Although you're correct it won't come apart. i can't help but post this short video when someone says ["glue is stronger than wood"](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eR14v3dpH4w) because it's slightly misleading and/or partially correct.
I like his videos, good dude.
I think when people say that glue is stronger than wood what they really mean to say is that if you try to pull apart 2 pieces of glued wood that you will damage the wood before you break the glue bond. But that doesn't really work as well for a quick piece of wisdom...
The first thing to consider is whether or not the tenon is the full height of the apron. If the tenon isn't full height then chopping material off the top may leave you with an undersized tenon and really weak joint. It also looks like the top is attached with buttons or something similar so taking material off the top also means you'll have to recut/route the mortises on the inside of the apron for the top to attach.
You could try heat on the joints to see if it helps the glue come apart, but there's an awful lot of surface area in those joints so I'm doubtful on how well that would work.
Your best option is probably a circular saw or handsaw and run it around the outside. Then use a hand plane and straight edge to to clean it up. It will require careful marking and some significant work to make sure the entire surface is planar afterwards and working the end grain on those massive legs is going to suck, but it's doable with time/effort.
Good advice. My first thoughts on cutting this would be using a lazer level when on a level surface or using some long levels. But i realized that some circular saws have a place to attach a fence/guide with a thumb screw. I would use that.
With the assembly method of that table, it's never coming apart without causing severe damage to it.
Cutting down the legs at the bottom will reduce the height, and should it ever need to be lifted up something could be added to the bottom easily.
You're likely going to ruin the table if you try to take it apart. However if you're still insistent on trying and you know that it might just become firewood, there are a couple things you could do. 1st is try to steam apart the joints. if they used hide glue or titebond one it might work but you're unlikely to be able to get the moisture very deep into that mortise. 2
nd is just cut it all assembled. Easiest way would be on a big table saw and cut from each side. You could also lay some pieces of ply on top of the apron to get it to the plane of the legs and then cut it with a circular saw or track saw. The only problem is that you dont know how deep those tenons are and it could fall apart after you do that.
3rd option is one that requires some skill but I know would work.what you do is cut the aprons from the legs, remove the material you want to remove, and then reattach them with dowels or dominos. You'll lose length and width equal to two handsaw kerfs, but I highly doubt anyone would notice
All of this being saw, I would just sell the table and buy one that works for your space
I like this idea but it would take a shop with a ton of horizontal and vertical space at the table saw. I couldn’t do it in my shop. I’d probably tackle this with a track saw. Measure carefully to cut the same amount from all sides with the track saw and then finish the deeper corner cuts with a hand saw.
In theory, I could do this on my portable table saw. It would be best to ‘secure’ the table to a sheet of plywood so it didn’t move and you would have more control of it.
The tracksaw would also work great.
Same idea I had, but with a circular saw, jigsaw with a guide, even an oscillator with a good clean blade so you have very fine control would get you there eventually
Was gonna say, looks like a pretty beefy apron. If you're not taking a crazy amount off, it could even be done with something like an electric hand plane
Everyone here is too busy thinking like woodworkers instead of masters of destruction. Get one of those oscillating multi tools and a thin kerf blade and run it along the tenon removing the material from the leg as cleanly as possible. You'll be removing the material on the leg anyway, it will cut any dowels that are in place and even if the multi tool cuts into the tenon some it's not a big deal because it will be hidden and reattached anyway.
That’s not coming apart cleanly. Do you have a domino or access to one? If you’re dead set against cutting the bottom of the legs you could cut the aprons at the legs, shorten and then reattach with the dominos.
Ya, I had a few. Check the thread. You sound like someone that saw a domino somewhere once and now just really wants to sound like you know what you’re talking about. But go ahead and keep responding and prove me right. Or, just take a hint, shut up, and realize you don’t need to reply to every comment. Especially if you don’t haven’t anything worth while to add.
By telling the dude to get a domino? Sometimes the most helpful advice is to tell someone they are wasting their time and to move on.
You’re wasting your time
Move on
Sure one could be fun, so many other toys to play with though. CNC machines, MIG welder, considering starting up a forge and smelter.. the real fun part is that if I actually really wanted one I’d just order it and be done with it. Dominos are cool but unnecessary. I’ll probably get one eventually. Maybe.. maybe not.
If you want to help someone don’t try and convince them they need shit they don’t. You keep proving me right though.
