George Vondriska

Assembling a Waterfall Table Miter

George Vondriska
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Duration:   8  mins

Live edge and waterfall tables are extremely popular. Making a waterfall table involves mitering the slab, and then gluing the miter together. These are typically large slabs and big miters. And, of course, you’re not make a four-sided frame. You’re making a three-sided U. That means that conventional clamping techniques probably aren’t going to work. This is a great application for cyanoacrylate glue, clamping blocks, and great clamps.

How’s it work?

Clamping blocks are commonly used as a temporary addition, allowing you to clamp wood in a spot you might not otherwise be able to get a clamp. Keeping in mind they’re a temporary addition, we need to be able to get them off later. That’s where the CA glue comes in. It’s plenty strong for what we need to do here, but we’ll be able to easily remove the blocks after the joint is glued up.

Drawing the joint closed

With a well-executed miter it shouldn’t take much to close the joint. A clamp about every 6”-8” should be sufficient. Take it easy as you tighten the clamps, working your way across the miter.

Other tricks

Gluing and clamping wood can be straightforward, or can require some creative shop engineering. Not every situation is the same, so it’s good to have a bag of gluing and clamping tricks and techniques.

Furniture making

It’s very rewarding to make furniture and see it in your own home, or the homes of family and friends. Once your waterfall table is complete, have a look at more furniture making videos that will help you hone your skills.

More info

If you want to know more about Bessey’s GK30 GearKlamps visit the Bessey website.

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6 Responses to “Assembling a Waterfall Table Miter”

  1. Alvin Lievsay

    You did not discuss cutting the dominos in the miter. Would you please create a video showing that process.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Alvin. We do not have any content on this process, but it’s straightforward. If you look at 8:44 in this video you can see the Domino placement. The Domino fence can be set at a 45 degree angle, and once the fence is set, the operation is standard.  
      Paul
      Woodworkers Guild of America

      Reply
  2. SCOTT

    If you’re in a pinch and don’t have CA glue, could you use hot glue instead?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Scott. I don’t think so. It might not have adequate holding power for the clamping pressure.
      Paul
      Woodworkers Guild of America

      Reply

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