This simple project that will take you less time to build than you might imagine at first glance.
Why? Two reasons. First, there’s no trick joinery, here…just simple dowelled butt joints. and second, because of their unique design, you can “borrow” machine set-ups from table to the next. For example: 1) The legs use the same Jointer tapering set-up. 2) Although the widths of the Table Rails vary, the dowel hole boring set-ups are pretty much the same.

We built our examples using red oak, but you can make yours with any wood that best suits your décor. Just remember that since the legs are to be tapered, they should be made from clear, straight-grained wood for the best results. So, let’s get started
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1: Cut and assemble the stock for the three Table Tops (C). Make them about 1/2” oversized all the way around so you can square them up properly once the glue has dried. Be sure to pay close attention to the grain of the wood as you assemble the pieces for your Tops.
It’s also important that all pieces are made from stock of the same thickness…and that everything is held flat and true as the glue sets up. A set of Double Bar Clamps will be a big help, here. They’re real time-savers, since they’ll squeeze the boards together and hold them flat at the same time while the glue dries.
Cut the Table Tops to final size, being sure everything is square.

2: Cut the Legs (D) to size, being certain they are square, all the way around. You’ll note that all Legs are made from 1-1/2” square stock in differing lengths. Leave them un-tapered for now.

3: Cut the Rails (A) to size…again, being certain they are square, all the way around.

4: Set up for horizontal boring, then bore the holes for the dowels in the Rail ends. Use your Miter Gauge to hold your stock so the holes are perpendicular to the Rail ends…and your Rip Fence as a stop to keep the Rails from moving during the boring process. While you’re still in horizontal mode, bore the Top stabilizing dowel holes in the tops of the Legs.

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