I saw an end table online. I commented to my wife, she wanted to see it and then she asked me to make one similar. So, I agreed to do it.
I made the rough drawing, had some red oak (plywood and solid) left over from a previous project and began the build. Unfortunately, I missed a "minor" execution detail and left a 1/4" routed dado exposed. The end table is made from red oak. Hardwoods are terribly expensive locally, IMO. I couldn't just toss the thing. So this project set on my outfeed table for 2 years before I became motivated to figure out a potential fix to cover my earlier mistake. I was able to mill and rip some small trim that covered the exposed ends (both sides on the end table) of the dado. Now, my wife decided she wanted me to stain that red oak. I tried to convince her into accepting the natural red oak but was unsuccessful in my attempt. So I sanded, applied a pre-stain conditioner and then applied the stain. I lightly sanded and began the poly application procedure. I am still not happy with the finishing (stain or poly) results but the wife loves it. I quit.
I, nearly always, apply a small brass plate to the project stating for whom it was made, date it was finished and my initials. I ordered a brass plate from a local engraving shop and picked it up today. I applied some blue tape in a discrete place on the end table, found the center of the end table and marked it on the tape. Applied 2 vertial pieces of tape slightly wider apart than the length of the plate, measured down from the top and marked the 1 1/4" line on both pieces of the vertical tape. I removed the paper from the double-side tape on the plate, aligned it with the two marks, stuck it to the end table, drilled the holes and screwed it to the back of the end table. Then I removed the tape.
Then and only then did I look closer and it was mounted slightly skewed.
I tried to remove it but getting that thin brass off with destroying it is impossible. It's not expensive at all but I thought I'll just leave it to show our family after my demise that even with the best intentions, things don't always go well!
Ugh!
Photos tomorrow after I bring it in from the shop.