Tilt-Top Table

Marc Spagnuolo

A beautiful tilt-top table with pleasing proportions featuring a turned (or sculpted) post, an oval top, and curved legs. We'll build two different versions of the table, one made from Cherry with a more modern design and a tilting top, and a Walnut version with a more traditional look and a non-tilting top.

This is a classic design and quite a departure from the modern style Marc typically focuses on. It's going to be a fun and challenging project.

Dimensions: 28 1/2" H, 15"W , 17"L

15 lessons

261 min

$79.00

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Tilt-Top Table Virtual Tour

A close look at the Tilt-Top Table plans and details.
The Baseball Bat Challenge

Using a baseball bat as a table post presents a few challenges. Do you have the solutions?
Wood Selection & Rough Milling

Selecting the right boards for your tilt-top table.
Turning the Post Pt. 1

How to glue up the post blank from thinner wood and a road trip to Matt Monaco’s shop to learn about the skew chisel.
Turning the Post Pt. 2

A detailed overview of the post turning process, highlighting the use of Easy Wood Tools.
The Router Jig

This jig is critical for routing the dovetail slots in the cylindrical post.
The Dovetail Slots

We put the router jig to good use as we make the dovetail slots in the column, while also confronting and fixing a few issues.
Bill’s DIY Lathe Bed Extension

Guild member Bill Akins shows us how he saved money by making his own lathe bed extension.
The Legs

These shapely legs have a lot going on!
The Pivot Mechanism

The pivot mechanism is designed to allow the table top to tilt into a vertical position, and it does it with style!
The Top & Assembly

Cutting the ellipse and assembling the table.
The Finish

Applying a Danish Oil finish and proceeding with the final assembly.
Post Alternatives: The Spiral

A spiral, inspired by a David Marks project, makes a great alternative to the turned post.
Post Alternatives: The Baseball Bat

Making modifications to a baseball bat so that it can be used as a post for our tilt-top table.
Catch Installation

Installing the catch hardware for the tilt-top table.

What You’ll Receive:

Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
Hours of detailed video instruction showing every step of the build, from wood selection to finishing.

What You’ll Learn:

Careful grain selection
Cutting an ellipse
Turning a table post
How to make a post from a baseball bat
Creating a “Poor Man’s Lathe” router jig
Sliding dovetails
Cutting curved/tapered legs
Designing a tilt mechanism
Carving an alternative spiral post
Applying a Danish Oil finish

What You’ll Need:

Jointer, Planer, Tablesaw, Bandsaw
Miter Saw, Drill, Router, Router Table
Lathe (for turned posts)
Die Grinder and Rasps (for a sculpted post)

About Your Instructor:

Marc is a podcaster, video producer, woodworking enthusiast, and author of Hybrid Woodworking and Essential Joinery. He has contributed articles and video content to FineWoodworking.com, Popular Woodworking Magazine, WOOD Magazine, and Woodcraft Magazine. He is also the host of The Wood Whisperer, an instructional woodworking video series that’s been going strong since 2006. He is also one of the hosts of the Wood Talk podcast. He has taught classes at the William Ng School, Marc Adams School, Weekend with Wood, Fine Woodworking Live, as well as at various Rockler and Woodcraft stores. He also speaks periodically at woodworking events like AWFS and IWF.

Tilt-Top Table

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

Here's what we'll cover:

Tilt-Top Table Virtual Tour

The Baseball Bat Challenge

Wood Selection & Rough Milling

Turning the Post Pt. 1

Turning the Post Pt. 2

The Router Jig

The Dovetail Slots

Bill’s DIY Lathe Bed Extension

The Legs

The Pivot Mechanism

The Top & Assembly

The Finish

Post Alternatives: The Spiral

Post Alternatives: The Baseball Bat

Catch Installation

What You’ll Receive:

What You’ll Learn:

What You’ll Need:

Reviews:

About Your Instructor:

You can build this project, just like these guild members!