Compass Table

The Table

I made this table for my leaving cert project, intended to be a gift for my grandmother. The needle spins freely, but can be magnetically pulled around the table by the coasters. I used ash, mahogany and cherry to get the contrast I wanted.

Legs

I started making the legs first, cut from solid pieces of ash. I made a template out of scrap wood to make sure all the legs were the same. Marked out the legs, and then cut them on a bandsaw. Straight forward enough.

Shelf

I then a shelf that fit into the piece. For this, I joined 4 planks of cherry together using domino joints. Used a compass to draw the circle, and cut it with a bandsaw.

Used a mortice and tenon joint to attach the shelf to the legs.

Making sure it all fit

Joining the legs

Used a domino joint at the top to attach the legs to a centre block of ash.

Clamps

Table top

I worked out exactly what needed to be cut by drawing the pattern on paper. I wanted to use solid wood for the table top instead of veneer; I think the sides of the blocks look sweet through the glass.

Assembly

This is what it looked like all together. There was a bit of tweaking here and there, but I took my time to get it fitting right.

Joining these was a pain. I did it in two halves so that I could cut the circular shape easier.

Put it back together and used a compass to trace the circle through all the points.

Cut the circle using a bandsaw, then used a belt sander to get a smooth curve.

Clamped the two halves together. Still some burns but I'd sand them out later.

Used a router to take out enough for the face of the compass.

The diameter of the plywood face were the same as the bottom shelf.

Fit in pretty snug.

Used iron on veneer around the edges to give it a smooth finish

Stuck on some paper to the plywood face and started drawing.

This took longer than I care to admit.

Making the needle was pretty straightforward. I used a similar contrast to the tabletop, and glued the wood in a diamond pattern, using a small domino in the centre.

Used an old skateboard ball bearing to make the needle spin freely.

Used tiny magnets I ordered online on the coasters and the needle.

Glued four in a row to the point of the needle. The tape stopped them sticking together.

Used danish oil to finish the piece.

Cut coasters from solid pieces of scrap wood. Drilled a hole through the middle and put in a magnet, so the needle gets pulled towards them.

Put on a bit of felt to make sure they didn't scratch the glass.

Finished.

I used L brackets to join the top to the base. The circular rim is snug on the face of the compass

The needle rests on a dowel I ran through to the base. It also gives the top a bit of extra support.

I got the glass fitted from a glaziers, they did a pretty good job.

The coasters look great, and pull the needle really well.