Finished assembly

Comment

Comment by michael evans on January 29, 2013 at 8:52am

Thanks Jay ,your right about the coroner .My dad stopped work at the age of 58 never done a thing since but sit in a chair watching rubbish tv.He s 76 now and in very poor health i attribute alot of his problems too not getting out of that cursed chair.I am 53 had pneumonia last june had to give up construction work but help with my wifes business 2/3 days a week and then i am woodworking or speaking too you guys which i love.As you say making something does wonders for your self esteem and well being .You go careful Jay.

Comment by Jay Boutwell on January 28, 2013 at 7:52pm

Michael, thank you for the kind words. Your project is very nice and you deserve credit for doing the kind of work you are doing and taking on challenges.  Some phases of woodwork can be complicated and sometime is easier that you think.  We all start somewhere with out knowing answers but if we refuse to say "I can"t do it" we will susceed in things we think we can not.  As time progresses we start finding that what once seemed impossible and or complicated will be a simple matter.

It is good that you learned some tips from Steve Hill about drawers.  When I do inset drawers I use a piece of formica in the 4 corners of the drawer to center it.  You are correct about hardwood runner for slides and using some bees wax on the slides. 

You say you are too slow to make money but we all need to remember that making money is not always the reason we do woodworking.  As long as we are happy with doing woodwork that is the main thing.  It keeps us young at heart and we are making something more valuable that money.  Happiness and knowing that we are practicing what is rapidly becoming a forgotten trade.  Along the way we profit some maybe not as much as others but just knowing that if we take our time some money will fall out of the woodwork.  Remember too that speed is not the most important ingredient but doing a piece and taking our time to do it right is.  At the very least we are doing something constructive and of a benifit to our selves but to others as well.  Just think even after we have gone our project will remain here for others to see.  We learn from not only by doing but by sharing to others our methods.  That is why it is important for members of this community to share and post our projects.  I can not think of anything more improtant that educating others.

I have always been a firm believer that thoes whom are idle and not necessary happy are for the most part the first to be visited by a cornor. So be happy in the art of woodworking and it will reward you with much happiness. 

Comment by michael evans on January 28, 2013 at 3:42pm

Thanks Jay praise from a master woodworker is praise indeed.The bevelled top is too mimic the furniture we have in our room.The drawer front also is bevelled.Big learning curve for me jay the side construction is a centre panel [ birch ply] with a 2"x1"frame.The reason for this is hardwoods very expensive here in UK.I have done panel and frame before however never made drawers before.But with some help from Steve Hill i got there.I was dreading the drawers turned out to be simple box construction with dado let in for the drawer bottom.I am sure i read somewhere drawer slides should be hardwood so i made them out of scraps of oak,with a rabbet in for the drawer to slide in.I also applied beeswax to the sliders.Also wanted the drawer front to have a even spaced margin, my solution was to shim round the drawer face and glue and pin in place .Then pocket hole screws.Jay got the idea for the black perspex discs off this site [kinda].Saw a porch swing on here with cup holders in the arms,that got my pilot light going[brain]and the inset coaster was born.I will never make money at it jay too slow not like your goodself,but as i have said before it keeps my one grey cell ticking over in my forced retirement even if sometimes i mess up .My methods not allways orthodox but i dont let things beat me.Jay have a great and profitable week keep knocking out those master pieces. Regards Mick in the UK.

Comment by Jay Boutwell on January 28, 2013 at 2:52pm

Michael, very nice looking end tables showing some nice craftsmanship.  I like the design with two shelves under the drawer.  One of the things that makes the end tables attractive is the thick looking shelves.  This makes the tables look sturdy and balanced where a thin shelf would do the opposite.  Attractive also is the beveled top edge.  Most that you see are either radically rounded over or left square with a very small amount of a bullnose on the edges.  With these having the gentle degreed edge makes these look classic.  I like the inset drawer with large single pull knob as well.  You have executed a nice fitting drawer within the face frame.  The inset beverage coasters is an excellent idea for protecting the wood top from stains and moisture damage.  Thank you for showing some quality work . 

Comment by michael evans on January 28, 2013 at 7:44am

Good morning jim ,if it is morning there 12.36  [lunchtime]here.Jim stain does not seem to be as popular here especially the dark stains.Just come up from the shed i have applied a coat of primer sealer and a undercoat.As far as i can go got some work commitments this week[thats what the boss tells me [aka] the wife. Back to it next weekend post a pic when done jim,have a mega awesome week jim.

Comment by james wilhelm on January 27, 2013 at 1:36pm

Sorry Michael , thought you were going to stain them , but I think white with gray knobs will look really nice , good job and thanks for sharing  !!!!

Comment by michael evans on January 27, 2013 at 12:33pm

Thanks jim, the cabinets not finished yet. They will be white with a grey knob to match the rest of the furniture in our bedroom.We could not buy cabinets this size [to narrow] so built my own.Have a wonderful week jim.

Comment by james wilhelm on January 27, 2013 at 12:11pm

Very nice tables ,the knots give it the country look and  the plexiglass for the tea cups  was a good Idea, thanks for sharing , a job well done !!!!