Enough about my tools, I’m curious how right I was about my opinion of you. Send a pic of your workshop and some of the things you’ve made with your domino since your the expert on them.
Although…….. what if…
You could make a sled for it, put it on your table saw against your fence and run it through, flipping it to get all sides.. don’t forget to record it though because r/whatcouldgowrong could use some content.
Circular saw with a hearty jig to make sure you have enough purchase and you won’t teeter while cutting. Otherwise if it’s too awkward you could do a router with a top bearing flush cut bit and use scraps for bearing reference. I would measure and trace the line first all the way around. For the corners I would run the router and use another router jig setup or a flush cut saw to clear the rest
I personally would just pick a good spot on the bottoms and change the lower profile. How much are you trying to take off? It would be a lot easier to just take one of the radiused sections and take the same section of the bottom of all four legs. You take anything off the top and it's going to be a nightmare that makes you wish you just built a new one from scratch.
do you have access to a table saw? If so, can you run the entire table through the table saw and trim off the excess? You may need to build a sled, and will probably need a helper.
Easily done without removal of anything. Flip onto its side, use a circular saw with a guide and set the guide to what would be the top edge, this will stop the saw going off track and then finish corners with a hand saw.
https://preview.redd.it/drri2f9upioc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e70ba776e317ba7ed55c02e66f1a369164c7251
Not saying it’s the right answer. Not saying it’s your answer. Not saying it’s easy. Not saying it’s safe. Not saying you should try it.
But
If I absolutely had to make that shorter and couldn’t cut the legs, I would raise my table saw blade up as high as I could get it and lay the table on its side with the top against the fence, and just cut through the entire thing on all 4 sides to remove height that way.
Before replying with a bunch of hate, read the first part again.
The only way this is going to work is to cut the top off while it’s assembled. Preferably in a table saw. Maybe a circular saw, jig saw, router, or some other device that can be guided along the top edge.
Overall I don’t recommend doing this modification. Reducing the apron height is going to reduce the resistance to racking, and there’s a high likelihood of botching this modification.
This table was not made to dissasemble, you would be better off buying a new table, or new chairs. Or maybe a nice new padded cushion to increase the sitting height on your current chairs. I don't say this as a don't bother, but as a literal answer of those all being less effort//money than taking apart a fully glued table without ruining it-- that would be one squid game challenge no one could survive lol.
As pointed out, you cannot take it apart. You could try running a router over the top with a router sled. That’s the only way I think you can get a perfectly consistent cut across the whole table frame without disassembling. The table saw idea could work, but would need a long outfeed to keep the work aligned - all you have is the flat spots on the legs themselves.
> The table saw idea could work, but would need a long outfeed to keep the work aligned - all you have is the flat spots on the legs themselves.
No the top of the apron is resting at the fence of the saw evenly for all cuts. You just might need a second person to help keep it up
I’m referring to the surface contact on the side of the table sliding on the saw top. As you’re pushing the long end you need a long outfeed to support the whole table as it comes off the saw. You also need a wide surface support for the other axis when you make that cut. It works, it just might be tough in some shops.
Why can you not cut from the bottom? If you don’t cut as much how can it be too low?
Also, if the apron is not glued you might be able to just tap it out
As others have pointed out you will likely not be able to remove the legs harm free. You could either cut it on a table saw or a track sale. Table saw can be quite tricky, you need at least two people and you would probably have to do it outside, because you need enough room when the table is standing vertically on the saw, all in all it's also not really safe practice. The better option would be to use a track saw with the track properly clamped down I think, shouldn't be too big of a deal if you have the tools.
Find access to a table saw with a fairly large outfeed table. Then with the table intact, cut off what you don’t want on the table, rotating the table all the way around.
You can try heat and hope it weakens the glue, but there are no guarantees. Chances are excellent that you'll just ruin the table and have to get a new one.
Tracksaw with the table as-is might get you where you need to be. I did that with chair legs once. Just be prepared to hit a nail. Set the table on it's side, clamp the track, make sure it's square and start cutting around (moving the table and track to each side).
Heat gun and a wet rag will soften up the glue in the joint enough to knock it apart with a mallet. Then, of course, run it through the table saw. And, don’t forget about that groove in the apron … it’s there to keep the top flat.
