This week I built a really minimal Mid-Century inspired side table. All the cuts were made with just a circular saw and smoothed out with my belt sander. This written step by step instructions are complimentary to the build video, which goes into a bit more detail.
To start, I set my saw to cut at 45° and cut the pieces for the main case or "box" for the table. I cut them in sequential order so that the grain would flow from piece to piece once it's all glued up.
Next, I lined up my pieces in order against a straight edge and taped the seams. I'd normally use masking tape but I was out.
I added glue to the inside of the joints and then closed up the box, closing the last joint with another piece of tape.
To reinforce the joints as well as add a little visual intrigue, I drilled and inserted dowels along the top and bottom edge of the box. I used a "flush trim saw" to trim the off.
With the box finished, I moved on to creating the base. I started by drawing out the lines for the legs based on the diagram at the top of the instructions. I cut the tapers out with the circular saw and smoothed everything out with my belt sander clamped upside down on my workbench.
I used my Kreg pocket hole jig to make pocket hole on the ends of the "stretchers" where they will attach to the legs.
I clamped the pieces down to my table top so that the pieces would stay flat and nothing could move once I lined it up. I added wood glue to the joints and added screws.
After the glue dried I attached the legs to the box by making lines going from corner to corner on the bottom of the box, then incremental marks every inch from the corners. This made it so that i could line everything up square and symmetrical. I attached the base with more pocket screws making sure the side with the holes are facing the back of the table.
I made the drawer the simplest I could think. I just screwed the four side pieces together with recessed screws (I used my pocket hole jig drill bit) and then attached the plywood bottom to that. The drawer face will be attached later.
I chose to make wooden drawer slides. I hadn't done them before but had wanted to try for a while. They worked nicely, but you could always buy a set of drawer slides for just a few bucks. I attached some 3/8" strips of scrap plywood from my cutoff pile to the side of the drawer with wood glue and some small pin nails.
Then, I attached two more pieces of plywood to the inside of the box spaced just enough apart the drawer can slide in with minimal wiggle room
You want it to be snug but still free to move. If it's not sliding great, adding a bit of paste wax will help it out.
I decided to make my own drawer pull as well. I cut some scrap leather I had into an 1.25" strip and contact cemented the two ends together making a simple "loop".
I attached the pull with a nice brass screw and washer. I was surprised. It worked really well! and to finish everything off, I added a coat of boiled linseed oil. If you want something a bit more rugged, Polycrylic may be a better choice.
This week I built a really minimal Mid-Century inspired side table. All the cuts were made with just a circular saw and smoothed out with my belt sander. This written step by step instructions are complimentary to the build video, which goes into a bit more detail.
To start, I set my saw to cut at 45° and cut the pieces for the main case or "box" for the table. I cut them in sequential order so that the grain would flow from piece to piece once it's all glued up.
Next, I lined up my pieces in order against a straight edge and taped the seams. I'd normally use masking tape but I was out.
I added glue to the inside of the joints and then closed up the box, closing the last joint with another piece of tape.
To reinforce the joints as well as add a little visual intrigue, I drilled and inserted dowels along the top and bottom edge of the box. I used a "flush trim saw" to trim the off.
With the box finished, I moved on to creating the base. I started by drawing out the lines for the legs based on the diagram at the top of the instructions. I cut the tapers out with the circular saw and smoothed everything out with my belt sander clamped upside down on my workbench.
I used my Kreg pocket hole jig to make pocket hole on the ends of the "stretchers" where they will attach to the legs.
I clamped the pieces down to my table top so that the pieces would stay flat and nothing could move once I lined it up. I added wood glue to the joints and added screws.
After the glue dried I attached the legs to the box by making lines going from corner to corner on the bottom of the box, then incremental marks every inch from the corners. This made it so that i could line everything up square and symmetrical. I attached the base with more pocket screws making sure the side with the holes are facing the back of the table.
I made the drawer the simplest I could think. I just screwed the four side pieces together with recessed screws (I used my pocket hole jig drill bit) and then attached the plywood bottom to that. The drawer face will be attached later.
I chose to make wooden drawer slides. I hadn't done them before but had wanted to try for a while. They worked nicely, but you could always buy a set of drawer slides for just a few bucks. I attached some 3/8" strips of scrap plywood from my cutoff pile to the side of the drawer with wood glue and some small pin nails.
Then, I attached two more pieces of plywood to the inside of the box spaced just enough apart the drawer can slide in with minimal wiggle room
You want it to be snug but still free to move. If it's not sliding great, adding a bit of paste wax will help it out.
I decided to make my own drawer pull as well. I cut some scrap leather I had into an 1.25" strip and contact cemented the two ends together making a simple "loop".
I attached the pull with a nice brass screw and washer. I was surprised. It worked really well! and to finish everything off, I added a coat of boiled linseed oil. If you want something a bit more rugged, Polycrylic may be a better choice.
