Minimal Tools for End Table Build

[MrToolJunkie]

Hi everyone,

I am going to spend a week with my inlaws and one of the things I would like to do while visiting is build them a couple of end tables. They made a request awhile back, but I never got around to making them a and shipping them 1,200 miles could be challenging. These will be made out of solid wood (likely walnut or maple). I will use loose tenon joinery and bring my Mortise Pal to substitute for the Domino.

So, I would like to hear from other members on what tools to bring...I am extremely limited on space in the car as I need to pack everything with my other luggage. So, not even sure if I can bring them in Systainers....I might need to wrap some tools in towels loose to protect them for the journey. This means no MFT, no dust extractor (will work outside).

So, I was thinking I need to bring the following:

1. A router with a few bits...thinking my OF1400, a round-over, flush trim and a couple of spiral up cut bits, 20mm bit
2. Jigsaw...probably my Mafell as it just works so well. Also a 800 or 110 F rail
3. Rotex 150 with a few sanding disks in various grits.
4. C12 Drill, a couple of bits and Philips Head driver bit.
5. TSC55 and one 800 mm rail and one 1040 or 1400 rail

Square, tape measure, Incra marking ruler, folding rule, 6 inch combination square, 2 quick clamps, 4 Bessey clamps, 2 handcrews, some dogs for a makeshift work surface that I will drill with the router and 20mm bit. Mortise Pal and a couple of pieces of tenon stock sized for 19mm to 22mm stock.

I need to see what I could put in a Midi wrapped up to keep it all from banging around.

Would anyone add something to the list or remove something? I normally would bring a hand plane and a couple of chisels, but not sure I have room for sharpening stones.

Maybe this is just a crazy idea, but I would really like to do this for my inlaws.

Thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Nat X]

There are a lot of end table designs, many of which would never require a router. Which one are you planning on using?

 

[jbair]

I think I'd just make all the parts for the tables, dry fit and pre finish. Then transport to in laws disassembled and glue it together on arrival. The unassembled components of two end tables couldn't possibly take up as much room as all those tools.  If you like the in laws enough to make this fine gesture, the time you'll free up to actually spend with them will be much better spent. Just my take on it.
Jim

 

[Svar]

Could you make all the parts at home, make sure everything fits, and just assemble the tables on site?

P.S. LOL, beat me by few seconds.  [big grin]
Jim, I thought the same thing about rather spending time with the family.

 

[Birdhunter]

Your plan of building away from your shop sounds like a sure prescription for several trips to the local Home Depot.

The prior two posts have it right. Build a knock down table at home and assemble there. Your family will be amazed by your skill rather than hear you cursing over a frustrating mess out in the garage.

 

[Holmz]

... Your family will be amazed by your skill rather than hear you cursing over a frustrating mess out in the garage.

I try to keep the cursing somewhat quiet.

... 1,200 miles could be challenging...

They will be really amazed if they hear it 2000km away. [smile]

[member=26949]jbair[/member]  and [member=15585]Svar[/member] hit on some wisdom...

 

[Tinker]

I think I'd just make all the parts for the tables, dry fit and pre finish. Then transport to in laws disassembled and glue it together on arrival. The unassembled components of two end tables couldn't possibly take up as much room as all those tools.  If you like the in laws enough to make this fine gesture, the time you'll free up to actually spend with them will be much better spent. Just my take on it.
Jim

This was my immediate thought.  If you seldom see the inlaws, the time you spend WITH them is far more important and valueable than any time you will spend out in the yard playing with your toys.  I was brought up by a fine lady who always said (many many times)"People are far more important than things."  I always liked that thought.
Tinker

 

[ear3]

But perhaps he's looking for an excuse not to have to spend time with them? [tongue]

I think I'd just make all the parts for the tables, dry fit and pre finish. Then transport to in laws disassembled and glue it together on arrival. The unassembled components of two end tables couldn't possibly take up as much room as all those tools.  If you like the in laws enough to make this fine gesture, the time you'll free up to actually spend with them will be much better spent. Just my take on it.
Jim

This was my immediate thought.  If you seldom see the inlaws, the time you spend WITH them is far more important and valueable than any time you will spend out in the yard playing with your toys.  I was brought up by a fine lady who always said (many many times)"People are far more important than things."  I always liked that thought.
Tinker

 

[ShadyMaple]

For a minimal end table, you can build one with just a track saw, a drill, some glue, a kreg jig and a box of screws. 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks, Guys. My reasoning for building onsite is that my mother-in-law wants to help design the project and it is something I can do for a few hours each day while they are off doing some other things. It is something that she can actually be a part of the process. The area she wants them have some unique measuring/positioning challenges that have to be accounted for in the build.

