| Project by JLadd | posted 331 days ago | 969 views | 7 times favorited | 12 comments |  |
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I just started woodworking a couple years ago. I’ve been working on small projects as I collect more tools. This is the first project I’ve posted. I just finished it up last week. It’s by far my most elaborate project and I gained some good experience. I used 4 different joinery techniques; pocket holes for the top, mortise and tenon for the sides, dowels to attach the mag rack to the sides, and recessed screws w/ plugs to make the rack.
I used poplar for this project, which was easy to work with, but presented a challenge when it came to stain. I tested regular oil based stain, but it came out really splotchy, even after I tried wood conditioner. I wound up using wood conditioner with General Finishes Java gel stain with several coats of satin spray-on poly. The gel stain didn’t soak in near as much as the regular stuff, so it turned out a lot more even.
For as much inspiration as I get from this community, I must admit I actually saw this on LL Bean’s website as I was looking for ideas for something to put my coffee on next to my recliner. I made the plans in SketchUp with a few customizations. If you want the plans, let me know. The storage under the top is pretty handy and the rack holds plenty of books without the need for bookends.
I love this site and look forward to your feedback. Hopefully I’ll post some of my smaller projects soon also.
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12 comments so far
Ken Fitzpatrick
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365 posts in 2194 days
#1 posted 331 days ago
I love it! What a great project. This is your first? It turned out wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Ken
-- • "I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm."....... Calvin Coolidge
Ken90712
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12676 posts in 1360 days
#2 posted 331 days ago
Nice work, great first project post!
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
Lee A. Jesberger
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6499 posts in 2150 days
#3 posted 331 days ago
You did a very nice job on this.
I would avoid pocket screws in areas that will be visable… that’s just me though.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
workerinwood
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2491 posts in 1238 days
#4 posted 330 days ago
Great job!! Like the design. Would be interested in the plans.
-- Jack, Albuquerque
JLadd
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5 posts in 835 days
#5 posted 330 days ago
Thanks, everyone!
Lee, I agree. I planned to use the angled wood plugs Kreg sells, but it leaves a lot of scrap above the surface and I don’t have a flush-cut saw. Worried I might just make it look worse using a chisel or something, I just left it open.
Woodbridge
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1545 posts in 589 days
#6 posted 330 days ago
Great looking table.
-- Peter, Woodbridge, Ontario
scottb
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3648 posts in 2498 days
#7 posted 330 days ago
great design!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
alekhine
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41 posts in 730 days
#8 posted 330 days ago
Great first project and i like your finish especially.
-- Efe Yaparoglu ,Izmir.... Not getting what u wished is a sign that there is something better behind.
DocSavage45
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2878 posts in 1013 days
#9 posted 329 days ago
Piece is visually pleasing from here. We are our own worst critiues and we learn from making mistakes, more than success? Finishing is equally important in our skill base.
If you are interested in what options are available you might check out “the workshop with Charles Neil.” he has developed a “Blotch control” preconditioner. Has many great reviews. The also has put out several finishing information you tube videos, and he has a DVD set called ” Finishing from A to Z”
Tauton press has also put out books and some DVD’s in this area.
Looking forward to seeing your next build!
-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher
BigTiny
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1653 posts in 1059 days
#10 posted 329 days ago
Hi JLadd.
Great first posting! Looking forward to seeing more of your stuff.
Paul
-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!
Jamie Speirs
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3681 posts in 1027 days
#11 posted 329 days ago
That is a very nice table
Look forward to your future
posts on LJ’s
Jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
tazray
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32 posts in 570 days
#12 posted 326 days ago
Very nice project. very interested in the plans for this
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