Plant Table -- First Woodworking Project

Man, what are you hesitant about?!

I think this piece shows that you have a natural talent for design. And that design feature that keeps water from running off onto the floor is brilliant. :-) (And I’m not kiiding about the nice design.)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

The shape of the top is really beautiful.
Great work Al!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Al, can I use your phrase “design intent”? I see a lot of potential with it in describing my woodworking efforts… :) Really nice stand!

-- Rich in Richmond

Good job, I like the way you rounded the leg tops or made them look as if they grew from the slab.

-- Fred, Georgia

looks great to me. I like the mass and curves of it,and your joinery worked out great.

-- making sawdust....

Beautiful style! Great work!

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

I would be proud to post that project. You have displayed some serious design sense in your first project.

This looks great and I can’t wait to see what else you come up with.

Nice design and craftsmanship – Thanks for sharing!

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I agree, nothing wrong with that at all, I like the way you made the shape your own, really put part of yourself into the design, first project…...A+

Beautifully done! It surely does not look like a “First Project”. I’m enjoying the history of this slab and I love the shape. I’m impressed and hope to see more of your work. Keep on creating.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Very nice job…its beautiful,

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Nice work, I took me years to pull myself away from the project books I had before I would try something on my own. I was stuck in my own little comfort zone. First project and nice design way to go.

-- Paul Sayre Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Not worth hesitating for anything…thank you for posting this simple design that accomplishes so much in a stylish way.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

This is your first woodworking project? Wow, wish I could have made something like that on my first attempt. Thanks for sharing.

-- Woodworker? Nah, I'm a clamp collector and expert in sawdust production.

My first project was a small lamp stand that was relatively easy to build. You too a bigger leap, and the effort paid off. You have serious talent.

When I see something and it makes me think of things to build as this table did, I offer that up as a big Compliment. Job well done.

We are our own worst critic. That looks great and nothing to be hesitant about!

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Al it looks great. You need to bring it to Show and Tell at our next meeting.

That’s a great story, and you are right. You will always be wrong if you do something different than the “Lady of the House” wants, She will decide otherwise.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Thanks everyone for the comments… I didn’t expect so many. I think I needed the encouragement. The overall design credit goes to the customer… she has a better eye than I although I kept with the three point landing gear. Simple in concept, but it contained sufficient challenges for a novice. Like, working the top end grain… as it went every direction possible. Had to remove 4” at one end while only half inch at the other using hand tools. Made a leg taper jig for my really cheap plastic Delta table saw. Used a scroll saw (It’s a real beauty—all oak by S.A.G.E.) to cut the V in the other leg. Used Craftsman sliding miter saw to cut dadoes in the uneven bottom—while trying to get them straight and parallel. Still learning how to sharpen plane blades and chisels. The list goes on, as you can well imagine and already have the answers to. I gave in to the customer requirement of using a water-based poly finish since I was working in a closed room with the gas hot water heater. The legs feel too plastic. Okay, it is exterior grade so she can move it outside this spring. Next project—improve my sawdust room. I picked up great tips from this site… thanks to everyone.

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

now I have a use for some heavy slabs that I just picked up …thanks a lot !

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I’m glade that this never became a yule log. Its far to beautiful for the fire. Your design and execution is excellent. It also shows that you have a clear understanding of what you could and could not do with what you had available both in knowledge and tools. there is nothing wrong with the water based poly. AND it will always show its natural beauty since the water based does not yellow nor does the wood. This is obviously heirloom quality and because of its origin you should try to see that the history of the wood is not left to word of mouth. perhaps a plaque. VERY, VERY WELL DONE !

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

OUTSTANDING design. It really has a artful presentation. Like you, I am immensely intimidated by the pieces of art displayed on this site. I say art because they are way beyond just woodworking pieces. I look at the two items I have posted compared to the rest of the items displayed and it makes me want to delete mine. I really like the design, whoever came up with it. Looks great and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

-- There are three signs of old age. The first is loss of memory. I forgot the other two!

Great job Dustyal. I know exactly what you mean about being hesitant and intimidated, however, after seeing your projects, you have nothing to worry about.

-- Brad, Oregon- Wood, it's what's for dinner.

nice design well done

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

I really like it, its rustic without being rustic…I really like the way you used the outside of the log…its a really nice design.

-- If you can't build it, code it. If you can't code it, build it. But always ALWAYS take a picture.

Great project! We are own worst critics. My wife gets so frustrated with me when I show people work we have done and mention I’m not happy with this or that. She says quit doing that, its beautiful and no one See’s that quit pointing it out! Anyway nice job and I will use that phrase Design intent!

-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"