We have currently been working on a 10ft long table in walnut. The clients wanted a Celtic knot work design on the table edges. I designed a carving which is on each corner where the rope design looks as if it continuously weaves along the edge, over the top and down on the the other edge. Our biggest problem was how to carve the two ends. The easiest way to carve it is to take away the some of the waste with a router. The only way to safely do this is to used the router in a horizontal position. In the picture you can see how we solved the problem. Thankfully my workshop is an old garage with a 5ft deep pit. With the help of my Dad and his ropes and pulleys we hosted the table top in the roof, swung in over the pit and lowered it into the abbess. We were then able to stand on a step ladder and carve the end grain quite easily. It worked perfectly and the table top didn't even get a scratch.
