When making the hall tree as shown in the accompanying illustration use
quarter-sawed oak if possible, as this wood is the most suitable for
finishing in the different mission stains. This is a very useful and
attractive piece of mission furniture and is also very easy to
construct. The stock can be purchased ready cut to length, mill-planed
and sandpapered on four sides as given in the following list:
1 post, 2 by 2 by 59 in.
4 posts, 2 by 2 by 10 in.
8 braces, 7/8 by 2 by 7-1/2 in.
4 arms, 7/8 by 2 by 5-3/4 in.
[Illustration: Detail and Finished View of Hall Tree]
First square up all the posts and bevel them at the tops as shown. Then
cut the mortises making them 1/2 in. wide and 7/8 in. deep. Cut the
tenons on the braces to fit these mortises. Be careful to get the
distance between the shoulders of the braces all of the same length. A
good way to do this is to place them all side by side on a flat surface
with the ends square and lay them all out at once. The top arms can be
made in the same manner. The tenons should fit good and tight in all the
posts.
The parts can now be glued and clamped together. When they are dry,
scrape all the surplus glue from about the joints and go over the whole
with fine sandpaper, removing all rough spots. Apply the finish you like
best or the one that will match your other furniture. Purchase a few
hooks at a hardware store and fasten in the upper arms as shown, and the
hall tree is complete.