August 6, 2006

Alright, here's the deal. The frame that I had constructed was twisting like DNA, in a double helix. I was trying to figure out what was causing it, whether it was something I had done in the cutting or fitting, or otherwise. I eventually discovered that it was due to some twist in the boards I was using for the rails. I discovered this to be problem on both sets of rails I had.

My solution was to scrap this wood (I'll keep it around for future jig building) and try to find some better wood that wouldn't warp on me the second I bring it home. This time I was also going to try and keep the rails in one long 12' section, so I wouldn't have to attach two six feet sections together. It took me a little while to find a truck to use to go get the lumber, but yesterday it finally came together.

I went to home depot for simplicity sake, but all the 2x6's they had were green wood, sure to warp and twist as it dried out in my garage. I did find some redwood 2x6's though that looked nice and straight and felt pretty dry. They were a bit more expensive for obvious reasons and I ended up dropping about $60 on the wood for the table top frame. I also got a sheet of white melamine covered particle board to use as the table top.

Today, I was a man on a mission. I cut all the frame cross-peices to size, laid out the frame, drilled all the pilot holes, got all the screws in, rinsed and repeated for the legs, and attached all the lag bolts that I'm using as leveling adjusters to the bottom of the legs.

Learning from all the frustrations I had trying to get the twisted wood together, everything pretty much went to plan today. The result is the frame to my 12 ft. table is all set up and ready to be leveled. I imagine I will spend a good amount of time getting the table top flat and level, but this was a good start and I'm really satisfied with what I got done today.

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