The library table (Fig. 196) is a good example of solid and permanent
furniture construction. It represents the main principles of the
mission style--solidity, strength, simplicity, straight lines, mortise
and tenon joints, etc.
To a boy who has worked carefully up to this point it is entirely
possible.
As the top is the only part to be glued up, this should be done first.
Three boards of 7/8-inch quartered oak 10 inches wide, or an equivalent
that will aggregate a trifle over 30 inches, and 4 feet long, should be
jointed and prepared for dowelling. The method of doing this is shown
at _a_, where two jointed pieces are clamped together. The distance
between dowels lengthwise should be measured, and lines squared across
the edges with knife and try square. Two pencil lines, as at _b_,
should be made across the joint. Set the marking gauge at 7/16 inch.
Remove the boards from vise or clamp, and from the faces touched by
pencil lines, gauge lines cutting across the three knife lines on each
edge.
[Illustration: Fig. 196. A mission library table]
Where these lines cross, bore 3/8-inch holes with a dowel bit to the
depth of at least 1 inch. Lay out the other dowelled joint in the same
manner. Saw six pieces of 3/8-inch dowel 2 inches long, and glue ends
of each dowel in the holes prepared in the middle board, as shown at
_c_.
Put a thin layer of glue on the joints with a brush and clamp the three
pieces together. While the glue is hardening, proceed with the frame.
This consists of four legs, four top rails, the lower cross rails, a
shelf, and four wedges.
The sizes are as follows:
Top rails 2 42 × 3 × 7/8
Top rails 2 24 × 3 × 7/8
Cross rails 2 26-1/2 × 3 × 7/8
Shelf 1 44-3/4 × 12 × 3/4 or 7/8
Wedges 4 2-1/2 × 7/8 × 3/4
The construction of the top rails is shown at _d_ in the detail
drawing. The only point calling for special attention is to see that
the tenons are flush with outside of rail, being cut on only three
sides, and the mitre at the end of each. The necessity for this mitre
is shown in the drawing of the top of leg at _e_, where the two tenons
are shown meeting in the blind mortises. The short rails are identical
with those shown at _d_, except in length.
The detailed drawing of the legs is shown at _f_, and to make sure that
the four are uniform, they should be laid out in pairs, the two at one
end together, then the second pair; and finally the two pairs must be
compared to discover any possible inaccuracies. The cutting of the
mortises may be hastened by boring several holes inside the lines from
each side.
[Illustration: Fig. 196. A mission library table (_continued_)]
The drawing at _g_ shows the layout of the lower rails, with tenons at
the ends, and mortises on flat sides to receive the tenons on ends of
the shelf. As in previous cases, these two pieces should be laid out
together.
The most difficult work up to this point is the cutting of the two
blind mortises at the top of each leg to receive the mitred tenons.
This operation could be simplified, by replacing the mortise and tenon
at that point by a dowel joint, but it would no longer be genuine
mission furniture, and a much weaker form of construction.
The drawing of the long shelf explains itself, two tenons being cut at
each end and a rectangular hole cut through each tenon for the wedge.
The tenons are shown with a slight bevel, which is cut with a chisel
when all other work is finished.
Before proceeding further, it will be wise to try and fit all the
joints. Number or letter the two parts of each joint, as it is
finished, to assist in the final assembling. This process of fitting
should take some time, for it cannot be hurried safely. When it is
finished, the way to fasten the top to the frame should be considered.
Several methods are in use, and two are shown at _h_ and _i_. At _h_
a hole is bored at an angle in the rail. As it goes only part way
through, it provides a shoulder for the screw head, and the screw is
driven through a hole drilled for the purpose into the solid top.
If this method is used, at least ten screws would be needed for a table
of this size, three on each side and two on each end.
The method shown at _i_ is probably the better of the two. Blocks of
wood of the shape and size given in the drawing are made and fitted
into a groove ploughed in the rails.
This groove may be ploughed the full length of rail, or cut out for an
inch or two with a chisel. The tongue and groove should fit snugly, and
the block be securely fastened to the top with screws. Two blocks on
each side and one on each end will be sufficient.
A simple method is to fasten top and frame by angle irons 2 inches
long, on the inside.
This question having been decided, take the glued-up top from clamps
and dress down to size. The under side should be trued up enough to
fit neatly over tops of legs and rails, and the upper side should be
planed, scraped, and sand-papered.
The final assembling should be done in this order:
Assemble the two ends separately. Each end consists of two legs, a top
and a bottom rail. The mortise and tenon joints should be glued, and
a clamp used at top and bottom. Test for squareness. When dry, remove
clamps, insert shelf tenons and those of top rails in their mortises,
and clamp lengthwise. Drive a wire brad through each tenon, from the
side of leg least conspicuous, and set with nail punch.
Put on the top, and level bottom of legs where necessary. Remove all
traces of glue, and fill brad holes with putty, coloured same as stain
to be used.
Place wedges in mortises provided, and fasten each one with a small
brad driven through the side of shelf tenons. Stain and polish.