Joining vertical slats to horizontal pieces

[Chris Gilde]

Building my first major project:  an Arts and Crafts style desk.  I have two questions for anyone who can offer advice:

For the side legs system I plan to use vertical slats joined to upper and lower horizontal pieces (as illustrated) using pocket holes and then using filler plugs.  Wood material is all hemlock. Slat widths are 2.5" joined to 3/4" inch material.  

Since I have never done a project at this level before, any advice for clamping, gluing, and screwing?  

Is 2.5" width stock too narrow for two pocket holes on each end? Would it be best to join the vertical slats to the upper and lower horizontal pieces first and then join to the legs?

Finally, what's the best way to match hemlock material to available wood plugs?  I plan to use a a lighter stain finish.

Thanks; I'd be lost without this forum!

Chris

 

[David Dean]

Just happy to help.

Chris Gilde said:

David:

This is actually a perfect solution for me since I can cover the pocket holes above the vertical slats with the drawer frame assembly and the holes below the slats with the bottom shelf assembly.  Also, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Thanks again!

David Dean said:

Here's a little trick I learn from a menber on here.If you can drill your hole's above and below your vertical slats.

[David Dean]

Yes Mrs. Rita but as a rule of thum in my shop anything from a 1'' to a 1 1/2" one scerw anything 2" to 2 1/2" two scerws and 3" three screws and have faith in your ( Glue ) .

Rita Baske said:

Thanks Jay,  hope to get started with a practice piece this weekend.  I have a refinishing project going on right now that is keeping me from creating dust.

Ken, thanks so much for the photo.   Seeing it illustrated in such a way gives me a greater understanding of how I will need to lay out the markings for the cut with a much better overall idea of how the two pieces should fit together.

 

Mr. Dean,  great photo but I thought each board needed at least two screws at each end to prevent the board from twisting?

[Ken Darga]

Jay,

Great job on the instructional slide show.

[Jay Boutwell]

Thanks Ken, Hopefully it will help some understand the steps.
 
Ken Darga said:

Jay,

Great job on the instructional slide show.

[Rita B.]

Jay!   Thank you so much for that video!  The detail is excellent and I loved the way I could go back if I didn't catch something the first go around.   I am sure I will be reviewing it frequently as I attempt the joint.  It will be interesting to see if the tools I presently have are up to the task ( or the abuse )   Thanks again.  I will be sure to let you know how my attempt goes.

[Jay Boutwell]

Thanks Rita, I am sure you will do well.  The biggest thing in the tool department is needing a sharp chisel.  Any questions please contact me. 
 
Rita Baske said:

Jay!   Thank you so much for that video!  The detail is excellent and I loved the way I could go back if I didn't catch something the first go around.   I am sure I will be reviewing it frequently as I attempt the joint.  It will be interesting to see if the tools I presently have are up to the task ( or the abuse )   Thanks again.  I will be sure to let you know how my attempt goes.

[Ken Darga]

Jay,

What tools & methods are your choice to obtain a "keen" edge on your chisels?

Jay Boutwell said:

Thanks Rita, I am sure you will do well.  The biggest thing in the tool department is needing a sharp chisel.  Any questions please contact me. 
 

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi ken, depending on how bad the edge is, If it has a nick in the edge I will resort to using a powered wet stone made for tool sharping.  I have a tormek that I start with first.  Then I will go for the diamond sharpening stones and use a guide to keep the chisel at the same angle on the stones.  I will finish the edge using a leather strop and some fine polishing compound to hone a hair cutting edge on the chisels. 

On all the chisels that I use for heavy cutting where I use a mallet or hammer, I do not try to get the edge too keen as it will normally turn a burr and rapidly destroys the chisel.  On any chisel that I use only for finishing and do so by pushing by hand or very light tapping with a mallet I will go to the extreme to obtain a super sharp edge.  One important thing here on the finishing chisels is that I will keep the edge well protected and always strop the egde before I start using it.  That way the edge is always sharp and I never get a surprise of having a ridge or indented gouge in my finish.

I do the same on plane irons and have also resorted to the disposable blades using a couple Swiss made planes called a "Rali". One is a bullnose plane and the other one is a standard smoothing plane.  They have a double edged blade similar to a double edge razor blade.  The replacement blades are hard to find and expensive but they do cut well even better that the Stanleys planes that I have.

On cabinet scrapers I use either a file to level the edge and then roll it over using a tool steel hardened rod.

On some of my router bits I will use a diamond stone to keep the edge sharp but if it is nicked I will send it to a  tool sharpening service here in town.

On jointer and planner blades from my big planner I will sometimes hone the edge with a diamond stone and if damaged I will sent them to the sharpening service.

Saw blades I will not mess with and just send to the sharpening service.

Here is an old trick for your tool box.  If you are ever caught with needing to shave something down and it like dirty lumber or something you do not want to run your plane through.  Get a piece of window glass and make a new break in it .  Pick a location on the glass that will serve you for the shape of the wood surface you need to scrape.  Put masking tape over the rest of the glass leaving about a 1/4 inch of the glass part you want to use exposed.  WEARING GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION !!! scrape the wood with the glass.  It cuts like a razor and will cut even the hardest of wood.  I have done this many times when fitting a wood tool handle like a hammer or axe.
 
Ken Darga said:

Jay,

What tools & methods are your choice to obtain a "keen" edge on your chisels?

Jay Boutwell said:

Thanks Rita, I am sure you will do well.  The biggest thing in the tool department is needing a sharp chisel.  Any questions please contact me.