Reader Project: Arts & Crafts Classic End Table

pmcdermottUpdated: Aug. 07, 2022

Reader, Mike Gratzer, built this beautiful end table for his home. He followed the Simple Rennie Mackintosh End Table Plans that were provided in the December/January 2015 issue of The Family Handyman.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Finished End Table

“Tom Casper’s article provided excellent guidance on every step of the construction. My home shop is small and I have a limited collection of woodworking tools. This necessitates careful planning and presents a challenge when planning projects.” — Mike

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Parts and Finish Test

Here are the materials I used for this project.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Pocket Screw Modification

The original plans for this project called for biscuit joinery as the primary method of assembly. Since I do not own a biscuit joiner, I elected to use pocket screws. This added a level of complexity because most of the fasteners needed to be hidden. I made my own plugs out of poplar and used a Japanese cut-off saw to hide the holes for the screws. The photos show the installation of the plugs and the result after trimming and sanding the plugs.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Building the Base

Next I glued the base together.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Pocket Screw Drawer

I built the drawer using pocket screws and wood glue.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Perfect-Fit Drawer

View from above, prior to attaching the top.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Assembled, Waiting for Finish

View of finished table with drawer slid out.

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Photo courtesy of: Mike Gratzer

Project Complete!

For the finish I started with Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to even out the grain and prevent blotching. I followed up with General Finishes Java Gel Stain and then applied several coats of Minwax Wipe-On Poly.

Originally Published: June 20, 2018