Early Access Video: The Expanding Table
Added 2021-11-06 11:00:03 +0000 UTCFriends:
This week, I was able to borrow a very unusual 19thCentury table. It’s a fantastic drop-leaf with an incredible hidden sliding mechanism that lets it expand to nearly 10 feet long!
On top of all that, it’s also a brilliant example of industrialization creeping into hand-made furniture. While most of the table is handwork, a few elements were probably made on early machines. The piece is a fascinating blend of old and new and I’ve got a full tour of every detail.
On another note, I know some people have had a hard time getting onto the forum this week. We’re really sorry about that and working hard to get it fixed right away. A few months ago, the forum was migrated to forum.woodworkforhumans.com . Discourse set up some automatic redirects for the old address, but they might have expired. You may have to update some bookmarks for the new address.
If you have any questions or technical problems with the forum, please email Nic (nic@woodworkforhumans.com) He handles all the backend for that and can help you with login problems and other issues.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
Now that's interesting!
Rex Krueger
2021-11-14 19:00:57 +0000 UTCYou're right. Any mechanical hold would have helped!
Rex Krueger
2021-11-14 19:00:38 +0000 UTCYou can see me use it in my last video. Still going strong!
Rex Krueger
2021-11-14 18:59:03 +0000 UTCThanks for this video, Rex. Recently, while cleaning out my parent’s house, I disassembled the old kitchen table that I believe they had before I was born 52+ years ago. I found the same rail system you show on this table, except it doesn’t stretch that far. I was going to salvage the wood from the table for my wood inventory, but it was severely damaged by water and mold. However, I took the rails off-they too, like yours, were made of oak-and kept them for my scrap pile.
Sean O'Neill
2021-11-11 14:34:31 +0000 UTCDoes anybody have an update on the Spear & Jackson tenon saw? Don't mind doing the work if it is worth my time Thanks
Ralph Bridgers
2021-11-09 21:36:04 +0000 UTCWe have an expandable table something like this in our dining room, but it's just a straight table that expands to take three or four expansion leaves. It was my mom's table, but we never use it.
Howard Tuckey
2021-11-07 17:23:35 +0000 UTCI certainly look forward to seeing that next video, and for any plans that you may conjure up. Wow! Can you imagine the reaction when that certain someone takes delivery of such a table. Totally cool Rex.
Col Rodrick
2021-11-07 04:12:59 +0000 UTCI recently did a variation on the draw bore, my version of new and old. I simply used a 16 gauge nail as my pin to secure mortise and tenon legs for some childrens desks. Quick, simple, and sturdy. Even that would have helped here.
Michael Coolidge
2021-11-07 02:28:16 +0000 UTCLooking forward to the hinge video. Love these Furniture Forensics episodes especially when you pick a particular item and recreate it in another video. Thank you Rex.
Matt Evans-Koch
2021-11-07 00:21:12 +0000 UTCThose sliders may have been made in Watertown, WI. http://www.watertownhistory.org/articles/watertowntableslide.htm
kevinbstein09
2021-11-06 23:22:00 +0000 UTCFascinating. Love the details! History, woodworking, mystery, furniture design, and continuous improvement. Keep up the great work.
Robert Bullock
2021-11-06 22:04:35 +0000 UTCGreat video. Were all the extra leaves lost at some point in the past? Thanks
John Morrison
2021-11-06 17:20:15 +0000 UTCRex, your pragmatic approach to woodworking is exactly how I think. For instance those sliding rails do something that’s impossible using strictly traditional methods. Even using some machined sections I’m amazed that after more than a hundred years that there isn’t visible sag to that table.
Richard C von Brecht
2021-11-06 16:07:56 +0000 UTCRe: the number of leaves—if the edges are numbered 1 and 7, is it possible the existing top pieces *are* 1 and 7, meaning 5 leaves about 12" each? Or is it more likely it's the joints being numbered, giving 6 leaves about 10" each? (the latter being what I believe you suggested in the video)
Joel D Canfield
2021-11-06 15:36:04 +0000 UTCVery interesting table and look forward to that knuckle joint! I was thinking about those recently in conjunction with a lid for a box ! Well timed!
Gerald Eddy
2021-11-06 15:35:03 +0000 UTCI agree on loving these forensic videos! Rex, you should see if Roy will connect you to PBS. Maybe you can do a “ride along” with Antiques Road Show and do some woodworking forensics as a spin off. Find an interesting bit of joinery, then demonstrate it.
Peter Schmiedeskamp
2021-11-06 15:15:41 +0000 UTCExcellent! I love your videos on the furniture forensics! I've seen that knuckle joint before. Roy Underhill did an episode on The Woodwright's Shop where he built Roubo's folding book stand. Fascinating joint, and of course, Roy made it easy. Thanks again Rex!
Roger A Tubbs
2021-11-06 15:04:00 +0000 UTCThat knuckle joint is fascinating. I look forward to that video. Thanks Rex for another informative video.
John Hiemstra
2021-11-06 14:11:27 +0000 UTCI also love these types of videos They are very interesting and make woodwork a lot less daunting
John Riddell
2021-11-06 13:30:12 +0000 UTCWell done. I enjoy your historical context, technical breakdown, and how you delve into the mindset of the maker.
Kevin S Thomas
2021-11-06 13:21:59 +0000 UTCGreat video. It's true that we're almost always in some kind of transition of one sort or another and that piece shows it. Thanks Rex.
Sean McGown
2021-11-06 12:33:23 +0000 UTCI see evidence of a missing fifth leg which would have been attached to the center slide of the expansion mechanism. This would not only have supported the center of the table when the leaves were being used but also have relieved some of the stress on the other leg joints where they are separating.
Fred Gosbee
2021-11-06 11:46:44 +0000 UTCA table for the 19th century extreme beer pong enthusiast
Chris Franklyn
2021-11-06 11:40:48 +0000 UTCI love these forensic videos! Did I notice correctly that the 4 legs are not all identical? Your comments on incorporating innovation into traditional furniture really resonate with me. I posted a bit of a philosophical rant on the topic on the forum recently, essentially saying that we don't have to be slaves to someone else's design or methods. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with faithfully duplicating something, especially when one is starting out and building skills. By the same token there is nothing wrong with expressing your individuality or incorporating different materials, techniques and, dare I say it, power tools.
Brian Taylor
2021-11-06 11:35:27 +0000 UTC
