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This had nothing to do with the challenge. I had some nice maple boards looking for a home, and had been wanting to try a side table (my first). This project proved that Murphy's Law is alive and well, but at least it was a learning experience.

Things went wrong from the very start. I somehow managed to screw up my biscuit alignment when I glued up the top, then I tried to even things up with the belt sander, and made a wavy mess of the whole thing. I had to end up ripping the joints out and removing a couple inches of stock so I'd have something reasonably decent to start over with.

I used a doweling jig I had just bought to construct the apron/legs/shelf assembly. That part went smoothly, and the dry fit looked great. But somehow, after gluing, the two front legs were slightly racked. After much self-debate, I sawed the bottom shelf off, and reattached it in a slightly different position to draw the legs back straight.

The drawer sides have 3/4" grooves to accept wood guides, which took a lot of tweaking to operate smoothly. The finish is a witches brew of two different colors of Watco Danish oil, with a bit of red oak stain thrown in. I was matching my existing cabinetry, so I kept adjusting and testing on scrap till I got it right. I finished up with 3 coats of wipe-on satin poly.

I'm posting this not out of pride in the end result, but to prove that you can make an acceptable save on just about anything if you are determined enough.

Gallery

Comments

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Determined is right. I'd have hit it with an axe. Nice job sticking with it because you produced a nice table.
 

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It is a nice table Charlie. Clean lines and wonderful wood grain. It does have the look of a Thorsen Table too, with the stretcher underneath.
 

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We've all been there. Well, I probably shouldn't lump all the great crafters of this site in with me! I've been there and still visit frequently!

It came out great!
 

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Great recovery Charlie. been there, Done that. Welcome to the club. Maybe we need T-Shirts.
 

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It is not the mistakes that make us who we are, it is how we respond to our mistakes.

You did a great job and I love the color of the table - very rich inviting.

And you will never forget the lessons you've learned from this project!
 

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Amen to that, Skee.

Thanks, all.
 

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Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the livin' Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! (with respects to Rudyard Kipling)
I'm certain that I would have belted and flayed the table, which, while very therapeutic, would not have left the beautiful piece you now have, but rather a pile of splinters.
That wood grain is absolutely wonderful.
You're a better man than I am, Charlie M.

(by the way, if you haven't read that whole poem, it's worth a look) -Shopsmithtom
 

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Yep, it's a good one alright! Thanks.
 

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We have a saying here at LJs, "Good save". And for you a very good save, thats a good looking table Charlie. Good for you. jockmike
 

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I'm a big fan of Maple Charlie, and that is one beautiful looking table. I really like the concealed drawer and the grain you used in it just makes the piece flow when the drawer is open - nice job, great work!
 

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That's some nice maple… at least the post didn't read "This started out as a dining room table…"
 

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Good one, Scott! It's a little smaller than it started out to be, but not THAT much smaller.
 

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Charlie -

Sounds like this table gave you some fits! I must say it is gorgeous. I really like the grain. Despite the trouble it gave you, this is a very sweet table.
 

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You shouldn't have to complain about this beautiful piece of work, except for the additional labor you had to put into it, very nice outcome!
You must have learned something about what not to do on future projects, so you've been rewarded with all that extra practice.
It'll be hard to put anything in the drawer, because you'll be coverig up that beautiful grain in the bottom.
 

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this is a great result…(the lessons learn) and the table is great too…This reminds me of what an old friend tell me…as humans we always want to be in balance-and those moments that we dont know how to do things we are in dis-equilibrium…so we feel frustrated…(he would hold his arms out and tilt back and forth from flat to out of balance to show this)...and as we figure out the solution we are returning to equilibrium where we feeel comfortable again…but we are better off then before--because now we have learned a valuable lesson getting back to equilibrium. (ok--the story is better in person)...

Great result either way…

matt
 

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LOL! I got the visual, Matt. Thanks!
 

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Great table, Charlie. I spend alot of time in the shop just fixing my mistakes. Actually, my stress level has been reduced thanks to woodworking. When I make a mistake I then remain calm and figure out how to fix it.

You did a great job in matching the finish to the cabinets. Well done.
 

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Beautiful wood grain. Excellent end result. Diamonds are created under great pressure and heat, and we learn the same way. Each of the lessons you learned in this project will remain with you for life. It's only by overcoming adversity that we can truly claim a victory.

Enough of the philosophy lessons. Great work. Great table. I would be proud to have it in my house. Look forward to seeing more of your work.
 

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hey Matt-- what about a video ?? !! :D

For the past week I've been thinking about this idea of dis-equilibrium as described above and the the "great save" process of woodworkers. ... Being an educator and life guide, I'm beginning to see a benefit of woodworking that has been discussed before but it just beginning to take on a new life with me:
many troubles of today lie in the "inability" to problem-solve enough to get through a difficult time. Many people just are not very resilient. (and thus we have school violence, abuse in the home -with children, with spouses, with parents).
So I'm thinking, if we can teach our children woodworking skills - and not just the "how to's" but the "how to create a great save", we can give our children the gift of a life time. Keep at it, keep thinking, keep trying something new, keep resolving issues that come up and don't give up!.
The difference can be firewood vs a beautiful table as seen here.

Thank you Charlie for helping me clarify my "insight".
 

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The wood and finish are very nice and your story is like one right out of a book of my woodworking trials and tribulations(if I had a book). LOL. You did an excellent job of overcoming those problems and I can't see anything that would have been visual to tell the story on this table. Thanks for sharing your experience.
 
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