Stringing (Latta Style) – Part 1
This year on New Years Eve day I decided it was time to move the Federal Card Table I was working on along. It had felt like forever since I last worked on it due to the holidays and having to get a second shot for tennis elbow.
After many long discussions about how to complete this with power tools (that would involve elaborate jigs, much set up time, etc..) I decided to break out my Steve Latta stringing tools I purchased a while back. Armed with them (and 96 Rock playing on the radio) I set out for an afternoon of using nothing but hand tools. (Those of you who know me, know this is a big step for me!)
Having already completed the layout work and gluing on my temporary backer blocks I started by setting up the radius cutter and plowing out the curved ends. (Below you can also see where I used a dental pick to help with the clean out.)
From here I set my straight cutter and simply connected the two half circles for each of the 3 sections.
I have to say even though I’m a power tool guy, I did have an enjoyable (and semi-quiet) day of woodworking in peace! I might have to expand on this!!
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January 1st, 2010
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Was very satisfy to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I absolutely enjoying every little bit of it and I have bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
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Uh oh, Dave, you are teetering on the slippery slope of hand tool use! The card table is looking great.
)
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Well it’s coming along very slowly due to the recover of “tennis elbow.” But I hope to be spending more time on it now. I did spend time bending string for the curves with a torch this past weekend.
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As always, your post is insightful as well as skillfully written – thank you. Keep up the good work I love your site!
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C’mon Dave, we know that’s not tennis elbow…it has something to do with sauerkraut balls, I’m sure of it. Table looks great. Keep the posts coming.
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YUCK!
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Never thought of it when you emailed but I’ll bet the sauerkraut balls are just the right diameter for those inlay bends…
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You might be right! But I’m not taking a torch to them due to fact I’ll never get that smell to go away!
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Thanks, I appreciate it!