Table Made From Wood Shims

by matt392 in Workshop > Woodworking

4415 Views, 9 Favorites, 0 Comments

Table Made From Wood Shims

583650de3dd33a2a89001367.jpeg
woodshims.jpg
woodglue.jpg
clamps.jpg
spaxscrews.jpg
Small table made using only wood shims.

Parts:
1. Wood shims - 8 inch (perhaps about 30 packs depending on the height)
2. Wood glue
3. Spring clams
4. 5/8 inch Spax screws (optional)

Please note that this table was built over the course of several weeks.

Build Foundation for the Table Post

temp_1783353395.jpg
573132ec15be4d96240002d4.jpeg
temp_1799626500.jpg
58350c0cef665a941600142c.jpeg
57313317937ddb5bab0002e3.jpeg
BottomDone1.jpg

Build the foundation of the table post:
1. Glue 2 shims together to create a solid piece. This will be the building block of the table.
2. Place about 6 of the pieces together in a line.
3. Glue 2 crosspieces on their ends to make a solid base.
4. Optionally, you can screw them down with 5/8 inch Spax screws, but it is not necessary.

Start to Build Up Table Height

57b7b6fc50e1b6db4d000556.jpeg
57b7b7144936d414e5000b87.jpeg
57b7b73b937ddb200e000976.jpeg
Halfway2.jpg
FRQT1JOI2XTU62M.jpeg
54792948f92ea18efb000065.jpeg

1. Add crosspieces to build up table.
2. Optional, use the screws to further secure the shims. I used 5/8" #1 Square screws.

Build to Desired Height

58350b8365d22194080007b3.jpeg
58350beb3dd33a41d1000561.jpeg

Continue to build upwards until you get to the height you want. I went to about 3 feet.

Build Out the Tabletop

582959b050e1b69647000de3.jpeg
5830f8758ae43b28b900072c.jpeg
58295ab545bceb7e10000ae3.jpeg
5830f6443dd33abce800072a.jpeg
5830f72c8ae43b28b9000723.jpeg
58350a268852ddae94000a97.jpeg
583508167a9cb6eb1a000448.jpeg
58350a8265d221eed100116d.jpeg
58350b2a8ae43bb0090013ed.jpeg

1. Once the table has been built to the desired height (mine was about 3 feet), cover the column hole with wood shims.
2. Now attach wood shims around the edge of the top with screws. Allow for one inch where the screws attach to the top and about 5 inches sticking out away from the column. After you are done, it should look like a stubby cross from overhead.
3. Optional: Add more area to the surface of the table by connecting wood shims between the intersections of the cross at about 45 degrees. It would be best to glue them first, then screw then in to further secure them.
4. Optional: to further reinforce the top, glue wood shims underneath the top at about 45 to 60 degrees. Anchor them on the corners and sides of the table column. Since they are being placed in odd positions, take some wood glue and roll it around in your fingers for a few minutes to create a ball of glue paste. Then wedge the paste into the joint where the wood shim meets the column or tabletop. To make sure it stays in place, secure it with duct tape until it dries. Once it is dry, add more glue paste to the joints to reinforce them, along with a few screws.