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A friend gifted me a bunch of red oak and I promised I'd build something different with it. Since red oak is a relatively cheap wood, I thought i'd use it to experiment with an idea I'd had some time ago - a 'proof of concept' if you will. This was the result. I had to figure out how to do hand-cut dovetails on a curved surface as well as how to best darken the oak and mahogany I used for the handle and feet. I hung the drawer from the top of the carcase - something new to me as well. I'm pretty happy with the result, though red oak does not dovetail cleanly (it splinters to easily). The joints are a little gappy, but I feel confident that if/when I do this in a wood like walnut of cherry it will work out just fine.

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Comments

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What a nice looking and unique piece. I like the exposed dove tails and the curved look on the sides.
Nice work!
 

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excellent job! I too, like the exposed dove tails and the contrast with the Mahogany!
 

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Nice change from the "usual bedside table" ! Are the curved sides "coopered" ?
 

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Beautiful, unique piece!! Thanks for sharing it. :)
 

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An original design, nicely executed. As others above, i like the change from the usual bedside table. Looks like you met some interesting challenges and handled them with aplomb.
 

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I continue to be impressed with the talents of so many here. My work is very amatuerish in comparison and only hope I can master a fraction of what I see here. Very nicely done, sir!
 

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I like the design and the shape. Quite unique with out being overpowering. I like the contrast of the dark chocolate legs against the red oak. Well done.

The handle I find a tad over powering, too big and bulky which makes my eyes focus on it instead of the table. I would also loose those plugged dowel holes on the drawer front as even the slightest detail makes the eyes wander in the wrong direction. A thinner skinny handle would be better IMO. Might also have turned the grain direction of the drawer front 90 degrees to run with the top.

Everyone is smart in hindsight so in closing……….Nice looking end table. I like it.
 

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Thanks everyone for the kind words. Moron; Your comments are insightful and are exactly what I would change if/when I do this next time. I settled on the handle being what it is because I did not get paid for this piece and had other projects I needed to get started on, otherwise I would have slimmed it down a bit. It was a fun build though!
 

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Awesome piece!
 

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Looked at your projects. Nice body of work, and a sweet little girl. This is a wow piece! Even with design correction provided by Moron. LOL! Really want to see more of the piece and know the story behind it. This piece has some challenges in it! Crafting it, designing it and the fact you have done a great job of moving the eye through the piece. ( Except for the handle. :) )

Please share your design process on the next build?
 

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Well done. Did you use a radius form to help with the side panel glue ups?
 

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Yes, it was coopered to get the curves. I used the tap method during the glue-up, but it was not easy and I had one spot that had to be ripped and re-glued. I find using forms is too dificult due to slight inaccuracies. I'd like to try the method by which you drill holes through each piece and pass a cable through. I've seen it in FIne Woodworking I think, and it looks like an effective method to ensure sufficient clamping pressure. I did however have to build a radius form for the ends in order to hand-chop the dovetails. I'd like to try scalloping each stick net time I cooper something - perhaps on the table saw.
 

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That's a lot of work & it turned out great. Nice job.
 

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Very well done….... You should do a blog on how to cut the curved dovetails…..
 

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Very nice, I like the way you used your imagination on this. Well done.
 

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This is cool. I love the dovetails on a curve.
 

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Looks amazing.Nice design.Bedside table is a vital part of any bedroom, it's a very useful piece of furniture.A bedside table can make things a lot more convenient and provide you with a place to sit stuff when you do not feel like getting up out of bed in your sleepy state.
 

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Some amazing craftsmanship. The dovetail within the rounded surfaces is particularly impressive.

I have to say, moron's comments are refreshing. In the world of carpentry with which I am more familiar, compliments are few, and critiques abound. I like the idea of open and honest critiques. We're manly men, after all. (Right?) Well, with the exception of the many LLJ's who share with us.
 
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