The work on the table started in earnest in August of 2011. The summer saw many rapid days of progress with George and I working on many pieces. As the project continued it became more and more evident that this will be a work that is around for many years. As a result the design began to mature as an adventure in pushing our woodworking skills. The functionality of the table requires it has a span that covers 4 people standing side by side. The height needs to allow for an easy reach of the communion and offering plates placed in front of them. For convenience the side facing away from the congregation should allow for storage.The front side of the table is to have the words "This Do In Remembrance of Me" from Luke 22.19
The design clearly needed to be solid to support the weight of all the pieces considering the span will be 8 feet. It also needed to allow for disassembling for transport to the church. The table would need to be movable around the church. Of all the projects I have tackled this is the most involved for materials, tools, size, woodworking, and purpose.
The design internals is based on an article "Arts and Crafts Library Table" from May/June 2001 of Fine Woodworking. That is the method of how the drawer case, aprons, and sides come together is similar to the magazine article. The fronts and sides of the communion table are to be solid with panels. See my picture from an earlier post. Yes there is the idea book again. I have lost track of how many sketches we have done to prove to our selves the options on the design being considered.
As for the woodworking fine details; I am looking to use as few mechanical fasteners as possible. That is I am trying to limit the number of screws - which puts a great deal of pressure on using solid woodworking joints. That choice does allow for biscuits, as was used to align the top and bottom sections of the drawer case. It also gave a chance to try out a double tenon construction to join the drawer case top and bottom. This joint has plenty of surface area for glue and makes for a rigid construction.
More to come ...
