Assembling a Waterfall Table Miter
George VondriskaDescription
Live edge and waterfall tables are extremely popular. Making a waterfall table involves mitering the slab, and then gluing the miter together. These are typically large slabs and big miters. And, of course, you’re not make a four-sided frame. You’re making a three-sided U. That means that conventional clamping techniques probably aren’t going to work. This is a great application for cyanoacrylate glue, clamping blocks, and great clamps.
How’s it work?
Clamping blocks are commonly used as a temporary addition, allowing you to clamp wood in a spot you might not otherwise be able to get a clamp. Keeping in mind they’re a temporary addition, we need to be able to get them off later. That’s where the CA glue comes in. It’s plenty strong for what we need to do here, but we’ll be able to easily remove the blocks after the joint is glued up.
Drawing the joint closed
With a well-executed miter it shouldn’t take much to close the joint. A clamp about every 6”-8” should be sufficient. Take it easy as you tighten the clamps, working your way across the miter.
Other tricks
Gluing and clamping wood can be straightforward, or can require some creative shop engineering. Not every situation is the same, so it’s good to have a bag of gluing and clamping tricks and techniques.
Furniture making
It’s very rewarding to make furniture and see it in your own home, or the homes of family and friends. Once your waterfall table is complete, have a look at more furniture making videos that will help you hone your skills.
More info
If you want to know more about Bessey’s GK30 GearKlamps visit the Bessey website.
Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.
Already a member? Sign in
4 Responses to “Assembling a Waterfall Table Miter”
Premium Membership
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Woodworking Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Plans, and Tutorials
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the Woodworkers Guild of America Shop
- 2 Printable Woodworking Plans
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Woodworking Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Plans, and Tutorials
- 50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the Woodworkers Guild of America Shop
- 2 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 2 Printable Woodworking Plans
Gold Membership
$370 Value
Get everything included in Premium plus exclusive Gold Membership benefits.
- 24/7 Access to Premium Woodworking Videos, Projects, and Tips
- Step-by-Step Instructional Demos, Plans, and Tutorials
- 8 Full-Length Video Downloads to Watch Offline
- 3 Full-Length Woodworking Classes to Keep for Life
- 7 Printable Woodworking Plans
- Discounts on Purchase-to-Own Content in the Woodworkers Guild of America Shop
- Access to Ask the Expert Program
- Exclusive GOLD LIVE Streaming Events
The most crucial part is left out … getting those biscuits or dominoes, as you call them … in the mitred edges. Why was it left out of the process?
You did not discuss cutting the dominos in the miter. Would you please create a video showing that process.
If you're in a pinch and don't have CA glue, could you use hot glue instead?
And you created that large miter how? Beautiful slab btw.