Thread: The Coopered End Table completed

Great workmanship Derek. The quality of that work must be really terrific because as most of us know, photography highlights every imperfection in woodworking and for it to look so beautiful and without any imperfections showing in the workmanship under such close up photography; it really has to be 100% perfect to look like that. Congratulations, I love to see quality work such as that. Thanks for sharing with us.
BTW if you are not happy with it and feel like giving it the boot, You want my address?

I received many valuable comments when I posted pictures of the coopered end table, one of which I have definitely decided to impliment, and the others I am in the process of testing out.

The main criticisms were that the top looked a little thick, that the front rail was a different colour to the drawer (it came from the same board as the side rails, but turned out lighter than expected), and that the drawer was too small for the design.



The first modification was to increase the bevel to the sides of the top. There was no point in altering the front and rear bevels as there was not enough area to make a difference (and in any event it probably would not show when looking down).



A sharp A2 blade in a scrub plane works amazingly well ...



The second modification aimed to kill two birds with one stone. I would add a false panel to the front of the table. This would cover the rail and drawer. Instead of a drawer pull, the drawer would open from the underside, thus leaving a clean front to the table. In addition, I decided to create a curved front panel. This would be a subtle curve, but should add a softness that I felt was lacking in the original front panel.

Note that the following is a work-in-process and, therefore, I am looking for comments - a good idea or not, and why?

The curved front panel was roughed out on the bandsaw and then shaped with a skew block plane (across the grain) ...



The front panel is attached with hot glue, so this area can be reversed.

So, smoothed and oiled, this is the result of reshaping.



A couple of full size pics:

In the first, the panel is sawn for the drawer front ...



In the next one you can see the subtle curve to the front.



And a last one of the top ..



Another question: what is your opinion whether the drawer needs a pull, as in the original, or a recess for a grip as I suggest.

Regards from Perth

Derek

hi Derek

The curved front to the drawer looks much better than the original -- please keep it.
Being an applied front, the "pull" can be the underside of the panel, and the "finger space" can be a gap between the packing (to the drawer front) and the original drawer. I'm not sure how thick the false front is, but you may like to consider cock beading to protect the edge from too much wear and tear and/or to conceal the addition.

Mate, you've nailed it this time! I think a drawer pull would make this.

As usual, an outstanding job. Far nicer than anything I've made.

Hi Derek,

I agree, the new panel on the front is a great improvement. You've done a great job.

It certainly bugs me when the colour match doesn't turn out quite right after the finish goes on (though photos don't always reflect reality).

Will