I am usually a meticulous planner. Projects go through many iterations of drawings (nearly always to scale) before the design is finalized. I know, down to the 1/16″, what each part should be. I live my everyday life much the same way. Then, just like in my everyday life, I throw all of that planning right out the window and have at it completely by memory.
But the two-toned console table project is extreme even for me. I have no written plans or cut list. Just two measurements to work from: (i) it needs to be 33″ tall overall and (ii) the hairpin legs are 18″ tall by themselves. The width of the table (21″) and its depth (12″) was dictated entirely by what scraps of 5/4″ x 12″ Eastern White Pine were laying around. The height of the dovetailed carcase (15″) was derived through exceedingly complicated mathematics that I will not bore everyone with by reproducing in print.
Reverse engineering at its best.
One detail I like about this project is the case back, which is shiplapped mahogany that is rabbeted into the case. I don’t own a proper plow plane, so I pulled out a restored 7/8″ tongue and groove plane to plow the groove.
Takes a little getting used to the grip so you don’t cut yourself on the opposite blade.
This project also gave my moving fillister plane a real workout cutting all the rabbets and shiplaps for the case back. It performed very well, but needed a quick resharpening before the end. I would be remiss if I didn’t note that I’m not super pleased with the roundovers on the individual back boards, though. My No. 4 hollow dug in a bit on some swirling grain, and I’m grateful this part of the project will be covered in books or shadow most of the time.
I like high fantasy, science and woodworking.
All that’s left to do before assembly is to rabbet in the mahogany inlay that will form the groove for the sliding door. There should be just enough room for a 3/4″ wide inlay (perhaps 3/8″ deep, to accommodate the groove from a 3/4″ tongue and groove plane. I have not decided on whether the door will be pine, mahogany or something else. I want it to be light in color, so perhaps some bookmatched quarter-sawn maple with particular hologram figuring.
And, because it’s funny to me, I took a picture of the box with tools in it. I am sure this will infuriate everyone who thinks all I make is tool chests (and they’d be right, really). I may one day pull off the hairpin legs and slap on some chest lifts and a lid. But that day is not today.
This thing is beefy and large enough to hold a basic set of tools.
The table is destined for my office at work. Some books and a crystal decanter with a set of single old fashioned glasses, methinks.
JPG
The Apartment Woodworker 