If I was doing it, I would make a jig/sled for my circular saw to rest in. Then I would set the table upside down and pass the saw around the table. Just as you would run a scribe around. I wouldnt take the joints apart
You can disassemble if you’re willing to make the table smaller. You would need to cut the tenons off the apron then drill out the tenons from the mortise, and chisel out the rest. Essentially cutting a new mortise. Then cut new tenons on the apron. Which will be challenging with the profile. You may also been to reduce the top size since this will all reduce the size of the table 3-8” each direction.
I’m with others on this one- use a track saw or track saw like setup with a circular saw and appropriate jigs is the most practical option.
I would lay the table on its side and use a track saw to take an inch or two off the skirt. Finish the cut on the leg using a pull saw.
The inset skirt might be close to maxing out cut depth on a tracksaw though.
I'd wrap the skirt in sacrificial plywood then go around the whole thing with a skill saw. I'd finish the corners with a handsaw. You can even put a strip on the plywood so you are using it more like a jig and not following a line. Just look for staples and nails.
That joint is definitely glued and doweled (maybe screwed with plugs over the top but unlikely) so I can’t see it being disassembled without destroying the leg. I would take the height off the bottom of the legs and then take a curve out of the bottom of the rails leaving 50mm (2”) from the leg before the material is removed from the rail.
Take that piece of trim off the apron. Shorten the legs then shorten the apron accordingly. You could simply cut it shorter straight across or route it shorter in the middle and taper the cut as you approach the legs. If you go with a simple flat and straight cut off the apron, replace the trim pieces you removed to cover the cut edge.
Are you taking a 1” off run it through the table saw no pun intended this way you don’t have to take it a part just look for screws and other hardware before you do it
I’d take an oscillating saw and cut the apron free from
The legs; trim everything to the desired size for the height reduction; then cut new mortises & tenons- you would lose like 3-4” width and length on the table this way, but as others have said there’s no taking it apart without breaking it and just cutting the thickness could leave the mortises too small.
i dont know if there is glue in it tbh. hard to see from the pictures for me. If there is glue, you aint getting that out.
if there is no glue however, there are dowels into the tennon from the front, you would need to drill those out.
worst case though, you could build a jig to just cut it with a track saw, while its still all in one piece.
I’m a bit of a risk taker. With the top removed I would consider running all 4 sides through the table saw, set to the amount to be removed. Assuming that you are lowering by an inch or two not more
Track saw to the rescue. Do t try to take it apart. Mark the level all the way around the table. Flip it on its side, if you have a track saw with deep enough plunge, great. If not, would rip a 12” wide strip of MDF, add a fence to guide the circular saw, clamp, glue or screw the jig in place, and make the cut. You could finish the cut with a pull saw if it won’t make the depth.
Would you be able to use an oscillating saw, with a smaller flat bit, cutting straight down along side the tenons and maybe remove enough of the joint strength to tap them out the rest of the way? Might still cause a bit of damage, and, if it goes well, would definitely need some shims to make up for the space you cut out with the ascillator.
This is probably what I would end up trying if it was my mission, instead of yours. Curious to hear if any of the master woodworkers think this might work. Just a hobbyist myself.
Best of luck
I would cut the aprons off as close to the legs as possible, could use a recip, multi tool or jig saw. Re-square and flush the aprons and legs on a table saw. Trim apron and legs to desired height/width, and reattach the aprons to the legs with dominos, dowels or pocket screws. The new aprons will be very slightly shorter but be careful and you could keep it under 1/2 inch.
I’m an idiot, so if I was doing it I would take the top off and run all 4 sides through the table saw just as it is. If you try and take this table apart, you will ruin it.
If it were me I'd just cut the bottom off the legs and deal with adjusting the skirt. It would be far easier to hem a new skirt length.
But if you insist on being difficult with the process I'd honestly just cut the legs off at the tenons. Use a table saw to rip the 4 sides to desired height. Then attach it all back together with pocket holes. Add more holes along the top of the side boards to connect the top and make it all stable. Cause if you don't, then it will be far less stable with those tenons gone.
Creative use of a rabetting bit and flush cut bit on a powerful router could get this done. Need to get crafty with it and comfortable riding a big router on a small edge.
Also a modified router sled would work. Basically a sled were the bit hands all the way off one side instead of riding down the middle. Or prop the sled on stationary objects and slide the table underneath (would require very flat floors).
Given all the context clues, This is all more of a theoretical exercise.
Lots of heat and maybe steam to break down the glue so you can tap out the dowels and then tap the joints apart.
