So I’ve been working on this project since January. Its been a really fun and very educational experience. There have been lots of “firsts.” This semester I have been taking a Woodworking Class at my local community college. Although the class isn’t really geared toward any particular set of woodworking skills it has given me an opportunity to build a project under the supervision of a more “seasoned” woodworker.
When the class began we were instructed to choose a plan for a project that we would like to complete. I had been working on some designs in SketchUp prior to that and decided to build one of them. I had promised to build a nightstand for my wife for Christmas so I already had purchased the lumber.
In this post I’ll include several pictures and a few iPhone videos that I’ve taken along the way. When I finally finish the project, I’ll post it on my projects page.
Here’s a couple of images of the SketchUp model that I did…
I could have waited till later to do this but here is an image of how I glued up the table top from two pieces using biscuits to help align it. That was the first time I’d used a biscuit joiner and I’ve gotta say, I think I’m gonna have to get me one…
Here are a few pictures of my clamping strategy. You may notice that some of the pictures are taken in different shops. That’s because I did the majority of the first steps at school and have been doing some “homework” in my own shop.
In these pictures you can see how things are coming together:
I saved the drawer for last, probably because I found it intimidating. I wanted to do half blind dovetails to show a nice touch of craftsmanship but I had never done it before. I don’t have a router table or a dovetail jig but I do have a dozuki and some chisels. (I did cheat a little bit though, I used the scroll saw to cut out the tails.)
Here’s a little video of my FIRST DOVETAILS EVER!!!
You can tell that I am less than impressed with my results on the first go-around but “practice makes perfect”, right?
Here are a couple pictures of the half blinds that I did. The first one is right after I got them fit and the second is after I glued the drawer together and sanded the sides nice and flat. I made all of the pins a bit long so that I could sand them flush once it was glued up… (To fill the gaps in my joints I mixed up some two part structural epoxy with some sanding dust)
And finally, here’s a little video tour of the table before I did the drawer…
I’ve been experimenting with some finishes that I’m considering so I’ll show some of that as I get some pictures and video.
*By the way, has anybody used the Behlen’s Water Based Grain Filler? I haven’t been getting really good results with my experiments… It could definitely be user error… but maybe that stuff just sucks?... any advice would be appreciated…
-- Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)
10 comments so far
CaptainSkully
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1615 posts in 5049 days
#1 posted 05-08-2010 12:39 AM
That is an unbelievably nice table!
-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails
azwoodman
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132 posts in 4871 days
#2 posted 05-08-2010 12:41 AM
Thanks Captain!
-- Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)
Dave Price
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#3 posted 05-08-2010 01:22 AM
very nice table, i have never attempted any dovetails they are intimidating.
-- Dave Price , Roswell New Mexico
Todd A. Clippinger
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8901 posts in 5590 days
#4 posted 05-08-2010 04:37 PM
Coming along man!
Don’t sweat it on the dovetails. I have projects around the house and with friends and family that show how far I have come. It is fun to look back on those projects and remember all the lessons learned on each one.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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8901 posts in 5590 days
#5 posted 05-08-2010 04:40 PM
I agree with Jarrod. The real sophistication of your design is the subtlety of the curved legs.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Beginningwoodworker
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13345 posts in 5163 days
#6 posted 05-08-2010 04:47 PM
Thats going to be a nice table.
azwoodman
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132 posts in 4871 days
#7 posted 05-08-2010 10:38 PM
Thanks guys!
-- Spencer, Gilbert Az (http://www.azwoodshop.com)
Walt M.
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245 posts in 4501 days
#8 posted 05-10-2010 05:15 PM
Nice job guy
bigike
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#9 posted 05-10-2010 05:37 PM
I would have to agree with the cap. very nice job.
-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://[email protected]
Bert_8
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2 posts in 866 days
#10 posted 02-10-2020 06:59 AM
When class initiated we got to know about how to select the plan for a program we needed to finish. Did he offer online assignment help to me? I’ve been working on some of the designs at SketchUp before and decided to build one of them. I had promised to build a nightclub for my wife for Christmas so I had already bought a large tree.
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