Saratoga Joinery

In this hands-on weekend workshop, you'll build a beautiful 2' x 3' coffee table using the traditional Japanese Shiro or "castle joint." Designed for woodworkers with some prior experience -- whether modest, intermediate, or advanced -- this course will guide you through the full process, from raw lumber to finished furniture. You'll learn precision milling, thoughtful joinery, and effective assembly techniques, all while working with professional-grade tools.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Safe and proper use of woodworking tools
2. How to mill rough lumber to accurate, consistent dimensions
3. Multiple approaches to solving woodworking challenges
4. Confident use of jigs and the table saw
5. How to complete a high-quality piece of furniture in just one weekend

Tools & Techniques Covered:

You'll use a wide variety of tools including:

• Primary Tools: Jointer, planer, table saw, miter saw, track saw
• Additional Tools (as needed): Band saw, drill press, cabinet scraper, block plane, sanders
• Precision Tools: Measuring tape, steel ruler, dial caliper, marking gauge

Tool use will be demonstrated and explained in-depth, with an emphasis on safety, efficiency, and best practices.

Weekend Schedule:

Day One: Milling & Tabletop Construction

Mill and Prep the Tabletop:

• Flatten and thickness plane rough boards
  • Arrange grain patterns for aesthetics
  • Use the Festool Domino for mortise-and-tenon joinery
  • Glue up the top using cauls and panel clamps

Prepare Legs and Aprons:

• • Mill all leg blanks to an exact 1-7/8” square x 16-1/2” long
  • Rough mill apron stock slightly oversized
  • Cut aprons to precise matching lengths

Top Assembly:

• • Cut tabletop to final size (24” x 36”) using the track saw
  • Chamfer bottom edges with a table saw or router table
  • Scrape and sand tabletop, legs, and aprons

Day Two: Joinery, Tapering, Assembly

Cut Dados for Legs and Aprons:

• • Use sleds to cut precise dados in both legs and aprons
  • Match apron thickness to dado size for a perfect fit

Apron Details:

• • Use a biscuit joiner or router to cut slots for tabletop fasteners

Taper the Legs:

• • Taper two sides of each leg using a tapering jig for a clean, modern look

Assembly:

• • Drill pilot holes with jigs, then screw aprons to legs
  • Sand all parts from 150 up to 220 grit (or 320 if ebonizing)

Final Touches:

• • Attach tabletop to the frame with fasteners
  • Optional: Apply your choice of finish at home or during shop hours

By the end of the weekend, you’ll walk away with a finished, heirloom-quality coffee table—and a deeper understanding of thoughtful craftsmanship and joinery techniques.

Experience Level: Some prior experience with basic woodworking tools is required.
Ages: 18+
Duration: Two full days (Saturday & Sunday) with breaks for lunch.
Instructor: Reg Lilly