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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 :)

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Comments

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This piece turned out great.
 

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Beautiful design and craftsmanship Hannes. Your "skill set" is quite remarkable for a first try. The dovetails are exceptional. That rule about not rushing is a very good one, for safety as well as economics (not ruining wood). Thanks for the post!
 

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4 months is a fine pace in my book! Can't let more important priorities get in the way. That's only 2 months per table. They look great!
 

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Great job!! Very nice looking bedside table.like the wood contrast. Thanks for posting
 

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Very Nice!!! Love the dovetails. And 4 months isn't bad at all - it takes me a month of weekends to do a weekend project.
 

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Looks like they turned out great, and don't sweat the small stuff, like how much time it takes. Unless you are building for profit, worrying about the hours can take some of the satisfaction out of it.
Thanks for including some of the build pictures.
One of the reasons I joined this site is to get a chance to converse and share with woodworkers around the world. I like to see their perspective. I would gladly trade you some American hardwoods for a couple of African species. :)
 

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They came out great, a job well done indeed.
 

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Very well done, great looking table.

Wish I could do work like that.
 

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Strictly for curiosity's sake, would you mind me asking what you paid for the lumber? I can use an online converter to convert Rands to Dollars and m^3 to board feet.
 

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Pretty Pieces, my Friend… Nicely Done!!
 

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don't beat yerself up over how long it takes. In my eyes, woodworking should be somthing you enjoy. I guess it gets better when you're able to retire, and throw that clock away. Don't give up. Looks like you're doing a very fine job to me.
 

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Great design and really well executed. Another one for my favourites. Who cares about how long it took? As I always tell my wife "You can't rush quality" to which she replies "How would you know?"
 

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Lovely project. I like to see Arts and Crafts projects done in other woods. I also work in short increments of time. Woodworking is my hobby not my profession, so I have the luxury of time that professionals don't. Trying to work when your tired or rushed is a sure formula for a big error or a big accident. It's amazing how much you can get done if work for an hour or so every day.
 

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A better way to cut the mortise joint is with a plung router and an up spiral bit. I am doing 2 end tables and that worked well. Just do this a step at a time and then run the bit from one end to the other to clean up the slot.
 

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Some really nice work for a first, I'll tell you that…or even if you had more experience!
 

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Hannes: It doesn't look like you took any short cuts (quick methods that don't show in the end) so 4 months is not long at all. I've thought about next steps longer than that. You have a beautiful pair of tables that are well made and you got new experience. What more can you ask.
 

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very nice

i like your approach to the work at hand

i have also learned to walk away
if it isn't going good

why mess it up rushing
 

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Great work takes time
You did a marvelous job, gorgeous night stands
 

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Nice job. Patience always pays off.
 

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Yes, very nice complementing wood choices.

It looks pretty simple on the drawing…"put tab A into slot A"...
 
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