Splay-Leg Table

This small table is the perfect, elegant addition to any room and can easily be built in a weekend.

- Logan Wittmer

There's something I love about a clean, simple design. I think that's why I've fallen in love with the Shaker style, and why my house is filling up with Shaker furniture. When contemplating what design elements I wanted to incorporate into this table, I knew I wanted to use basic, traditional joinery. But when sketching out a simple Shaker table, I wanted something... more. The Shaker design isn't really what demanded more. In fact, the Shaker soul is the opposite of that mentality; less is more. Instead, I wanted more simply from a woodworking standpoint. My more ended up coming in at 20. A 2° splay to the legs to be precise. It's enough that it drastically changes the look of the table, and it adds just enough complexity that you'll have to pay attention, so you don't cut a part wrong (ask me how I know that). Of course, I needed to make a pile of plane shaving during this build, but don't let my processes here bind you.

Creating the Top

I'm going to admit something before we get started. And it's a little embarrassing. I've run out of air-dried walnut. There, it's out in the open. I never thought that day would come. Luckily, I just had a big load of 'nut come out of the kiln. However, I will tell you that kiln-dried just simply does not work as easily as air-dried. If you're planning on tackling this build (or any others for that matter) with hand tools, do yourself a favor and get air-dried stock. The kiln crystallizes the lignin within the wood fibers, and the result is slightly more... crunchy... material.