Bow-ties: The “key” to solving a problem

After a relaxing Spring Break, it is time for the WEI Team and I to get back to work. My recent role in the project has been to insert bow-tie or dove-tail keys into the table surfaces along major cracks. This is “key” because large cracks in the table have a potential to keep splitting as time goes on which could ruin the structural integrity of the table. To secure these cracks in place, bow-tie key inserts are used to hold the position. Not only do these inserts provide structural support, they can also add aesthetic value to the look of the table surface. I am choosing to use Sycamore because it will provide a nice contrast to the more pale White Oak.

Bow-tie key inserts are done in a series of steps. First the crack on the table that you aiming to fix has to be assessed. Looking for things like how wide the crack is, how deep, and its location on the table top will help to gauge how large of an insert you should use. Drawing out the bow-tie on the surface will help to visualize it. I, however, will be using a series of routing templates that will allow me to be more precise and consistent. After I match the appropriate size template, I will then be able to produce the bow-tie key to exactly match the size hole that I will be producing with the template and router.

To make the bow-tie, I trace the inside of the template onto a piece of Sycamore, and cut it out using the bandsaw. The inlay is made using a router using the same template and removing all of the interior material. This results in an insert that exactly matches the routed out portion.

The current table we are working on will only require one dove-tail insert. However, future tables will need more due to the extent of checking and cracking in some of the slabs. These will surely become a focal point of the table and will help to add value.