Backenzahn - a Small Side Table, Stool, or Plant Stand

by rschoenm in Workshop > Woodworking

6361 Views, 118 Favorites, 0 Comments

Backenzahn - a Small Side Table, Stool, or Plant Stand

Backenzahn render.png
IMG_2001.jpeg
IMG_1962-skew.jpg
IMG_1996.jpeg
IMG_1990.jpeg

Here is a quick and simple weekend project for a small side table, stool, or plant stand; to be used inside or outside. I'll walk you through an easy build for an outside side table or stool using Douglas fir; and show you two more refined builds from cedar wood you would be proud to show off in your home.

The design is called the 'Backenzahn', the German word for molar tooth. The look surely resembles one. The original BACKENZAHN™ was designed in 1996 by the German architect Philipp Mainzer.

The title image was rendered in Fusion 360.

Supplies

6" by 6" by 8' cedar, cypress, fir, or pine timber

Polyurethane construction glue, or PVA wood glue

Bandsaw, sliding miter saw, hand saw

Table saw or router

Design

Backenzahn chair v1.png
IMG_1828.JPG
IMG_1829.JPG
IMG_1831.JPG
IMG_1839.JPG
IMG_1834.JPG
IMG_1832.JPG
IMG_1846.JPG
IMG_1847.JPG
IMG_1964.JPG

The design is really simple to make. Cut four 20" long pieces off the six by six timber on the miter saw. If you use a handsaw try to make the cuts as square as possible.

Look at the cut faces to determine the center and curvature of the tree rings. Arrange the four pieces so that the top faces create a pleasant pattern with regard to the tree rings. Remember that this will be the top, i.e. most visible part of your stool or table. Then mark (with tape) the outside edge of each piece.

The dimensions for the Backenzahn are shown in the attached pdf drawing. The dimensions are flexible, so tweak them to meet your needs.

Cutting Dados for the Joints

IMG_1848.JPG
IMG_1851.JPG
IMG_1850.JPG

Clean up the two inside faces on each leg with a joiner or planer for a better glue joint in the next step. I skipped this for my outside table/stand shown here. Cut a 3/4" by 1" dado on the two inside faces of each piece as shown. Use a table saw or router to cut the dados. Either cut the dado all the way along the piece as shown, or - preferably - stop the dado cut about 1 inch from the top face to hide the joint. Be sure to cut the dados on the inside faces.

Cutting the Legs

IMG_1880.JPG
IMG_1879.JPG
IMG_1890.JPG
IMG_1882.JPG
IMG_1885.JPG
IMG_1893.JPG
IMG_1894.JPG
IMG_1898.JPG
IMG_1901.JPG

Draw a pencil line on an outside face of each piece as shown in the pictures and the drawing. The bottom feet are a 2.5" square. Check again that your top wood-grain/tree-ring pattern is as you intended. With a bandsaw cut along the pencil line to create a taper. Then redraw the second line on the cut face, and cut along this line. You now have one tapered leg. Repeat for the remaining three pieces.

Assembly

IMG_1948.JPG
IMG_1945.JPG
IMG_1950.JPG
IMG_1954.JPG
IMG_1956.JPG

Prepare four 3/4" by 2" by 8" long pieces of wood to make loose (floating) tenons for joining the four legs together. I made the tenons from the cut-offs from the prior step. Test-fit the tenons in the dado grooves on the four legs and adjust the width as necessary. Mask the legs with painters tape to keep any glue squeeze-out off the legs. Then join the four legs with the tenons in place. I recommend polyurethane construction glue which will perform better than wood glue on the rough surfaces. Apply the glue to the 5.5" by 6" faces, the dados, and the tenons. Check for proper alignment and clamp until the glue sets. I glued and clamped all four legs/tenons at once. The construction adhesive gives you about 1/2 hour working time to make adjustments. The pictures show how I clamped everything together. Yes, I use a lot of clamps! Clean off the glue squeeze-out with mineral spirits before it dries.

Finishing

IMG_1969.JPG
IMG_1971.JPG
IMG_1973.jpeg
IMG_1972.jpeg
IMG_1977.jpeg
top pattern.jpg
IMG_1985.jpeg
IMG_1987.jpeg
IMG_2004.jpeg

It may require a bit of work to level the top surface with a sander. A belt sander will work best if you have one. Check, and if necessary trim the legs so the table/stool doesn't wobble. In the pictures I left the outside faces rough-cut just like they came from the lumberyard.

If you want a more polished look for an inside table/stool you should sand and/or plane all faces. You should do that before you make the tapered cuts on each individual leg. Planing the surface will also allow you to make a better glue joint and use wood glue instead of construction adhesive.

Take a look at the two Backenzähne I made from cedar, shown in the introduction. They feature a stopped dado for the loose tenon joint that does not show on the top face.

My exterior Douglas fir Backenzahn is finished with Messmer's U.V.Plus natural wood finish.

For the interior cedar Backenzähne I used satin water-based polyurethane.