Wfd55 Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Hey guys I am a new member this forum. I was looking for some advice. I am building some 4' x 4' Hickory tables rustic looking. For the legs i was figuring they need to be at least 3" x 3" square and chunky the problem is that i can only get 4/4 hickory stock is 4 layers of laminated hickory stock too much? I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 It won't be a problem structurally, but it sho won't be pretty. Look for some 8/4 at least...it's out there. -OR- You can do the old trick like is done on Stickley legs when you're trying to get QS on all four sides...cut a thick veneer and glue it on the laminated sides. Not ideal, but better than looking at all those glue lines and grain going every which-way. Look for some 8/4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Build a box, 4 sides. A rabbeted joint is fairly easy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Laminating them to get your leg material is fine. Pay attention to the grain so that the seams are hard to see. Welcome to the forums as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wfd55 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Wow you guys are quick. I have checked with a few suppliers near me and for some reason they only have the 4/4 i am going to make a few more calls tomorrow at least 8/4 would be better i am even going to try calling a baseball bat manufacturer close by to see if they have a line on some other stock. Another idea i had was using another type of wood if i can't find anything. Any suggestions on a comparable wood? if not i am leaning towards wdwerker's idea of rabbetng. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 You can always check these guys as well.. http://www.bellforestproducts.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bevans Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 +1 what wdwerker said. Use 4 boards but build your legs like a box. I have done it and it turns out pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 I checked Bell Forest for homeboy as soon as he posted...looks like they only have 4/4 in stock. I can't get anything bigger than 5/4 at my dealer. Wonder what's up with that? Maybe they mill the vast majority for flooring and cabinets. It's weird that 8/4 isn't readily available like most every other species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 I can get 8/4 hickory but it's $6.20/BF vs $3.30 for 4/4. Maybe it's a PITA to dry when it's thicker or something. You can try ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unique-Live-Edge-Hickory-Wood-Slab-wood-working-taxidermy-lumber-H-146-/251616673203 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 http://www.americanwoodworker.com/blogs/techniques/archive/2012/03/21/ws-four-sided-quartersawn-table-legs.aspx the method i think some people have mentioned is the box method where you cut the wood into 45 degrees and then glue together into a leg is pretty useful and then you can have the wood grain match up and wrap all the way around the leg. this link should give you and idea even thought its a different type of wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 $3.71 a bd ft for 8/4 Hickory at my supplier. They have 900 ft in stock. Just didn't think to check before they had closed yesterday. Of course freight from Atlanta and the hassle/ up charge for length and I don't even know if they ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 All 3 of my hardwood guys here have the pecan and hickory in the same bins. I'm not sure what the correlation is, maybe same family or something. On the highly figured pecan, you can tell the difference but it's hard to distinguish between the 2 on the straighter grain boards. Don't know if you have pecan up there but you might try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 i don't know if this pulls up. it is the vanity i built. best shot of the legs. they are 3 -3/4 by 2&3/4 boards laminated together. turned out reasonable due to the saving grace of the dark dye. any bigger and i would probably build a box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 well apparently that is my entire photo stream. you have to back track one pic to see the vanity. feel free to check out all the other crap. my old jeep, shark picture (affectionately known as fluffy) brewing.... as a bunch of adds come in. i will delete the link later. i didn't know how to get the pic from my phone to the forum except through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wfd55 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Thank you all for the advice I did end up finding some 8/4 at a lumber dealer I didn't even know existed. It is $6.23 bf but being I will still need a seam and I already have the 4/4 I think I am going to try the rabbeted method or the lock miter method I a just not sure I can get the precision i need with the equipment I have to pull it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Lock miters are tough even if you have lots of experience. Rabbets can be cut on the tablesaw or a with a router. Dry fit before you glue one up. Have plenty of clamps and cauls on hand. If you have plenty of stock make parts for 5 legs, then You have a spare. If you either bevel or round over the corners it helps hide the seam. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Steve is dead on! I'm building a table for a client (covered in another post) where I was doing something I don't do very often and built a few extra legs just so I didn't screw up the good ones. You can use lesser quality wood to practice on but, it's always best to test drive the car before you buy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Marc just posted a demo on the Guild site about creating a four-sided quarter sawn look from thinner material. The Guild is a great bargain and the video covers several different methods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I checked Bell Forest for homeboy as soon as he posted...looks like they only have 4/4 in stock. I can't get anything bigger than 5/4 at my dealer. Wonder what's up with that? Maybe they mill the vast majority for flooring and cabinets. It's weird that 8/4 isn't readily available like most every other species. Just a guess, but hickory is one of those species that does not yield a lot of clear boards. I wonder if it is mostly sawed 4/4 in order to increase the yield of FAS or select and better grades? The mill I buy from stocks in 4/4, 6/4 and 8/4 but he does not grade hickory. He said most people want the rustic look and you just don't get many clear boards anyhow. It is a pet peeve of mine in general. 90% of lumber is sold 4/4 and I almost never need 4/4. I know this is the predominate size for flooring, trim and cabinets but my projects usually require 6/4 and 8/4 stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 I know of one place in NJ that stocks 8/4 hickory: http://www.woodboardsandbeams.com/ It's a bit far from you, but if you really want thicker stock, they often have at least some 6/4 and 8/4. They will sell small quantities to individuals - though they'll be much nicer to you when you make it a point to be super clear about what you want, and can be in and out without too much fuss. As far as the pecan/hickory divide: true hickory is slightly stronger, but pecan is still tough. They come from the same family and are virtually indistinguishable unless you look at end grain under magnification. I don't know why it's so hard to find. It's not particularly knotty in my experience. I suspect that it's a combination of not being a particularly 'trendy' wood outside of people wanting a rustic look, and being so damned hard to work that most places will just run 4/4 for cabinet and flooring shops and call it a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 I built some table legs from laminated Hickory, ended up about 3.5" square. On the sides where you can see the lamination I made a thin laminate by resawing a few 4/4 boards in half. I glued these to the laminated face, then put a simple chamfer on the corners to hide the transition. If you take your time and sort the boards well you can hardly tell that they aren't solid stock. I will say that they ended up being really heavy legs though. If I had to do it over again I might make a tube out of 4 boards (as suggested above) and fill the top portion with some scrap in order to have more material for tenons to sink into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wfd55 Posted August 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2014 I decided to go with the rabbet joints they came out pretty good I will post pics soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wfd55 Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Thank you all for your help. I finished these tables and I did end up going with rabbeted legs. I can see the seams but I think it goes with the semi rustic look of the rest the tables. But now i have another dilemma The person I made them for loves them and now wants me to make a 36" round table to match. These tables have small breadboard ends to help keep them flat. Do i need something to keep round tables flat or will the apron accomplish this? If I do need something how would you guys do it. You guys are the best and reading through other posts I feel like such a newbie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 You guys are the best and reading through other posts I feel like such a newbie. People post about the stuff they know about, and ask questions about the stuff they don't. Everyone's a newbie about something. Keep hanging out here and eventually someone will ask about big square legs and you'll say, "I made some for a table and this is what worked for me..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 An apron should help the round top stay flat. Are you planning to try a round apron, or square? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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