Make up Table
While at a customers home last year, he brought in an auction piece that I liked. I've been looking for a make-up dressing table for a while to make for my wife, and this one was perfect. I took a few pictures and some general measurements and figured this would be a piece of cake. Had I started while fresh in my mind, it would have been allot easier, but I waited too long, and found myself in relying totally on a picture. I loved the design, but made a few changes

Mistake #1, was using some old salved oak 4x4 pallet stock I had but its one of these projects that when the moment is there, its off and running. I wasn't going to take pics when I saw the finished turnings and nail holes but the project is coming along nicely and I think I can hide most of the markings in the finishing with a red mahogany stain and toners.

Once the basic table was done, now it was time for the drawer boxes and mirrors posts. Once It looked about the right height, its off to the lathe again

The top has a small delicate finial in appearance, and I sure wish the picture I took was a bit closer

There's also a small scalloped piece that has to be morticed into the mirror post on both sides, along with a 1x3 spreader between the posts at the bottom.

So far I've been lucky on the wood. I always hang on to shorts, or scraps in the hopes that someday I can turn them into something, and this project so far has just been that. I thought I'd run out of poplar needed for the drawers, but I managed to find just enough and nothing extra.

Made up the drawer fronts and laced the two large drawer openings with a bead detail, and on the 4 smaller ones, I applied them to the front itself

Now for the tilting mirror. Without height measurements, I guess part placement would give me a better utility idea, as well as part locations and sizes.

This is how I make my bead molding. I leave a slight reveal to make it more pronounced in the opening. The drawer above is a real small drawer, and I attached the bead to the drawer itself. Ordinarily, I do the opening

A good use for pocket hole screws. This is my drawer encloser with runner attached, as well as a small restricting piece on top to prevent tilting when the drawer is pulled open.

Mirror frame done, and dry fitted in place.......I can now start the 3.5" turnings that will fit up top and drill holes to receive them before I do the final glue up

I don't dare try making more than two at a time, for fear of it snapping and flying off the lathe. Sure wish I had a du[licator, it sure woul make things alot easier

A good dry fit, and ready for glue up. Once this mirror is complete, this cabinet will be ready for finishing.

After looking at the mirror and turnings, I thought those turnings looked to generic and bulky, so it's back to the lathe and turn something a bit more dainty

Ahhhhh this looks so much better. Now for two finials