Mother Builds a Butler Table

By The Mother Earth News Editors
Published on May 1, 1980
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MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF

The butler table was designed hundreds of years ago . . . no doubt to make it easy for “the help” to deliver milord and milady’s teatime victuals. It was, after all, a simple matter to load the table’s removable tray with goodies in the kitchen, and then deposit it — atop its waiting legs — before a hungry group of nobles.

Even today, in our self-serve society, antique reproduction butler tables are often found in American households. And, when you think about it, the convertible furnishings actually have dozens of potential uses . . . from serving breakfast in bed to transporting bowls of midnight popcorn. What’s more, we believe you’ll find that MOTHER EARTH NEWS’ mini-mobile groaning board is an uncomplicated but satisfying shop project . . . as well as a treat for the eyes!

Keep the Cost Down

Money-wise woodworkers buy large boards and divide them . . . instead of paying the added board-footage charge for cut-to-size lumber. For example, if you’re willing to rip two eight-foot 1 X 8’s into pieces of the proper size you can avoid the additional expense of having to buy two (closer-to-size) 1 X 4’s plus one 1X8.

Take It From the Bottom

The table’s legs and braces are held together by 5/16″ X 1 1/2″ fluted dowels. (NOTE: Since the wooden pegs enter the corner posts from two different directions, the 3/4″-deep holes must be “staggered” or the pairs of plugs will run into each other.) The dowels should be glued into the holes, and the contact surfaces between the boards must also be bonded. Once all the pieces are glued and slipped together, apply pressure to the assembly with either four bar clamps or a strap clamp. (A tip: If you have trouble keeping the legs square, just tack thin strips of wood — such as split lath or 1/4″ dowel — between the feet to hold them in position until the adhesive has set.)

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