Aprons and Expansion Mechanism
The function of the tools I use and how they work are explained here. Specific tools used are noted in bold.
The legs are attached to the end apron (the horizontal board below the table top) using mortise and tenons. Mortises are elongated slots, and tenons are the tongues that go in mortises. The mortises are cut using the multi-router. The mortises are squared off using hand chisels. The tenon shoulders are cut on the sliding table saw. The table expands by means of heavy duty drawer slides. The large resulting drawer under the table is used to store the leaves when they are not in place.
