Round Mahogany Pedestal Table with Drawer

Looks like you had a lot of fun. Make any money on it? Thought of a production line to recover jig making costs? I like the turned stem's simple lines.

Really nice work. I like your bending form plan; simple and sturdy.

Thanks Scott, it worked out nicely to cut the circle with a 3/4" router bit and then the offcut of that provided the other half of the form spaced exactly 3/4" for the laminated apron. I was able to get all of it out of one sheet of mdf.

Steve, definitely would have been more profitable if I could have made a bunch at the same time!

Beautiful work. Do you have an online gallery?

I just made an apron for a 46" oak table. My process was somewhat simpler. I drew a circle on a piece of MDF, screwed some blocks (long bases) on the line evry 5-6", bent 1 pc. of <1/4" oak, some wiggle ply and another pc. of 1/4"oak. clamped w/ a good bock on the inside. Came out great. For a full circle I laminate > full circle and just tuck the overlap on the inside. when you de-clamp it will spring open and you can trim and join the ends since you've cut it long. That way, you get a smooth curve even on the end/joint. Much faster than making a form which I used to.

Excellent work. How much open time did you have on your glue?

Doug, sounds interesting. My first thought is that the form wouldn't be strong enough to withstand the clamping pressure since it is only screwed at one end, the blocks would move with the clamps. But it sounds like it works for you. It definitely saves time in making the whole form. I'll have to try it next time.

Don, I use regular yellow titebond glue in most of my laminations. I coat both sides of each piece and work quickly, but have 10 minutes or so. I know some guys use epoxy or other glues to prevent wood "creep", but I have never had a problem and would hate to try this with epoxy. Also the apron is well constrained with screws (ovalized holes to allow top and bottom wood movement, with movement directed towards the back so the drawer front stays lined up).

Chris, I make my blocks long so I can put a couple of screws in, plus, the greater length gives the block more leverage. Sometimes I will clamp between blocking if I have to close a gap in the lamination. I've been bending for 30 yrs and this is the fastest method I've tried yet. Keep up the good work.

Chris, Glad to see your animals are as spoiled as ours- nice feeding station! Table is nice too!

Nice table, i use a simpler way of doing it. i use a router to make a groove whatever distance inyou want from the edge the put in either veneered flxi ply or bendi mdf just push in to the grove and build up with 2 or more layers for a solid rim.