The Top
The function of the tools I use and how they work are explained here. Specific tools used are noted in bold.
The table is made from a matched set of 5 boards that were consecutively cut from one log. The lumber for this table, and many of my other projects, was purchased from Logs-To-Lumber, which is an Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota sawyer who specializes in matched sets. Logs-To-Lumber only saws trees that were cut down for non-lumbering purposes (e.g. removed due to construction, storm damage, disease, etc.). These boards were sawn approximately 15 years ago. The quarter sawn technique was used, which results in a tight parallel grain pattern due to saw cut being near perpendicular to the annual growth rings.
The boards were first flattened using the widebelt sander. One straight edge was cut using the sliding table saw. The board is pneumatically clamped to the the table of the saw, which slides parallel to the saw blade, thus resulting in a straight edge. They are then cut to width using the table saw, and then cut to length on the sliding table saw. Each edge is run across the jointer to remove the saw marks and provide a perfectly flat and even surface for mating and gluing the boards together. After gluing, the top is run through the widebelt sander again to flatten and sand it.