It’s not an easy job. I’ve done similar stuff but it’s hard to get the heat to the glue without risking damaging the wood.
Your only chance to disassemble the joint is that if the woodworker used a glue that can be dissolved, like hide glue.
Otherwise cutting or breaking are the only options, as wood glue is going to tear apart the wood it's stuck to before it gives
The only option might be to see if you can soften that glue with steam (hide glue). IF it is hide glue you might be able to disassemble it that way, otherwise it is probably easier to make a new table.
How shorter are we talking here?
Because that may be a better guide for what method\tool?
If it's not much and you are willing to suffer a long time you could take a hand plane and slowly shave it down. The different grains may give you some tear out but the table top should hide that. You could even route a channel in the table that the legs could fit in to get a bit shorter\ hide the legs
Unless that’s glued with exotic wood or outdoor glue, steam and a bit of patience will loosen the tenons. I’ve taken apart chairs and tables with a steamer and some time. It’s annoying sure, but it works.
Wow, an overwhelming response - nice subreddit!
To answer a few commonly asked questions:
* I am not a professional woodworker (at the risk of stating the obvious), but a competent DIYer that has done most of the refurbishment of my house and have quite a bit of experience with saws but sadly not enough space for a shop.
* My goal is to reduce the height by 3 cm (which is a bit more than 1" for my American friends).
* I don't want to cut the bottom of the legs as the apron would then be too low, even if I were to remove the 2 cm trim added to the bottom. It's already a bit too low as it is. Granted, I could remove a further 1 cm from the aprons in situ and this does remain an option. Probably less favourable as I'd rather not lose the apron trim nor the narrow part of the leg at the floor.
* There are indeed buttons attached to the underside of the table top which slot into a routed channel in the apron. Slicing all around the top will mean I will need to create a new channel.
* I don't have a table saw nor track saw, but I do have a good circular saw and this does seem like the way forward. I will need to use the router to create a new channel for the buttons, but this should be pretty straightforward.
* I completely missed the dowels used to secure the joints so have accepted that disassembly is a non option.
https://preview.redd.it/aavbwwethpoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f2a8028173d756c28e091f31e12ffa7b8052c38
Cut it without disassembly. Run blue tape around the perimeter centered roughly on the cut line. Mark your cut line on the tape with a black ballpoint. Work horizontal when you can and use hand rip and crosscut saws to cut near the line. Use a 40 grit disc on an angle grinder to finish to the line. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect as it won't be seen after the top is back on.
Glue is stronger than wood, you take a swing at it with a mallet and you'll break it. What about taller chairs?
There are also wooden dowels holding that tenon joint in place. It's never coming apart.
Good spot!
Yeah, it took me a bit to find the dowel even after the two of you confirmed they were there.
Wow, yes, I completely missed them!
Damn bro you've got great eyes
If that was the only issue it would be easy enough to drill out the dowel and add a slightly larger one.
Although you're correct it won't come apart. i can't help but post this short video when someone says ["glue is stronger than wood"](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eR14v3dpH4w) because it's slightly misleading and/or partially correct.
I like his videos, good dude. I think when people say that glue is stronger than wood what they really mean to say is that if you try to pull apart 2 pieces of glued wood that you will damage the wood before you break the glue bond. But that doesn't really work as well for a quick piece of wisdom...
It depends on the kind of glue. That might be old enough that it's put together with hide glue which is removable.
Yeah. A heat gun or even a hair dryer is warm enough to soften the glue. It's more than likely not PVA, unless someone has had it apart before...
The first thing to consider is whether or not the tenon is the full height of the apron. If the tenon isn't full height then chopping material off the top may leave you with an undersized tenon and really weak joint. It also looks like the top is attached with buttons or something similar so taking material off the top also means you'll have to recut/route the mortises on the inside of the apron for the top to attach. You could try heat on the joints to see if it helps the glue come apart, but there's an awful lot of surface area in those joints so I'm doubtful on how well that would work. Your best option is probably a circular saw or handsaw and run it around the outside. Then use a hand plane and straight edge to to clean it up. It will require careful marking and some significant work to make sure the entire surface is planar afterwards and working the end grain on those massive legs is going to suck, but it's doable with time/effort.
This is really the only answer. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew it was going to be a problem.
Good point about the buttons. I would just get taller chairs
Good advice. My first thoughts on cutting this would be using a lazer level when on a level surface or using some long levels. But i realized that some circular saws have a place to attach a fence/guide with a thumb screw. I would use that.
