I've completed my latest project - a headboard for my mother as a gift. She's only asked for a couple of years now! She wanted it white, so I used poplar. Instead of gluing up the posts and rails that were 2" thick by 4" wide, I used 12/4 stock and was able to re-saw a bit off to use elsewhere. I created the panels with poplar and some quarter inch maple ply that I had on hand. The joinery was tongue and groove all done on the table saw.
I dadoed the large top and bottom rails (4 inch wide ones) and glued the panel into them.
As you can see above and below, I used floating/loose tenon joinery to join the rails and posts. I ended up using a double tenon, each at 3/8". I mortised each piece with a router and edge guide. This was my first attempt at this type of joinery. It did not go well. As you can see, I routed passed my lines. I even began my plunge on the wrong side of my layout line during one cut. hahaha. I knew I had a bit of wiggle room based on my layout and size of the tenons, but it was still embarrassing! I definitely learned some things and may try to build a jig for next time.
I attached the top cap with biscuits mainly for alignment. The top cap was 3" wide while the rail was 2", so I figured the glue surface was enough to hold well. I added a bit of trim under the top cap made on my router table, and then added a bead molding to the panels. I think I would have done the panel to post joinery a bit different, but since it was painted I could fix a few errors! My wife finished the project with General Finishes White Enduro Poly. This stuff is great. After primer - two coats and with this product the color and topcoat are finished. She sprays with a Fuji three stage. I've learned quite a bit on here, so the fact the project is finished can be attributed to all of your contributions...so thank you for your help!
After primer...
After second coat of enduro white poly...
I dadoed the large top and bottom rails (4 inch wide ones) and glued the panel into them.
As you can see above and below, I used floating/loose tenon joinery to join the rails and posts. I ended up using a double tenon, each at 3/8". I mortised each piece with a router and edge guide. This was my first attempt at this type of joinery. It did not go well. As you can see, I routed passed my lines. I even began my plunge on the wrong side of my layout line during one cut. hahaha. I knew I had a bit of wiggle room based on my layout and size of the tenons, but it was still embarrassing! I definitely learned some things and may try to build a jig for next time.
I attached the top cap with biscuits mainly for alignment. The top cap was 3" wide while the rail was 2", so I figured the glue surface was enough to hold well. I added a bit of trim under the top cap made on my router table, and then added a bead molding to the panels. I think I would have done the panel to post joinery a bit different, but since it was painted I could fix a few errors! My wife finished the project with General Finishes White Enduro Poly. This stuff is great. After primer - two coats and with this product the color and topcoat are finished. She sprays with a Fuji three stage. I've learned quite a bit on here, so the fact the project is finished can be attributed to all of your contributions...so thank you for your help!
After primer...
After second coat of enduro white poly...
