Pie Crust Tea Table, Leg Joint, Part Two

Now I need to cut a matching groove in the base of the spindle for the dovetail on each leg.

(Sorry, these gifs may take some time to load, but it is worth it.)

I marked out an area on the spindle to flatten out before cutting in the dovetail groove.

I used a marking knife to cut a deep, um, cut.

So that when I went at it with the chisel, the edges would stay clean.

I decided to add a little decoration to the edge.

I cut about an inch off the end before starting the groove, you will see why in a moment.

Then I marked out the edges of the groove.

Sawed in at an angle as deep as I could.

Then went at it with a chisel.

After a little cleanup and fiddling I dryfit the first leg.

I cut two more just like that, then cut matching grooves in the stub, dressed it up to look pretty, and fit it all together

The stub on the bottom acts as a nut or pendant to keep the legs from spreading and splitting the wood

After a few adjustments, I double checked that everything was plumb.

Next time I will begin mounting the table top.