So, about a dozen+ years ago, SWMBO and I got hitched. One of our wedding gifts was a very nice solid wood bench in a (i think) shaker style construction. We use it as a coffee table, and its solid as a rock. My FIL has commented on it just about every single time he's seen it.
Well, fast forward to this past summer, and hes started talking about how he wants a new coffee table in his living room. Now, he has just about everything he could want as far as garage/gearhead stuff is concerned, and has the discretionary budget for just about everything else. Thing is, he HATES shopping, especially for home decor stuff. He actually has a decent sense of style (kind of country I guess, but neat and tidy), just has no interest in looking at stores for things.
LIGHTBULB lets get him a new coffee table for Christmas...or better yet, make one!
So, I took some measurements from our coffee table (very similar to this one)
Then I bought some lumber. This is poplar - chosen for its sweeping grain. I had to stick to finished lumber vs rough sawn because I dont own a planer or tablesaw.
Started making some miters (btw, taking the time to true up your miter saw does incredible things to your accuracy...who knew?)
Pocket holes...where have you been all my life?
Start assembling
Lay your top on the newly assmbled legs...the woodworking equivalent to making vroom vroom noises in your freshly welded roll cage
a few more cuts and you have a frame taking shape
A few more bits and some plugs...
And with a little luck, you have a table!
So, those of you who know what youre looking at will wonder why there are mortise and tennon looking joints...aesthetics. I dont have nearly the equipment or know-how to master those kinds of joints yet, but I can sure as heck glue offcuts to the right places to give the look
Up next will be sanding and sanding and sanding and sanding and...then stain.
I will update the thread as I go along. THis is by far the nicest thing my woodcrafting exploits have turned out. Im pretty stoked. Now that Ive shown I can, I think I might get greenlit for a big media center in the living room...I have some pretty cool ideas for barn doors and the like, so stay tuned...