Cameron Builds It: Elbow Grease.

Work on the Stanley table is rolling. Glued up the table top this week. I have done a few larger tables in the past and always used biscuits to join the individual boards for a little added strength and alignment. I decided to try the Domino in lieu of the biscuit joiner for this top.

2 reasons:

First- the top is 1 1/8" quarter-sawn white oak. Super heavy. The Domino adds a little more strength. Maybe its overkill you say??? Well.... maybe. But this table is going to be sturdy. I'm thinking of it as the modern farm table so I want the Stanley's kids, kids, kids to eat at it. (if we still even have to eat in the future. Alex P. Keaton could operate a time machine on banana peels)

Second: just wanted to use the Domino. It worked well. Instantly aligned and no slipping like biscuits tend to do. Also, individual boards remained virtually flush with few exceptions. I was pleased.

Getting a large top flat is always a good time. Lot's of elbow grease. My friend Scott knows all about it.... well... he will. Love you Scotty!

Here are some progress shots: Have I said how good white oak smells? Still loving it.

Trying to get the layout right. A few of the boards had some sapwood on the edges. I wanted to use it to break up the monotony of a large table top but it had to flow. Wound up with two symmetrical "stripes." Super cool. (I say super a ton).

SQUEEZE OUT!!!!!

Filling little cracks/checks/wormholes with epoxy colored with wood dust.

Knocking down any higher spots with the belt sander

Scraping the entire surface with a... well... scraper. I also draw lines with chalk so I know where I have been. I also periodically shoot a straight edge across to make sure everything is getting flat. This part is labor intensive. Would probably be easier with a Stanley #81... but alas... I haven't one.... my thumbs are sore to say the least. Still have to do the underside... ugh...