Thieme wrote in
:

Patriarch wrote in
. 97.136:

"Paul O." asks about a rule of thumb for leg width to frame width
snip

Patriarch replies with this message and pics in the binary group:
I'll post a picture on APBW of the bedside tables I completed
recently. The leg stock I used there was 8/4 maple, thicknessed to
about 1.75". These are quite sturdy, and sturdy looking, which was
part of the design goal. There were no curves or tapers in the leg
portion, which may change the way you undertake your design.

Patriarch,

Your night stands look great! I've drawn up some plans that are
*very* similar to yours. I plan to use mine in the family room next
to my recliner. I'm leaving the bottom shelf open (i.e. no door) so I
can slide my laptop in when not in use. Anyway, I was wondering if
you could tell me more about the joinery you used for the shelf. It's
not quite clear what you did and I haven't decided how I'm going to do
it. It almost looks like your panels meet in the corners and I'm
guessing you used cleats underneath the shelf that are attached to the
lower rails. Also, are the panels attached so that they meet in the
corners?

Thanks,


Jeff, these tables are built to be STRONG, for a number of reasons.
Mostly because the joinery was easy, and I started these when I had
taken only a couple of woodworking classes. The legs are 8/4 maple,
rabbeted and biscuited to to 3/4" maple veneer plywood. The cross
pieces are 6/4 maple, also rabbeted and biscuited together. Side to
side joinery is with dust frame construction of 3/4 plywood, attached
with pocket screws. The bottom shelf is more 3/4" maple ply, attached
as you surmised. The cherry top, 6/4 solid, is screwed through the dust
frame from the drawer pocket, and sort of floats to accomodate wood
movement. There is a plywood back, inset from the legs, to conceal
cords, etc. The drawers are birdeye maple, with half-blind dovetails,
cut with an Akeda jig. Part of the drawer stop construction is of Port
Orford Cedar, because it smells so good, and I had a little bit of
really nice stock given me by a friend.

You didn't ask, but the finish is super blond shellac, rubbed out with
synthetic steel wool and Butcher's wax.

Rather like asking a grandmother about her grandchild, no? ;-)

My daughter-in-law loves them. It was 18 months from start to finish,
with mostly life getting in the way. They are not that difficult to
build. And they were away at school in another state, making it easy to
let other things get onto the schedule.

Enjoy making yours. I have an oak end table someone made for me 15
years ago, with feature similar to what you describe. A pull-out shelf
on simple glides manages cords really well.

If I can answer any more questions, feel free to ask.

Patriarch