Simple Red Oak End Table

This is my version of the end table on page 33 of “Tables” by Anthony Guidice [available at Rockler]. This is a great book for entry level people like me. I made it from Red Oak as other red oak furniture exist in the same room and, except for Poplar it is the only hard wood available from Lowes, Home Depot. The nearest real hardwood supplier is 60 miles away. Even so, I had to travel there for 8/4 redwood to do the legs. As usual I came home with barely enough to do the job. Red Oak is not my favorite wood, but I seem to be stuck with using it. This is my first project using real wood for a table top instead of veneer plywood. I don’t have access to a wide belt sander in my area so a belt and orbital sander had to do. It is also my first use of a drawer lock router bit as I am still somewhat intimidated with dovetails. I used some recycled fir for the drawer insides which resulted in some breakage, splintering, etc. after the drawer lock bit was used. So I got some more repair practice in. Note to self, use Poplar instead! Even though I spent a lot of time shimming up the false drawer front to center it I did not get that result despite my efforts. The drawer also gave me an opportunity to try out my new #4 Veritas smoothing plane. While I am a real neophyte with planes the result was very satisfying.

After I finished with the sanding I just added some Butcher Block oil to emphasize the grain and MinWax rub-on Satin poly after that. As you can tell I am not really into finishing.

Dick

-- It isn't as easy as the demos make it seem.