Builder's Studio: How to Build a Table Top Using a Reverse Glue Joint
In this episode of Builder's Studio, Jonah explains how to build a table top using a reverse glue joint! Throughout the video we will go over the lumber we used (dimensional stock), how to setup your router table and then we will attach this top to our Squire Table Kit (Part #500172). We hope this helps in your next table top project and can't wait to see your beautiful creations.
Assembly Instructions
Overall Dimensions: 30" × 30" × 89"
We used:
Lumber boards (4) - 1” x 96”
Squire Table Kit (Part #500172)
You will need:
| • Power Drill | • Router Table | • Writing Utensil |
| • Regular Ruler | • Push Stick | • Metal L Square Ruler |
| • Circular Saw | • Sander |
Instructions:
First, set up your router table. Make sure it is turned off. Undo the guard and slide it out of the way. Measure halfway, or the center, between the thickness of the board and mark it. The top of the small cutter should meet with the mark made in the center of the board. This will give you a proper gap between all the boards.
With the router table still off, proceed to set the fence. The depth of the fence should be even with the small indentation in the cutter. To be sure that it is, take a ruler, get the fence loose, and place the ruler in the indentation. Make sure the ruler is flat and doesn’t wobble. The flat piece at the back of the indentation should be on the same plane as the fence.
Next, place the guard back in place. It should be above the small cutter and tightened down so that it doesn’t move. This should give some protection for your hands.
Before starting to cut, lay the boards out and mark them. You should mark each side according to whether it's face up or face down. This is because one pass has to be face up and the other face down so that the boards properly fit together.
Begin cutting the boards. Be sure that two boards only have a cut on one side. These will be boards at the edge of the assembled tabletop.
Next, lay the cut board out on two clamps and join them together. Take one of the boards and place glue along the length of the joint, then attach it to another board. On the other side of that board, attach another piece with glue along the length. Continue doing this for all boards until each piece is attached to each other. NOTE: Double check that the boards with a cut on only one side are placed at the edge and that the cut is facing inwards.
Take additional clamps (we used two more) and place them on top of the boards. Tighten them down. This will prevent the boards from moving too much and ensure that they lay flat while the glue dries.
Leave the boards to dry overnight.
Next, cut the boards to the final length and width. Use a metal L square ruler with a straightedge to create a straight fence along the boards. It should be a bit away from the area you want to cut. Clamp it down. NOTE: The machine used to cut off the excess board will be in the gap between the ruler and the area that needs to be cut. This may vary depending on the tool.
Start sanding the tabletop. Start with a 150 grit to knock out the thicker glue spots and higher spots on the board. Then, finish it up with 220 grit.
Take the squire base (assembly for this can be found here) and lay it atop, with the topside facing down, of the tabletop. Make sure that it is centered.
Then, insert the screws into the pocket holes in the skirt boards and install them. This should firmly attach the base to the tabletop.