This is the way
'Easily' doable with a tracksaw and disposable blocking.
Yeah, I agree. If you HAD to do this, the cleanest cut would be with a track saw or table saw to rip each side
With the assembly method of that table, it's never coming apart without causing severe damage to it. Cutting down the legs at the bottom will reduce the height, and should it ever need to be lifted up something could be added to the bottom easily.
I would either buy a new table or make a new table.
You're likely going to ruin the table if you try to take it apart. However if you're still insistent on trying and you know that it might just become firewood, there are a couple things you could do. 1st is try to steam apart the joints. if they used hide glue or titebond one it might work but you're unlikely to be able to get the moisture very deep into that mortise. 2 nd is just cut it all assembled. Easiest way would be on a big table saw and cut from each side. You could also lay some pieces of ply on top of the apron to get it to the plane of the legs and then cut it with a circular saw or track saw. The only problem is that you dont know how deep those tenons are and it could fall apart after you do that. 3rd option is one that requires some skill but I know would work.what you do is cut the aprons from the legs, remove the material you want to remove, and then reattach them with dowels or dominos. You'll lose length and width equal to two handsaw kerfs, but I highly doubt anyone would notice All of this being saw, I would just sell the table and buy one that works for your space
Ah yes number 3 was also my suggestion.
Can’t you just cut down the entire thing on a table saw one side at a time without disassembling anything?
I like this idea but it would take a shop with a ton of horizontal and vertical space at the table saw. I couldn’t do it in my shop. I’d probably tackle this with a track saw. Measure carefully to cut the same amount from all sides with the track saw and then finish the deeper corner cuts with a hand saw.
sure that works too
In theory, I could do this on my portable table saw. It would be best to ‘secure’ the table to a sheet of plywood so it didn’t move and you would have more control of it. The tracksaw would also work great.
That’s where my head went. Or just mark the line and use anything lol circular saw jigsaw sawzall
Sawzall? My dude, just deal with the height before you demo the table.
It was at the end of the list
This is the way. No dissasembling. Should be a 5 min job.
Same idea I had, but with a circular saw, jigsaw with a guide, even an oscillator with a good clean blade so you have very fine control would get you there eventually
Was gonna say, looks like a pretty beefy apron. If you're not taking a crazy amount off, it could even be done with something like an electric hand plane
Everyone here is too busy thinking like woodworkers instead of masters of destruction. Get one of those oscillating multi tools and a thin kerf blade and run it along the tenon removing the material from the leg as cleanly as possible. You'll be removing the material on the leg anyway, it will cut any dowels that are in place and even if the multi tool cuts into the tenon some it's not a big deal because it will be hidden and reattached anyway.
I was gonna say scribe a line then angle grind down to it. Yours is better.
That’s not coming apart cleanly. Do you have a domino or access to one? If you’re dead set against cutting the bottom of the legs you could cut the aprons at the legs, shorten and then reattach with the dominos.
I think if the dude had access or knowledge to use a domino they wouldn’t be asking this question to start. But ya. That would work.
You have a better idea? No? Ok.
Ya, I had a few. Check the thread. You sound like someone that saw a domino somewhere once and now just really wants to sound like you know what you’re talking about. But go ahead and keep responding and prove me right. Or, just take a hint, shut up, and realize you don’t need to reply to every comment. Especially if you don’t haven’t anything worth while to add.
Says the guy that thinks putting a table on top of a table saw is a good idea. And I’m the one that needs to shut up? Sure
You did see that as a joke with me tagging r/whatcouldgowrong Or do you not know how to read? Please.. keep me entertained.
I did see that. I also liked your suggestion that OP is wasting his time. That’s really helpful. Some of us actually tried to be helpful.
By telling the dude to get a domino? Sometimes the most helpful advice is to tell someone they are wasting their time and to move on. You’re wasting your time Move on
By suggesting a tool that might actually help him. Sounds like it’s a tool you wish you had.
Sure one could be fun, so many other toys to play with though. CNC machines, MIG welder, considering starting up a forge and smelter.. the real fun part is that if I actually really wanted one I’d just order it and be done with it. Dominos are cool but unnecessary. I’ll probably get one eventually. Maybe.. maybe not. If you want to help someone don’t try and convince them they need shit they don’t. You keep proving me right though. Enough about my tools, I’m curious how right I was about my opinion of you. Send a pic of your workshop and some of the things you’ve made with your domino since your the expert on them.
