Popular Post Robby W Posted January 11, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 This is a project from the not too distant past. My church needed something to hold the prayer request box, (I didn't make that), so I came up with this table. I built this table as an experiment in proportions and I am not sure I am completely satisfied with the result. It is a pretty little table, and is tall for its height. The top is 14" wide by 8" deep. If I remember correctly, it is about 30" tall. The bottom edges of the top are beveled to make it look lighter. The table is made from alder left over from another project, which turned out to be too springy, so the table legs are kind of twitchy. The aprons are joined with mortise and tenon joints. You can't see it in the photos, but one of the side aprons is actually a little hidden drawer with a latch underneath. You can't even see the drawer unless you know where it is. There are a couple of piece supporting the drawer, one above and one below, set in with mortise and tenon on the bottom, dovetail on the top. Little drawer runners were glued to the sides of the apron. The two small pieces ended up causing a weak spot because the pieces were so small. When someone knocked the table over, it broke. I ended up replacing the broken parts and inletting a piece of thin plywood under the top to give some extra strength to the table for the next time the gorillas knock it over. I finished the table with a dye and garnet shellac. I do like the way the finish turned out. Up close, it looks very rich and is nice to touch. Comments on proportions would be appreciated. Here is a lower shot, showing the beveled top better. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Nice looking table.. Super thin / delicate design. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Real Nice. What kind of wood? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Hi, Chet - I made it from red alder. I helped a friend make a bed and has some left over. Not my favorite wood. It finishes nicely, but it makes me sneeze a lot and burns when you power sand it. It is a good stand-in for cherry, but it doesn't have the nice solid feel of cherry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Very nicely done. With three munchins tearing through the house all of the time I'll have to wait a bit before making something like this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I like the table..Looks well done..Thanks for posting this Robby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Grondin Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 Very sharp looking table. Good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted August 16, 2016 Report Share Posted August 16, 2016 Either less overhang and a tad shorter or slightly thicker legs and less overhang might look better and tip less. I draw pieces full size on 1/4" MDF to see the proportions before cutting parts. If the same bevel stopped about 1/4" from the legs that might also decrease the tendency to tip. Wider base under the same sized top. Leg changes could be minimal yet be just enough to stiffen them up. I must have missed this post because I was busy putting my shop back together in January. Congrats on a good looking table ! Finish does look nice. My only complaint about alder is its a bit to soft so it collects dents easily. It does take color well especially if you want a darker finish and a less expensive wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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