Believe me, I will have plenty of family time while I am there!  [big grin]

I am looking forward to the trip and the challenge so we will see how it goes. I will probably take some pics of the process along the way if I end up giving it a go. If I do give it a try I am lucky that there is a HD just a couple of miles from their house for the inevitable trips that come with every project.

 

[JimD]

I hope you are real patient.  I don't think I could do this.  I'm working on a little project for my son's wedding (a cord of three board) that my wife will be decorating.  So she is the "creative" part and I do the woodworking.  I had to wait the best part of a day to get her input on size so I could do anything.  And then, of course, she complains that I'm taking too long (a few hours) cutting into her time.  But she hasn't really been too bad.  But I am expected to comment on each of her decorating tasks but I have to be very careful about disagreeing with her choices.

If you working with your mother in law will work like me working with my wife, you will need a lot of patience.  If you could get her to jot down some ideas including dimensions, it could save a lot of discussion.  The other way I see this requiring patience is trying to do good work without your tools.  Between the two, it could get quite frustrating.

I would make it to their plans and assembly on site if at all possible.  But if she will say what she wants and not change her idea or want to discuss it for hours, it could work OK.

 

[Tinker]

Thanks, Guys. My reasoning for building onsite is that my mother-in-law wants to help design the project and it is something I can do for a few hours each day while they are off doing some other things. It is something that she can actually be a part of the process. The area she wants them have some unique measuring/positioning challenges that have to be accounted for in the build.

Believe me, I will have plenty of family time while I am there!  [big grin]

I am looking forward to the trip and the challenge so we will see how it goes. I will probably take some pics of the process along the way if I end up giving it a go. If I do give it a try I am lucky that there is a HD just a couple of miles from their house for the inevitable trips that come with every project.

I get the idea that [member=6605]ScotF[/member] is really looking forward to workng with his MIL.  Also trying to avoid the "little" shopping trips. :

Tinker

 

[sancho57]

Scott,

Dont do what I did, take your time think things through, which was 3 trips to the shops because I forgot things I needed to hang a simple coat rack. Id build it at home, dry fit it, then take to the MILs and assemble, stain etc..

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Fortunately for me I get along great with my in-laws so I do not need to worry about the patience aspect of things. I am lucky in that regard. Yes, I know about the endless trips. Fortunately there is also a fully-stocked Festool dealer about 4 miles from their house, so I should be all set if I forgot anything.

I have to tell you the Sys-Midi packs a ton of stuff - I have my Carvex, OF1400, Rotex 150, C12 Drill (sans batteries), the guide rail stop, guide rods, some tenon stock, 15 router bits, some DC pieces for the router and a couple of other little things in one Systainer. I am bringing a Sys-MFT and that has clamps, two bases for the Carvex and my Mortise-Pal and templates in it. Finally I am bringing the Sys-storage that has my two C12 batteries, Plug-it, extension cord, some gloves, drill-bits, ear protection, bench dogs, two more Festool Quick-clamps, bevel gauge, tape measure, 6 inch combination square, 12 inch rule-stop, 6 inch steel rule, folding rule, saddle square, marking gauge, Incra 6 inch rule, pencils, some screws and other hardware I will need and a few other odds and ends. Amazing.

I need to pack my cordless track saw in my duffle, and if I have room I will bring my HL850 and bench unit. I will bring 1-2 tracks, 4 Bessey clamps, a couple of other quick clamps and a few other odds and ends. I think I will be pretty well set-up with what I will need. I will buy some glue and finish there and then buy anything else I forgot when I pick up the lumber. I will probably buy a small sheet of MDF too to work on.

If anyone sees anything glaring that I might have missed, let me know.

 

[sancho57]

Sounds like you got it wired Scott.

Especially since your near a festool dealer. That's like a ER for tools if ya need more.

I'm thinking you might be able to box the stuff up and ship to her house it will be there when you get there .
Might save ya the trouble of hauling all that stuff.

Oh just remembered. I don't remember if you had a domino on your list

 

[Tinker]

When mentioning "some tenor stock" I was looking for a Domioe as well.  Maybe that is not a problem as he will be so close to a Festoy dealer. 
Ah ha.  Very good planning.  How can The boss Lady refuse such an emergency? [big grin]
Tinker

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I finished the table and just got home from my trip. Here is a link to a new thread I started with some pics of the build and end result:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/end-table-with-minimal-tools/