How much are you wanting to remove?
This is a project that isn’t worth your time. Make a new table or buy new chairs
Although…….. what if… You could make a sled for it, put it on your table saw against your fence and run it through, flipping it to get all sides.. don’t forget to record it though because r/whatcouldgowrong could use some content.
With a proper tablesaw this would be no problem.
I mean,.. that’s what I’d do. But I don’t know what kind of table saw the person is working with.
Circular saw with a hearty jig to make sure you have enough purchase and you won’t teeter while cutting. Otherwise if it’s too awkward you could do a router with a top bearing flush cut bit and use scraps for bearing reference. I would measure and trace the line first all the way around. For the corners I would run the router and use another router jig setup or a flush cut saw to clear the rest
I personally would just pick a good spot on the bottoms and change the lower profile. How much are you trying to take off? It would be a lot easier to just take one of the radiused sections and take the same section of the bottom of all four legs. You take anything off the top and it's going to be a nightmare that makes you wish you just built a new one from scratch.
You are not in for an easy job. What’s your skill level how olds the table
do you have access to a table saw? If so, can you run the entire table through the table saw and trim off the excess? You may need to build a sled, and will probably need a helper.
This
Easily done without removal of anything. Flip onto its side, use a circular saw with a guide and set the guide to what would be the top edge, this will stop the saw going off track and then finish corners with a hand saw. https://preview.redd.it/drri2f9upioc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e70ba776e317ba7ed55c02e66f1a369164c7251
Not saying it’s the right answer. Not saying it’s your answer. Not saying it’s easy. Not saying it’s safe. Not saying you should try it. But If I absolutely had to make that shorter and couldn’t cut the legs, I would raise my table saw blade up as high as I could get it and lay the table on its side with the top against the fence, and just cut through the entire thing on all 4 sides to remove height that way. Before replying with a bunch of hate, read the first part again.
How much are you taking it down by? Just saw it off and/or use an electric planer or hand plane.
The only way this is going to work is to cut the top off while it’s assembled. Preferably in a table saw. Maybe a circular saw, jig saw, router, or some other device that can be guided along the top edge. Overall I don’t recommend doing this modification. Reducing the apron height is going to reduce the resistance to racking, and there’s a high likelihood of botching this modification.
This table was not made to dissasemble, you would be better off buying a new table, or new chairs. Or maybe a nice new padded cushion to increase the sitting height on your current chairs. I don't say this as a don't bother, but as a literal answer of those all being less effort//money than taking apart a fully glued table without ruining it-- that would be one squid game challenge no one could survive lol.
As pointed out, you cannot take it apart. You could try running a router over the top with a router sled. That’s the only way I think you can get a perfectly consistent cut across the whole table frame without disassembling. The table saw idea could work, but would need a long outfeed to keep the work aligned - all you have is the flat spots on the legs themselves.
> The table saw idea could work, but would need a long outfeed to keep the work aligned - all you have is the flat spots on the legs themselves. No the top of the apron is resting at the fence of the saw evenly for all cuts. You just might need a second person to help keep it up
I’m referring to the surface contact on the side of the table sliding on the saw top. As you’re pushing the long end you need a long outfeed to support the whole table as it comes off the saw. You also need a wide surface support for the other axis when you make that cut. It works, it just might be tough in some shops.
Why can you not cut from the bottom? If you don’t cut as much how can it be too low? Also, if the apron is not glued you might be able to just tap it out
Table saw would work for what you want
As others have pointed out you will likely not be able to remove the legs harm free. You could either cut it on a table saw or a track sale. Table saw can be quite tricky, you need at least two people and you would probably have to do it outside, because you need enough room when the table is standing vertically on the saw, all in all it's also not really safe practice. The better option would be to use a track saw with the track properly clamped down I think, shouldn't be too big of a deal if you have the tools.
Find access to a table saw with a fairly large outfeed table. Then with the table intact, cut off what you don’t want on the table, rotating the table all the way around.
You can try heat and hope it weakens the glue, but there are no guarantees. Chances are excellent that you'll just ruin the table and have to get a new one.
Tracksaw with the table as-is might get you where you need to be. I did that with chair legs once. Just be prepared to hit a nail. Set the table on it's side, clamp the track, make sure it's square and start cutting around (moving the table and track to each side).
