What is the point of the Rocker Table? The rocker table is a series of vertical risers that matches the board rocker (fore-aft) as well as the ribs contours (side-to-side.) This system provides a solid base to build your board on and allows you to easily build large panels panels on a flat surface and then attach them to the fishbone skeleton in one step. The greatest benefit of this method of building is the board is supported though-out the entire building process. This ensures the finished board is straight, true and free from unwanted twists.
Building a rocker table can be as simple as a stacking of blocks of wood to the required heights as pictured above but by using plywood risers you can press the bottom contours (side-to-side) into the board at the same time.
The bottom skin of the board is sandwiched between the bottom of the fishbone’s rib and the matching riser of the rocker table. This sandwiching effect ensures the desired concave, flats, and tail vee exactly matches what was intended.
Our plans and CNC fishbone kits include full-sized templates for making you own rocker table out of half a sheet of plywood. You simply attach the template to a piece of plywood and cut out the risers.
The ladder style rocker table that was used to build this board is leaning against the wall. I cut dadoes in a 2″x 3″ board to hold the risers in the vertical position as I knew I was going to use this over and over but I usually just screw the risers to the face of assemble table rungs.
