side table

so it turns out i'm going to take my own advice and keep a log for my next project.  my wife and i need new coffee and side tables.  they'll be fairly straight forward arts & crafts style so they fit in with the rest of our decor.  i'll start with the side table as i want to play with some details, proportions and possibly some subtle (or maybe not-so-subtle) leg shaping on a less expensive piece that i can give away if we decide we don't like it.

i'm trying to clear out a large project (which i haven't shown you yet..) but i'm down to a couple of very minor trim pieces and figured i may as well start roughing out parts for this project while i curse and fit the trim.

for the record.  i can't stand built-ins..

anyway, as this is the first actual project that i've started since i began the blog, i figured it would be a good one to, well..  log, i guess.  plus, it's such a simple project that it'll be fun to play with the process a bit.  i'm not trying to find out how quickly i can build this.  in fact, i plan to take my time.  i want to get an idea of how long steps might typically take at a nice easy pace.  if i want to sit and fuss over some meaningless detail for an hour or two i will.

here's as far as i got in sketchup.  just enough to get the dimensions and proportions sorted a bit..

i was able to sort through my rapidly dwindling stock of cherry, rough out parts for the top and decide on a pleasing panel arrangement in an hour.  crosscut with the bow saw, jointer-planer-jointer, and ripped to rough width on the table saw.

thought i had some 8/4 for the legs but i don't so i'll have to stop and pick some up in the next day or two.

total hours so far = 1

get woodworking week

i've really enjoyed reading all the blogs this week.  lots of great ideas and tales of efforts to inspire someone to take up an activity that i really get a kick out of.  i felt a little left out because i couldn't come up with anything to contribute.  nothing that wouldn't conflict with my 'i have nothing to teach you' mantra at any rate..

then i came up with an original idea.  i've had two original ideas so far in my time here on earth and i'm too old to remember now but i think the first may well have been to keep track of how many original ideas i have..

anyway..

i was doing something woodworking related (i can't say specifically, it'll spoil a surprise) and feeling quite grateful for everyone that had helped me discover what a great thing it is to work wood.  there are those that gave me the initial inspiration, those that put a tool in my hand to get me started, and those that offered their assistance and advice when i got stuck, or wanted to know more about something new.

i found a way today to thank someone that, though we've never met, has helped me a great deal with some of the more recent discoveries in my woodworking journey.  i hope he enjoys it but even if doesn't, it felt good to make an effort on his behalf in a show of gratitude.  something i should have done a long time ago.

so, here's my small offering to 'get woodworking week'.  as the week draws to a close, think of all those that helped you along the way, pick one, and thank them..