Project Information
Bedside tables was the goal and would be my first real furniture project. I like dark and light color wood combinations and I saw a few maple and walnut combination pieces here on LJ and thought I had to give those a try. The problem is these woods are quite expensive this side of Africa, but again that was a great motivation for me to take my time and learn to NOT rush my projects.
My skill set is also a bit limited, so this would also be a great learning experience and it was. Just before I started on this I bought a combination jointer/thicknesser so my first lesson was to get the machine set up and through a bit of trial and error got some good results in the end. Then it was also my first dovetails - made by hand and they came quite well, but I also learned how to make them look better than they actually were
I worked on this some weekends and a bit during the week after work. Sometimes only half an hour or so per day, but I made a rule that as soon as I get tired or rushed or wanted to just get a particular piece done I would stop right there and continue another day. That way I learned to take my time while doing this… maybe too much in the end, but so worth it.
Also it was a first for me to use danish oil and floor wax as a finish and that was much easier to get a decent finish than I thought. It is silky smooth and I have to thank Div for giving me a few tips.
I've used mostly mortise and tenon joints (need better and faster way to make these) using a drill press and a table saw and dovetails for the drawer. Wooden slides for drawer and wood buttons to attach the top.
So it took me 4 months after hours to make 2 bedside tables… better not quite my day job
My skill set is also a bit limited, so this would also be a great learning experience and it was. Just before I started on this I bought a combination jointer/thicknesser so my first lesson was to get the machine set up and through a bit of trial and error got some good results in the end. Then it was also my first dovetails - made by hand and they came quite well, but I also learned how to make them look better than they actually were
I worked on this some weekends and a bit during the week after work. Sometimes only half an hour or so per day, but I made a rule that as soon as I get tired or rushed or wanted to just get a particular piece done I would stop right there and continue another day. That way I learned to take my time while doing this… maybe too much in the end, but so worth it.
Also it was a first for me to use danish oil and floor wax as a finish and that was much easier to get a decent finish than I thought. It is silky smooth and I have to thank Div for giving me a few tips.
I've used mostly mortise and tenon joints (need better and faster way to make these) using a drill press and a table saw and dovetails for the drawer. Wooden slides for drawer and wood buttons to attach the top.
So it took me 4 months after hours to make 2 bedside tables… better not quite my day job