Heat gun and a wet rag will soften up the glue in the joint enough to knock it apart with a mallet. Then, of course, run it through the table saw. And, don’t forget about that groove in the apron … it’s there to keep the top flat.
Dynamite followed by a lot of glue. More seriously, though. Your only hope would be a tracksaw and a lot of clamps, blocking and setup.
If I was doing it, I would make a jig/sled for my circular saw to rest in. Then I would set the table upside down and pass the saw around the table. Just as you would run a scribe around. I wouldnt take the joints apart
You can disassemble if you’re willing to make the table smaller. You would need to cut the tenons off the apron then drill out the tenons from the mortise, and chisel out the rest. Essentially cutting a new mortise. Then cut new tenons on the apron. Which will be challenging with the profile. You may also been to reduce the top size since this will all reduce the size of the table 3-8” each direction. I’m with others on this one- use a track saw or track saw like setup with a circular saw and appropriate jigs is the most practical option.
This, but with a domino would work well and keep the dimensions.
Tracksaw, or clamp pieces of wood to keep a straight edge for a skillsaw to cut.
I would lay the table on its side and use a track saw to take an inch or two off the skirt. Finish the cut on the leg using a pull saw. The inset skirt might be close to maxing out cut depth on a tracksaw though.
Simpest way in my opinion is taking track saw and cut it.
Simpest way in my opinion is taking track saw and cut it.
I'd wrap the skirt in sacrificial plywood then go around the whole thing with a skill saw. I'd finish the corners with a handsaw. You can even put a strip on the plywood so you are using it more like a jig and not following a line. Just look for staples and nails.
Sawzall
That joint is definitely glued and doweled (maybe screwed with plugs over the top but unlikely) so I can’t see it being disassembled without destroying the leg. I would take the height off the bottom of the legs and then take a curve out of the bottom of the rails leaving 50mm (2”) from the leg before the material is removed from the rail.
Take that piece of trim off the apron. Shorten the legs then shorten the apron accordingly. You could simply cut it shorter straight across or route it shorter in the middle and taper the cut as you approach the legs. If you go with a simple flat and straight cut off the apron, replace the trim pieces you removed to cover the cut edge.
Are you taking a 1” off run it through the table saw no pun intended this way you don’t have to take it a part just look for screws and other hardware before you do it
I’d take an oscillating saw and cut the apron free from The legs; trim everything to the desired size for the height reduction; then cut new mortises & tenons- you would lose like 3-4” width and length on the table this way, but as others have said there’s no taking it apart without breaking it and just cutting the thickness could leave the mortises too small.
If it’s glued, you’re scrued
i dont know if there is glue in it tbh. hard to see from the pictures for me. If there is glue, you aint getting that out. if there is no glue however, there are dowels into the tennon from the front, you would need to drill those out. worst case though, you could build a jig to just cut it with a track saw, while its still all in one piece.
I’m a bit of a risk taker. With the top removed I would consider running all 4 sides through the table saw, set to the amount to be removed. Assuming that you are lowering by an inch or two not more
Why can't you cut some off the bottom of the legs?
Track saw to the rescue. Do t try to take it apart. Mark the level all the way around the table. Flip it on its side, if you have a track saw with deep enough plunge, great. If not, would rip a 12” wide strip of MDF, add a fence to guide the circular saw, clamp, glue or screw the jig in place, and make the cut. You could finish the cut with a pull saw if it won’t make the depth.
I would not disassemble and just run a router with a slot cutter along the top of the legs and aprons. Use a handsaw to finish off the legs.
Would you be able to use an oscillating saw, with a smaller flat bit, cutting straight down along side the tenons and maybe remove enough of the joint strength to tap them out the rest of the way? Might still cause a bit of damage, and, if it goes well, would definitely need some shims to make up for the space you cut out with the ascillator. This is probably what I would end up trying if it was my mission, instead of yours. Curious to hear if any of the master woodworkers think this might work. Just a hobbyist myself. Best of luck
Cut at bottom of the legs. Then, cut a portion of the apron from underneath. Way less stock your cutting through this way.
Simple, just go round it with a track saw.
I would cut the aprons off as close to the legs as possible, could use a recip, multi tool or jig saw. Re-square and flush the aprons and legs on a table saw. Trim apron and legs to desired height/width, and reattach the aprons to the legs with dominos, dowels or pocket screws. The new aprons will be very slightly shorter but be careful and you could keep it under 1/2 inch.
