankles. When the table was completed, the banding at the waist was fitted and secured. We applied a light coat of linseed oil and finished with shellac. The wood for the table is sapele (a relative similar to mahogany).

Striking, wouldn’t you say?