Tusk tenon side table

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Saw this in a recent copy of Woodsmith and Grandson had just purchased and moved into his first home, a townhouse in Atlanta.  
Thus a house warming gift for him, also made a second for Granddaughter, it left the shop the  day it was done, no pictures of it.  The two tables were identical.
The design is supposedly Arts and Crafts era with Roycroft Influence.   I just liked the challenge of the Tusk Tenons and the square miters in the uprights and Tusk Tenons.   The entire table is basically held together with the wedges.
Made from Cherry.   Top is 5/4 stock 34 inches wide by 16 inches deep.   Shelves are 3/4 inch thick, 8/1/2 inch wide with a 3/8 inch back edge to keep items from being pushed off.   The Tusk Tenons are 2 inches long.   Stands 32 inches tall.
The legs comprised of 2 uprights mortised into the feet and top apron.   3 screws hold the top to the apron. 
Used a drill press mounted mortiser to cut all the mortises, cleaned and tapered tusk tenons  with hand held chisel.   The outer edge of the mortise in the tusk tenon is tapered to fit the taper of the wedge.   Cut the leg tenons on the tablesaw, the tusk tenons on the bandsaw.  16 square cornered miters that show in each table, 4 in the apron and 4 in the feet
Wedges are 3/8 inches thick by 3/4 inches wide and 3 inches long.
Finished with poly, 4 coats buffed and waxed.    
By taking the screw out holding the top on, then removing the wedges the table breaks down to one top 2 uprights and 2 shelves with 8 wedges.   Easy transport.    

Ron

11 Comments

Beautiful! Very special gifts. The cherry looks great with the design.
Love it. I've always liked this design (often referred to as "Little Journeys Bookcase"). Your rendition is perfect. I've always wanted to build one of these,  just never got around to it. Great job. It looks fantastic in Cherry. Thanks for the write-up and pics. Bravo...
Excellent choice for a house warming gift Ron, build looks smooth as glass. I like the idea of the tenons, does indeed make for an easy to pack assembly and sets up quick 'n' sturdy.
well done ron gonna make them very happy having something hand made from grandpa. funny ive seen these types of tenons and wedges used many times but never heard the term, tusk tenon before. 

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

I’ve always liked that design. Nicely done. 

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Thanks for the comments.   Term Tusk Tenon was in the article on the side table, Shopsmith.    I too had never heard that term.    

Ron

Had to lookup the term tusk tenon.    Also called keyed tenon and wedged tenon.    Used in Viking age even.    Used on portable pieces like an old German workbench and in heavy beamed construction.   

Ron

Ron that is one nice table. I like the design. Tusks, tenons and all!  Beautiful job!!
Love the tables finish and design especially the tusk tenons. Might use them on my next project. Great job. 

James McIntyre

Nice looking tables Ron, well done. The Cherry warms a house quite well. :-)
Great looking table Ron, nice and tight fit on all components. The wedges add a great deal of beauty to this table.