Walnut Kline Side Table no. 4

Solid live edge walnut top with wedged through tenon joinery marrying the top to the solid unsteamed walnut base (original and unique to Philomath Woodworks).

One of the many challenges of great woodworking is that in general, the progress is slow and methodical. Therefore making it inherently difficult to build forms that appear light and gestural. 

This table is inspired by the motion found in traditional Japanese Zen ink paintings, as well as my personal favorite, American masters of mid-century abstract expressionist painting, Franz Kline and Robert Motherwell.

 

Original and unique to Philomath Woodworks is the use of wedged mortise and tenon joinery. This joint marries the base to the live edge top. Woodworkers around the world have used the mortise and tenon joint for thousands of years to join pieces of wood, mainly when the adjoining pieces connect at right angles, which also gives an attractive look. The mortise and tenon joint is considered to be one of the strongest joints next to the common dovetail joint, and is difficult to make because of the precise and tight cutting required. In its most basic form, a mortise and tenon joint is both simple and strong. I then go one step further by chiseling a second mortise into the through tenon that then accepts a wedge. The wedge locks the top to the base in a beautiful display of simplicity and craftsmanship.

The base forms are joined together with traditional handcut bridle joints.

 

Proprietary Philomath LinBee Finish - a natural blend of linseed oil and Montana beeswax (for more details please see LinBee product page).