Cabin Table With Folding Legs

John Biermacher
by John Biermacher
$50
15 Hours
Medium
My tax accountant learned I was a woodworker and asked me if I could make a table for their cabin in Northern Michigan . The aesthetics were not as important as much as they wanted it: 1) to be counter height (36"); and 2) foldable (so they could store it away when not in use). They have a kitchen bar they usually eat at.
The bases will be used in other table.
The top was leftover from a a previous project (see http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/piano-bookcase-28841066. It had some large holes that needed to be plugged, but the size, thickness, and character was appropriate for this table. 
For the legs and base I used some hickory. It was the first time I have ever worked with it. It is extremely hard and strong. It is subject to “tear out” but that wasn’t a big concern with this table and tear out could be reduced ifI was better about keeping my tools and blades sharp. 
This is the short leg side.
The engineering of the legs was a little tricky. I wanted them bigger,  but didn’t want any additional weight, hence the gap in the center.  One set of legs needed to be hinged higher so they can fold past each other. 
The short legs fold over the longer legs.
The stretcher keeps the legs from folding in  when in use, but didn’t completely eliminate the wobble.  I moved it to the upper part of the legs and added some cross bracing. The stretcher and the cross braces need to be removed to fold the table,. This requires loosing four wing nuts and reassembly must be done in a particular order, but they really add stability to the table. An apron hides the leg hinges. 
Stretcher before relocation
Dark ebony stain on the base and cherry stain on the top where top coated with urethane varnish.  The hickory looked very similar to natural walnut after staining with the ebony stain.
Finished table.
Like all my projects, it seemed to take longer than expected, but all-in-all I think it turned out well.  Thanks for looking. 
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