re: Contemporary Side Table

Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. This piece completes an idea started several years ago: needing a computer/writing area at home. The main desk design took shape last August; with this side table requiring its own version – a lower shelf, and some artistic solution to the shorter height related to that.

The table is finished with 2 coats of Zinsser SealCoat, with a top coat of Deft Interior Poly (un-thinned); then wet-sanded at 3000 grit.

One of the design considerations was balancing the table front-to-back, due to the narrow (20") depth and open lower portion. The top (5/4 nominal) is an inch proud of the under-supports – placing more weight on the back. The shelf is 5/8" thick, and slightly inset from the front edge. The legs are 4/4 nominal, with each leg having a 3" flat at the top (supporting the walnut at various locations) – this offers plenty of glue-surface: the top of the legs are the M&T into the underside of the top & shelf, respectively. Both the top and shelf have a 1/2" by 3/4" walnut under-support bars running across the long axis – this is inset into a 1/4" deep groove – given their span (48" and 45", respectively, I wanted some additional bracing.

Racking is address several ways:
The domino M&Ts;
The back spline – between the legs – is mortised (3/4") into its base, and rises about 10" through a mirrored grove in the two back legs;
The front risers (on the shelf) form a 90 degree curve, and each are mortised at four points: two on the top and two points on the bottom. Both the top & bottom of the risers are glued along their surface to the shelf & top, respectively.
No doubt this is over-kill; however, it is how I build things.

Glue-up became its usual tense event – I applied too much, and cleaning-up the squeeze-out took more time than getting the table assembled: this goes back to days when my joints didn’t naturally close, and I relied on glue and clamps to get the job done. Maybe one milepost that you pass along the way is fine-tuning processes and techniques to create tight joints.

Moving onto bar stools.

Again, if I can provide any additional information, please let me know.
Everyone, Do Take Care.
MJCD