I made one of those tables at a woodworking school. The instructor strongly suggested making the base from 2 halves with the grain running along the lenght of each half thereby the grain appearing to run diagonally when the table is finished. The original plan had the leg grain running horz. The deep mortise runs all the way through the curved leg base. If you wish I can send you a photo. I Like your grain running vertically though. Perhaps it depends on the wood type you choose. Mine was made from cherry.
I am building the Harvard Shaker Trestle Side Table that appears on page
> 156 of "Making Authentic Shaker Furniture" by John G. Shea. I had planned
> on cutting out the foot, the round part of the leg bottom, so that the
> grain runs horizontal; however, I am reconsidering...
>
> I could glue up boards and cut the foot so the grain runs vertically,
> matching the straight part of the leg. This would also solve the problem of
> chopping the deep mortis that accepts the tenon from the leg. I could cut
> each foot half, then cut the mortis on the TS, then glue up the foot. My
> concern is that the foot will be weak and split/break from weight on the > tabletop. >
> Any thoughts on this? I am still leaning towards horizontal.