Perhaps it's too ambitious for a first project but my husband and I decided to try our hands at the farmhouse table featured on this site. We purchased the lumber and had it cut in-store. When we got it home we realized that the cuts were all off (up to 3/16" depending upon where you measure) and are crooked to boot.
What do we do now? My husband wants to scrap it all and start from scratch. I hate to think of all that money wasted. We own very basic tools -- a circ. saw, jigsaw, a few sanders. We live on a military base and have access to the base woodworking shop which has more tools, including table saws and planes.
I do realize that if we start planing the ends we are going to lose height and length off of the overall dimensions, not to mention all of the recalculating. Bleh.
Jake
Mon, 09/03/2012 - 04:01
Just Change the Dimensions
I would not fret too much. If you have a circular saw with a sharp blade you can re-cut the wood to proper and equal (where needed) dimensions. I use a chop saw and where possible mate the boards up and cut them at the same time insuring they are all exactly the same length. I would say that the legs height is important because too short is not good but too long means you can shorten them. However an inch one way or another is not the end of the world. If this is your first project then go ahead and build it. You will learn valuable lessons just trying to cut the wood, tie them together (with pocket holes if you have a Kreg Jig), and getting the project square. Checking for square after each operation is key to a good final project. Invest in about four clamps as they work as extra and stronger hands. The Kreg quick release clamp is a life-saver. By the way the money is not wasted. Just start a scrap pile and you will be amazed how many projects you can build from your extra wood.
claydowling
Wed, 09/05/2012 - 19:44
Good first project
Tables make good first projects, because they're pretty straight forward but give you experience with lots of basic joinery. At least one textbook uses it as the first project for teaching.
I agree with Jake: make it work with the material you have.
You should also learn from this to make your own cuts. You can do it, and you'll get better results.
witz1987
Sun, 02/02/2014 - 12:29
I would personally butt the
I would personally butt the one end up nicely, then take a circular saw to the other end to make a nice, straight line. I'm sure the legs will be a bit forgiving...just might need to adjust a few other pieces along the way!
Pam the Goatherd
Wed, 02/05/2014 - 13:23
3/16ths of an inch is not all
3/16ths of an inch is not all that big of a deal when it comes to the length and width of your table, so I'd just go ahead and even up the ends of the boards and build with them. You might want to get new lumber for the legs, though, so they are the right height - and cut them yourselves!