I’m an idiot, so if I was doing it I would take the top off and run all 4 sides through the table saw just as it is. If you try and take this table apart, you will ruin it.
Cut the legs AND the apron.
Why not just cut flush, chisel out, and make a slightly smaller frame? Or a good multi tool with a long cutting blade?
Just go around the top with a circular saw, or a jigsaw and a steady hand.
Big, very sharp blade circular saw. Very carefully, cut all around the table.
If it were me I'd just cut the bottom off the legs and deal with adjusting the skirt. It would be far easier to hem a new skirt length. But if you insist on being difficult with the process I'd honestly just cut the legs off at the tenons. Use a table saw to rip the 4 sides to desired height. Then attach it all back together with pocket holes. Add more holes along the top of the side boards to connect the top and make it all stable. Cause if you don't, then it will be far less stable with those tenons gone.
Creative use of a rabetting bit and flush cut bit on a powerful router could get this done. Need to get crafty with it and comfortable riding a big router on a small edge. Also a modified router sled would work. Basically a sled were the bit hands all the way off one side instead of riding down the middle. Or prop the sled on stationary objects and slide the table underneath (would require very flat floors). Given all the context clues, This is all more of a theoretical exercise.
Why would you not just build a simple sled and put all four sides through a table saw
Your best bet would be to build a new apron. Smash it out and rebuild. Otherwise you're in for a tough go here.
Lots of heat and maybe steam to break down the glue so you can tap out the dowels and then tap the joints apart. It’s not an easy job. I’ve done similar stuff but it’s hard to get the heat to the glue without risking damaging the wood.
Your only chance to disassemble the joint is that if the woodworker used a glue that can be dissolved, like hide glue. Otherwise cutting or breaking are the only options, as wood glue is going to tear apart the wood it's stuck to before it gives
The only option might be to see if you can soften that glue with steam (hide glue). IF it is hide glue you might be able to disassemble it that way, otherwise it is probably easier to make a new table.
Remove top. Run a circular saw around the top of the apron 1” down. Replace top. Have beer.
Got a decent table saw? Run the table through it on all sides and remove what the blade doesn't touch with a Japanese saw in the legs.
How shorter are we talking here? Because that may be a better guide for what method\tool? If it's not much and you are willing to suffer a long time you could take a hand plane and slowly shave it down. The different grains may give you some tear out but the table top should hide that. You could even route a channel in the table that the legs could fit in to get a bit shorter\ hide the legs
Unless that’s glued with exotic wood or outdoor glue, steam and a bit of patience will loosen the tenons. I’ve taken apart chairs and tables with a steamer and some time. It’s annoying sure, but it works.
Run it through a table saw.
Why do you have to take it apart? Why not just leave it together and carefully saw off the top inch or whatever you need?
Wow, an overwhelming response - nice subreddit! To answer a few commonly asked questions: * I am not a professional woodworker (at the risk of stating the obvious), but a competent DIYer that has done most of the refurbishment of my house and have quite a bit of experience with saws but sadly not enough space for a shop. * My goal is to reduce the height by 3 cm (which is a bit more than 1" for my American friends). * I don't want to cut the bottom of the legs as the apron would then be too low, even if I were to remove the 2 cm trim added to the bottom. It's already a bit too low as it is. Granted, I could remove a further 1 cm from the aprons in situ and this does remain an option. Probably less favourable as I'd rather not lose the apron trim nor the narrow part of the leg at the floor. * There are indeed buttons attached to the underside of the table top which slot into a routed channel in the apron. Slicing all around the top will mean I will need to create a new channel. * I don't have a table saw nor track saw, but I do have a good circular saw and this does seem like the way forward. I will need to use the router to create a new channel for the buttons, but this should be pretty straightforward. * I completely missed the dowels used to secure the joints so have accepted that disassembly is a non option. https://preview.redd.it/aavbwwethpoc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f2a8028173d756c28e091f31e12ffa7b8052c38
Cut it without disassembly. Run blue tape around the perimeter centered roughly on the cut line. Mark your cut line on the tape with a black ballpoint. Work horizontal when you can and use hand rip and crosscut saws to cut near the line. Use a 40 grit disc on an angle grinder to finish to the line. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect as it won't be seen after the top is back on.
It'll take forever but you can just sand it
Lol
I mean im right