Cricket Table

[Prashun Patel]

Thought I'd share my poor-man's version of a Red oak Cricket Table in a recent issue of FWW.

Their design called for M&T joints, and the top had drop leaves such that you could make the top triangular or circular by rotating it.

My version uses pocket screw joinery and a solid top.

I finished it in Watco Danish Oil (Dk Walnut) and amber shellac (zinsser bullseye) and finally, minwax dark pastewax.

The legs are also 3/4" laminated. I purposely did that for contrasting grain patterns in the legs.

Critiques welcome; i'm learning.

Couple of notes:
- Even though the top is centered on the base, from many angles, the top looks like it's off-center. MY wife swears it's not centered.
- Pocket hole joinery is so great for glueing the top. So convenient.
- Securing the apron/stretchers to the legs so you can p-screw them is tricky and has to be done by hand unless you have a right angle drill. If anyone has a good way to pocketscrew in tight quarters, please advise.
- I find shellac to be quite easy to apply using a foam brush, as long as it's thinned to 2# or thinner in Isopropyl alc (as opposed to ethanol). Takes more coats, but stays wet seconds longer which allows you to tip off a little.

[Greg Hines, MD]

Thought I'd share my poor-man's version of a Red oak Cricket Table in a recent issue of FWW.

Their design called for M&T joints, and the top had drop leaves such that you could make the top triangular or circular by rotating it.

My version uses pocket screw joinery and a solid top.

I finished it in Watco Danish Oil (Dk Walnut) and amber shellac (zinsser bullseye) and finally, minwax dark pastewax.

The legs are also 3/4" laminated. I purposely did that for contrasting grain patterns in the legs.

Critiques welcome; i'm learning.

Couple of notes:
- Even though the top is centered on the base, from many angles, the top looks like it's off-center. MY wife swears it's not centered.
- Pocket hole joinery is so great for glueing the top. So convenient.
- Securing the apron/stretchers to the legs so you can p-screw them is tricky and has to be done by hand unless you have a right angle drill. If anyone has a good way to pocketscrew in tight quarters, please advise.
- I find shellac to be quite easy to apply using a foam brush, as long as it's thinned to 2# or thinner in Isopropyl alc (as opposed to ethanol). Takes more coats, but stays wet seconds longer which allows you to tip off a little.

Unfortunately, any triangular set of legs on a round top always looks off center, even when it isn't. I think your table looks great. As to your problem screwing the pocket screws, one of the various types of "around the corner" screwing attachments would help. Mine is composed of a spring type mechanism that allows you to drive around a corner.

Doc

[John Thompson]

Table looks good Shawn. Keep up the good work..

Sarge..

[Joe Petersen]

What in the world is a Cricket table?
Beautiful grain match on the shelf.

[Prashun Patel]

I have no idea what a cricket table is. That's what FWW called it. Me, I call it a side table.

[J. Z. Guest]

Looks great Shawn. I just built a deck table with pocket screw joinery, and was quite happy with the speed at which I could put it together.

I just barely had room to drive the pocket screws holding the apron frame together. If I had to use my full size cordless drill, I wouldn't have been able to do it. I used a short square drive bit in my little Milwaukee driver. Another method would be to just buy a square drive screwdriver. (no motor)

In closer quarters projects like that in the future, I'll probably just use Dowelmax.

[Prashun Patel]

In closer quarters projects like that in the future, I'll probably just use Dowelmax.

I thought about using a dowling jig, but the legs aren't 90 deg, so the faces were hard to clamp my jig to.

[Charles Seehuetter Panama City]

I used a short square drive bit in my little Milwaukee driver. Another method would be to just buy a square drive screwdriver. (no motor)

A 1/4" ratchet and socket with the bit in it works too.

[Kevin Brenton]

I have no idea what a cricket table is. That's what FWW called it. Me, I call it a side table.

It's a table that you put your drinks on while watching Cricket of course.

Nice work too.

Kev.