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Fig. 2: Post:Modern Table Top, 52 in. dia. Top, pedestal and base are joined with Spline Bullnose edge, basswoodO/S-in.-dia. threaded rod, nuts and washers.veneered with zebrawoodT077rJ.====--==ti: TPedestal ribsVeneeredcutoutTypical edge, 60°29Turnedsphere,purpleheartBlocking,1% in. by 2% in.Bun feet, purpleheartThe pedestal of the 'Post:Modern Table'initiates an architectural style while supportingthe top. Satinwood veneer wedgesradiate from the center of the top. Thebullnose edge is cross· banded withzebrawood veneer.of facets. Each top begins as a 4-ft. square of %-in. particleboarq,on which I locate the center with diagonal lines and draw a 4-ft.-dia.circle. To cut the facets, I use a Masonite template guide based onthe number of facets desired. As an example, I'll describe how tocut d1e 24 facets on d1e Post:Modern Table. I lay out three radii atISO intervals and draw d1e chords between them at the edge of thecircle. From this layout, I make a wedge of Y4-in. Masonite thatcovers the three radial segments. Then, I glue and nail three smallstrips to the wedge to serve as guides for the circular saw whencutting the facets. I lay one edge of the template on one of the radii,locate the point of the wedge at the center of the circle and screwthe wedge to the top. I saw each facet with the circular saw baserunning against one of the little guide strips. Then, I unscrew thewedge and rotate it around the circle, overlapping one sawed facetand sawing two new ones each time I move it. Overlapping the cutsin this way will produce uniform facets. Any slight discrepancy canbe eliminated when fitting d1e veneer and edging for the last facet.Figure I on the facing page illustrates how I overcome the problemof veneering a 4-ft.-dia. tabletop without a veneer press. I divided1e top veneer into wedge-shape sections and glue down two orthree sections at a time, clamping d1em under a jig that covers Ys thof the top. 1 span the triangular jig with 2x4s and clamp their endsto evenly distribute the pressure. Corresponding 2x4s running beneaththe tabletop keep the substrate flat. Great pressure is notrequired, as long as the veneer is pressed flat while the aliphaticresin glue cures. 1 hold the veneer in place on the substrate withmasking tape and put waxed paper between the veneer and the jigto keep d1e parts from sticking. I minimize glue squeeze-out byspreading a thin coat only on the substrate. Minor squeeze-out canbe trimmed with a utility knife or carefully popped off with a chisel.When I've glued down enough sections to cover 90° of d1e circle, Iuse a square and straightedge to trim the last wedge square. I repeatthis at each 90° interval to eliminate any accumulated error asI go around the circle. I always veneer the underside of the tableright after the top and apply finish to bod1 sides to prevent warping.Building the Post:Modern Table -The pedestal of the Post:Modern Table is a hollow, hexagonal column of particleboard, reinforcedwith three internal plywood ribs (see figure 2 above).The veneered cutouts in this pedestal are an example of theunique construction problems some of my designs present. Inotched for the cutouts in the ribs and d1e sides before assemblyand made the final cut at the top of each cutout with a hand circularsaw after the hexagon was glued up. However, this requiredcareful planning. In addition, there were some dangerous stopcuts on the tablesaw where 1 had to hold d1e side piece tightly onthe saw table as I raised d1e angled blade up through the piece. InhindSight, it occurred to me that I could have assembled the pedestalas a complete hexagon and then made d1e cut uts with thecircular saw. This is a more direct method, akin to carving, andeliminates a potentially dangerous tablesaw operation.Figure 2 shows the finished pedestal and its parts. I cut out d1reeidentical ribs, using the adjustable polygon jig, and drill a I-in.-dia.hole in me center of each rib for d1e all-d1read rod that joins d1etop, pedestal and base. The pedestal's six sides are ripped to finalwidm with the tablesaw blade tilted to leave a 60° bevel on d1eedges (so they'll form a hexagon when assembled). If I were tobuild this pedestal again, instead of prenotching d1e ribs and sides,Drawings: Kmhleen CreslOn; photos: Jim W:lllace, except where notedJanuary/February 1989 65