Woodsmith

Woodsmith No. 135

Features

Feature Project

6 / Drop-Leaf Coffee Table

With its turned legs and drop-leaf tabletop, you may be surprised to find that this project can be built in just a few days. The secret? A simple design and some ready-made legs. (Plus, we’ve included a matching sofa table on page 10.)

Woodworking Technique

12 / Drop-Leaf In Depth

A drop leaf is a great way to extend a tabletop. And making it isn’t as complicated as you might think. All you need are a couple of common router bits and a special hinge.

Weekend Project

14 / Country Wall Shelf

To give this wall shelf a country look, we used knotty pine, simple construction, and a beaded-board back. And if you want an attractive display cabinet, there are optional doors you can add to the shelf. Either way, it’s a quick, easy-to-build project.

Woodworking Technique

22 / Clamping & Assembly

Gluing up a project may be the most nerve-racking part of woodworking. Once the glue is on, you only have minutes to get things together — and get it together right. These tips from our shop will help things go smoothly, no matter what the assembly.

Plywood Project

26 / Storage Chest

Lift the lid of this chest and you’ll find plenty of room for storage. What you won’t find is any hint that it’s built from plywood and ready-made moldings. Just one trip to the home center will get you everything that’s needed to build this handsome chest.

Departments

4 / Tips & Techniques

20 / Shop Notes

32 / Reader's Jig

34 / Talking Shop

Last Look

36 / Final Details