Queen Anne Handkerchief Table

[Chuck Hamman]

I hope no one minds if I take the opportunity to showoff my latest project; another item off my "One day I'm going to build that" list. It's my version of Eugene Landon's Queen Anne handkerchief table (FWW, May/June 1985). I fell in love with this table years ago and finally got around to building it. It is more of a project than it first appears, especially for someone of only average skills.
There are a number of personal firsts here:
First serious project using cherry wood; first attempt at making cabriole legs; first time using HOT hide glue (maybe the last); and first time since 8th grade shop class for using shellac as a finish - I must have been living under a rock all these years.
I apologize for the quality of the photographs. The lighting isn't very good. Someday I'll learn how to do a better job with the photos.
I hope you enjoy it.
-Chuck

[Howie French]

Chuck, great table, you did a really nice job on the legs.
I like this piece alot.

Howie

[David Tiell]

Very nice piece of work there!!

[Al Killian]

Chuck, That table turned out great. from the looks it is hard to tell that y`ou have limited skills.

[Jim Becker]

Wow...very, very nice table and so many great "firsts" you list!

[Ron Brese]

That table was not made by someone with average skills. Isn't shellac great, especially on a period piece.

Ron Brese

[Mark Stutz]

Beautiful piece. Sure hope my first attempt at cabriole legs turn out even half that nice!

[Chuck Hamman]

Thanks guys for all the kind words. Oh I know it looks like a masterpiece,;) but I assure you there is plenty of room for improvement. Seriously though, it was a fun project and more challenging than I anticipated. Some areas used up more than one test piece, and that knuckle joint...well...I almost lost my religion over that one.

Yes Ron, shellac is a great finish; very forgiving and easy to apply. The fast drying aspect is a real benefit when working in a little, dirty, half-garage shop like mine. I have always been a varnish or oil guy but I think I've found my new finish-of-choice.

Thanks again,
-Chuck

[Pam Niedermayer]

Great stuff, Chuck, beautiful.

Pam

[Larry Rose]

Beautiful work Chuck. That one is on my "build it someday" list too. When I get around to it , I hope mine turn out as good as yours.

[Dave Anderson NH]

Beautifully done Chuck. If you look back a couple of months you'll see the one I did out of tiger maple. It is indeed a challenging piece because of the angled mortise and tenon joints, the knuckle joint, and the finicky work on the corners of the top. You carried it out wonderfully.

[Carl Eyman]

Dave Anderson and I were among those at Williamsburg's "Working Wood in the Eighteenth Century" a few years ago when Mack Headley, no less, was making a knuckle joint and had to do it over.

Why the last time on hide glue?

BTW beautiful piece.

[Chuck Hamman]

I am very flattered by all the nice responses. You are helping to validate all my study and practice over the last couple of years.

Dave, I do remember your tiger maple table; It's beautiful. I think you were finishing yours about the time I was starting mine.

Carl, That is indeed good company. I don't think I'm quite ready for Mr. Headly and his crew just yet. Maybe in another project or two. :)

The problem I had with the hide glue was mostly of my own doing. I was gluing up the peices for the top and leaf and in spite of all I had read about using hide glue, I wasn't very well prepared for how quickly it can set up. And I was working in a cold, unheated shop to boot. Rob Millard has already reminded me about mixing in a dash of urea to extend the open time. This is and area that still needs some practice and experimentation.

Thanks again everyone,
-Chuck

[Charles McKinley]

Very Nice Chuck!

You did an excellent job.

[Calvin Hobbs]

Nicely done!

Do you have other "period" pieces under your belt or on your list?

Thanks for posting this project. Cal

[Chuck Hamman]

Cal,
Thank you. In answer to your question, I have a number of "period" pieces on my list, but this is the first such piece I've built. It is kind of my coming-out piece if you will. Woodworking has been a hobby of mine for many years, but the past 2-3 years I have been methodically trying to increase my joinery skills as well as my knowledge of hand tools. At this point I consider myself at least 85% Neanderthal :)

-Chuck

[Charles Jackson III]

Nice table!