Morton’s Shop: Final Touches

The last touches to the table are to smooth all the edges and corners before final sanding and finish prep. I generally like to add a 60 degree chamfer to my edges – something a little different than a typical 45. And a chamfer has a nice definition compared to a rounded-over edge.

For this table, I’m making the chamfer extremely small – just breaking the edge – about 1/8″ or so. I first define it with my marking gauge.

Using a marking gauge is the key to success on a crisp chamfer

Since it’s small, I just my Hock Tools block plane to chamfer to my layout lines. If I go over by a pass or so, it’s no big deal – taking small shavings at a time and keeping it consistently smooth along the 10′ edge is the key.

I chamfer the top of the table with a Hock Tools block plane

The thickness of the top varies a bit due to flattening and stock removal. So, I use my marking gauge to measure a consistent distance down from the top and mark the edge. Then on the underside I chamfer to that lay-out line. Now the table looks like it’s a uniform thickness! The degree and width of the bottom bevel doesn’t matter at all – as long as I hit my layout line on the side.

I use an old stanley plane to create a bevel on the underside edge

Finally I smooth the long edge of the table. That’s some long shaving!

A nice long block plane shaving from the edge of my table