So, I’m starting on a tavern table project, and thought I’d start a thread about for those that might like to follow along or maybe even are interested in building a similar table.
For generations, painters have copied past masterworks as an exercise to gain insights into the master’s techniques. While looking alone can tell you some things you might use in your own paintings, actually trying to copy a work teaches a different set of things about process and how to achieve certain effects, for example. See http://www.geraldking.com/Copying.htm
I have so little time for woodworking that I mostly like to follow my own nose and make my own visions rather than reproduce anything. I have made a good number of projects that are based on a well-established form – a Windsor stool, a Shaker cabinet, or whatever. But I’ve never sought to closely copy a particular piece.
So this tavern table project is a first for me. I want to reproduce this circa 1720 example as closely as possible. It hits on all cylinders for me – I’d like to own the original, but as I never will, the next best thing is to try to make one for myself that hopefully will successfully hit the key notes that make it appealing to me. I like the turnings. I like all the proportions. I like the splay in both directions. I like the distressed paint bottom and aged maple top.
Also, as I alluded to when I started, I have no doubt that in endeavoring to reproduce this masterwork, I will learn a lot of very valuable lessons. I’ve only just begun, but so far I’m a happy apprentice sitting at the knee of an 18th Century guru taking notes and nodding appreciatively.
So this table (Fine Point of Furniture – Good, Better, Best at page 257) is just shy of 25 inches tall. The oval top is around 20” x 30”.
I began by trying to turn the legs. Working from some basic overall measurements and a single small photo is a real challenge. You can see the basic elements of the legs pretty well in the photo, but the transitions and details are tough to judge with certainty – at least for me. And how big a blank, and how big each element, and so forth. So get ready to waste a few sticks trying to figure it out.
After trying a few other sizes, I decided one and three-quarter inch sticks was the right size to my eye. And after trying some different transitions, details, and spacing, I came up with a version that satisfied me. Then to make 3 more that roughly match! One has to decide how tight-a$$ed you want to be about the perfection of matches. I think one of the things I like about the original is that the turnings are similar, but not perfect like a machine (compare the bulbs of the long vases, for example). So I wanted to strike that balance Richard Raffan described as perfect enough to not look amateurish, but imperfect enough to have some soul and the life that comes from hand work. I didn’t use any calipers, just trusted myeye. Marking the ends and the thinnest spot/transitions with a pencil was enough of a guide to arrive at these.
So these are far from perfect in being perfect duplicates,but I’m satisfied. This weekend I hope to do some mortises and tackle the apron and stretchers on the splay. Thanks for reading, And I’m glad to answer any questions. More to come.