I definitely have a soft spot for candle stands. They are usually quick to make and don’t require a lot of material. Maybe building these smallish tables appeals to my short attention span too.

This example I ran across in the MESDA database but was owned by a private collector. With the help of the folks at MESDA I was able get in contact with the owner, measure and document the original piece. The walnut candle stand originates from Randolph County North Carolina, dating from around 1800.
What I turned me on about this one was the post, not turned but hexagonal. It is shaped with hand planes. Considering how bad a turner I am, is a very good thing.
Below are a few pictures showing some of the tool marks that give some clues to the construction methods used to make it.






There will be more to come about this table here. It will also be featured in Popular Woodworking Magazine sometime in the near future.
Best,
-Will Myers
I can’t turn to save my life and I have an odd(?) affinity for regular angles so this form appeals to me very much.
Plus, I just love walnut.
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I’m curious how the legs are attached. Typical sliding dovetails weren’t used…
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The legs attach with mortise an tenons.
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Kudos!
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Nice candle stand Will! Do you have pics of the leg joinery? You said it is mortise & tenon.
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Here is one of the tenon in process. https://eclecticmechanicals.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/img_2700-2.jpg?w=900
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Cool Will Do you think it’s as strong as a sliding dovetail?
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Two of the three joints had small nails thru the tenons. These were repairs from point in some time. Are they as good as dovetails? Both joints have their pluses an minuses, but yes, overall I would think so.
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Thanks Will! I love it. I am not much of a turner myself, though I haven’t really tried much of it.
This table is certainly on my to do list.
I look forward to more detail on your build.
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…are they pinned?
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No pegs.
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