This is my version of the reading table from Popular Woodworking’s December, 2010 issue. Because I had specific size books to be used, I ended up making mine substantially larger. The top measures 14×28 and it stands 28.5 inches high. This is high for a side table, but it will work well for my purposes.
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This table is made from cherry and finished with BLO, followed by garnet shellac and finally, paste wax. Not only did I change the dimensions, but I went with a different profile on the top edge and added a bead to the top of the shelves. I also made the feet thicker than the legs, because I think it makes the change in grain direction more appealing.
The joinery is also more substantial than the PWW version. The leg assemblies are joined to the feet and stretchers by wedged mortise and tenons. The shelves are also mortised into the sides.
Other than rough dimensioning of the stock, the entire project was done with hand tools.
Lessons learned: 1) I need to pay more attention to surface preparation prior to finishing (and I need better light over my workbench). 2) I still need more practice applying shellac by hand.