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I've been on LJ's for a while and have yet to use this "My Projects" deal… so bear with me. Someone requested that I put up some of the build pictures for this table. I apologize that there aren't many build photos as I wasn't planning on sharing this.

I ran across a Paul Sellers coffee table build a while back about the same time that I got a bunch of reclaimed oak and beach from an in-laws cabin in West Virginia. The cabin was built in early 19-who-knows-when and most of the wood I got was 3-4" thick rafters all about 10' long. Absolutely none of it was square. Heavy twist and cupping as well as some very old powderpost beetle damage. But I live in Texas and we don't ever just luck into that much solid oak… so what to do with it? I don't own a power jointer/planer so I started squaring it up by hand (which is normal for me and I'm one of the weirdos that enjoys that).

About a week into the planing process, I got a little nostalgic thinking about how people worked wood in the good ol days and decided I would build a coffee table (which the wife had requested) without the use of any power tools. I enjoy hand tool work, but own a respectable amount of powered tools that get used often. I am not a neanderthal purist or anything, this just sounded like a fun challenge. I know I can build a piece of "fine furniture" with all my regular tools, but this would be the first large piece attempted with only muscle power.

I liked the basic design of the table Sellers had made, but if I wasn't going to use the table saw or router, I was going to cut joinery that I enjoy. The tusked through tenon's kinda throw you out of whack if you try and classify the style of the piece but I really like the engineering of that joint as well as the aesthetics. If it bothers you, sorry, not sorry :)

The last photo is a prototype table that I built out of SPF 2×4's from big box. I wanted a dry run to proof out all the joinery, dimensions and design. You'll notice a few small differences but I kept most of it. The tusked tenon is gigantic on that prototype table as I have never cut that in soft wood and didn't want it to split when I drove the tusk in. If you design your own furniture and don't make prototypes, you should. I almost always end up slapping some finish on them and selling/gifting them.

Anyway, that's my Hand Tool Challenge (which I don't think is a thing but maybe we should make it one?) build. It took approximately 400% longer to not use any electrons but I have to say that - despite how cheesy it may sound - I have a much deeper connection/pride with this piece of furniture than I think I have to any other.

Gallery

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Really nice looking table. Having made it entirely by hand sets the bar even higher. I think the tusk tenons work quite well. I don't think you violated any style or design with them. I would still call this an Arts and Crafts or Craftsman style.

Hopefully, you will post more of your projects!!!
 

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Very cool. I have been trying to do more by hand as well. And I have to say it is a workout. My wife asked if I wanted to go to the gym and I said I already worked out making something. She was skeptical. I think you actually have to prep some wood by hand to understand what a workout it actually is. I'm actually building the Pekovich hanging tool cabinet and trying to do MOST of it by hand. Slow going, but very rewarding.
 

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Thanks Earl! I'm carving a cake stand currently for a wedding cake and I'll try to remember to post some pics.

SMP, I saw that tool cabinet on YT last week and I'd be interested to see what you come up with. I built a hanging tool cabinet years ago that (like so many of my shop fixtures) was built with speed/utility in mind. I've added a few tools and realized I don't use others as much as I did at the time and that Pekovich cabinet has me thinking that it's time to start thinking about a prettier cabinet for my go-to hand tools.

I'd also like to mention that it was really enjoyable to slow down on this one. There is a lot of thinking and inspiration that strikes when you're chiseling 1/2" mortises through 3.5" of solid oak…. And, yes. Prepping lumber by hand certainly qualifies as a work out.
 

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Outstanding work. It looks great.
 

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Fantastic work, great looking table.
Really well done. I,d bet your satisfaction levels where sky high.
Regards
Anth
 

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Great work, and a good looking table. Paul Sellers has definitely inspired me to start using hand tools a lot more as well, but my hand tool skills still have a ways to go before I can complete a whole project unplugged.
 

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Absolutely fantastic craftmanship and design! I would have hard time to make it even with electric tools!
 
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