How To Build A Scandinavian Modern Round Dining Table. This dining table is made in a modern Scandinavian style for a client who moved to Colorado from Sweden. I hope it reminds her of a little bit of home every time she sits down for a meal. It is made from solid cherry; the top edge is rounded over to create a pillowed effect along the edge. The legs are angled from all sides and sculpted to a similar pillowed effect that is on the edge of the tabletop.
It is approximately 42” DIA and stands 30” tall.
Specialty Tools I Used (affiliate links)
• WoodRiver Low Jack Plane
• Japanese Dozuki Saw
• Starbond CA Glue
• CA Glue Accelerator
More on this Dining table.
The Build Process
Today, I’m building this Scandinavian Modern Round Table…..Or is it a mid-century modern table?
My client and I had a bit of a discussion behind the scenes on what it was, but the client is from Sweden, and she called it Scandinavian, so that’s what I’m going to go with.
Preparing the Top:
The journey begins with meticulous material preparation for the Dining table’s top. Ensuring the right thickness and carefully selecting pieces with the best grain flow, I take the time to plan and execute the perfect glue-up. I use dominos to help keep everything aligned and reduce the amount of sanding needed after the glue-up. When placing the dominos, I make sure I place them out of the path of the router that will cut the circle. I don’t want the dominos to show on the edge of my circle!
Circle Cutting Jig:
In a previous video, I showcased the creation of a simple yet fully adjustable circle-cutting jig. Employing this tool, I cut out the circular shape needed for the table, using a large thumbnail bit to achieve a pillowed edge through multiple passes.
Leg Design and Template:
With a vision in mind for the legs, I sketch guidelines for height and a centerline. After experimenting with angles and curves, a plywood template is crafted, serving as a guide for routing all legs in the same shape.
Leg Construction:
The legs take form with precision cuts using a track saw and band saw. I glue the template to the workpiece with CA glue to ensure a smooth routing process; I carefully adjust the leg angles until satisfied.
Joinery and Assembly:
The challenge of creating tight-fitting joints is tackled, with floating tenons allowing for test fits and adjustments. The legs are traced against the template, roughed out at the band saw, and refined using a router table to match the template.
Half-Lap Joint:
Cross braces featuring a half-lap joint are crafted by hand. The process involves marking, sawing, chiseling, and careful fitting to achieve a seamless connection.
Leg Shaping and Tapering:
Tapering is done by affixing the legs to a plywood piece and cutting the waste with the band saw. The final shaping of the legs is done with a thumbnail round-over bit. Then, a final touch-up with a handplane to dial everything in.
Refinement and Completion: After test fitting and additional adjustments, the legs are refined using a jack plane and sander. The final assembly involves gluing the leg assemblies together and attaching them to the top with screws.
Finishing Touch: For the perfect finish for my dining table, I applied several clear coats of satin poly to bring out the natural beauty of the wood, providing a durable and attractive finish.
Conclusion: That is how to build a modern Scandinavian round dining table. I’m pleased with the outcome of this woodworking journey, and I hope you enjoyed the process as much as I did. For more updates on my projects, follow me on Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe for future videos. Thank you for joining me in this creative endeavor!