I finally have the coffee table done. The top is wenge and the bottom is poplar. Dimentions are 20 1/2 (H) X 25 1/2 X 50” . I used pocket hole joinery as I wanted to try out my new Kregg pocket hole jig. Drawers are 3/4” poplar with 1/4” birch ply bottoms dadoed in. I wanted the drawers to be strong as I keep my laptop in one side. The other side holds all of the remotes and the x-box controller. My wife calls it my man drawer. LOL I added a light stain to the poplar to get the contrast I wanted between the two. Six coats of poly clear to protect it. I do wish I had a joiner. It would have helped with the top. This was my first time working with wenge. I found it easy to work with. Just make sure your tools are sharp. Sorry, not the best pictures. I need to work on taking better pictures to show off my work. Comments good or bad are welcome. I’m just learning after all.
5 comments so far
Gator
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373 posts in 1843 days
#1 posted 862 days ago
Nice looking.. functional.. sturdy… oh ya.. man table.. great job…
Gator
-- Master designer of precision sawdust and one of a kind slivers.
Jonathan
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2568 posts in 1218 days
#2 posted 862 days ago
Man drawer… that’s a good one!
Any shots of the drawers?
Appears to be a nicely functional piece.
That wenge is lighter in color than I’m used to seeing, but I think it goes well with whatever stain you chose for the poplar.
Your drawer pull selection also appears to be well chosen for this piece, in my opinion.
-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."
Ken90712
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12660 posts in 1356 days
#3 posted 862 days ago
Great work on your table. Nice job with making the polar blend in with the wenge. I was surprised while reading this that you used poplar with it. But it really looks good. Congrats on the man drawer as well…. LOL
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
clogger
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#4 posted 861 days ago
Great looking table.
I’ve just finished one just like yours! mine’s made of cherry. I presume the draws go either way? Mine are held by magnetic catches in the drawer bottoms and inside the carcass. Although I’m not happy with result I’ve achieved so far.
-- Colin, Western Australia
Steve
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119 posts in 1297 days
#5 posted 841 days ago
The drawers only go one way. The poplar is slowly changing color now and the green shades are becoming more brown. It’s kind of cool to see the change as it takes effect. It’s funny how many people have said, “poplar with wenge, really?” Then they see the table and so far everyone has liked it.
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