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Federal Side Table: Hammer Veneering and Drawer Dovetails

The drawer of this small table incorporates highly figured veneers and traditional dovetailed joinery for details that really catch the eye.

By Steve Latta Apr 01, 2014

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In this video workshop, Master craftsman Steve Latta demystifies a variety of techniques as he demonstrates how to construct a Federal Side Table chock-full of period details. With an eye towards efficient construction techniques, this project offers tips for planning and organizing milling tasks, and for cutting accurate joinery. Latta walks you through every step of the process, complete with lessons on period-appropriate details like banding, stringing, cock beading, hammer veneering, and much more.

Highly figured veneers and traditional dovetailed joinery come part and parcel with period furniture. This small table’s drawer incorporates both elements for a detail that really catches the eye.

Produced by: Lisa Raleigh; Video by: Gary Junken; Editing by: Tom Olivares

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Videos in the Series

How to Make a Federal Side Table

April 1, 2014

In this introductory video, Steve Latta gives an overview of the process of building a characteristic Federal table.
Federal Side Table: Smart Approach to Milling Stock

April 1, 2014

The key to a successful furniture project starts with the right approach to milling stock to turn your boards into furniture parts quickly.
Federal Side Table: Joinery

April 1, 2014

In keeping with tradition, this table relies on the bedrock construction techniques of fine furniture: mortise-and-tenon, and dovetail joinery
Federal Side Table: Tapered Legs and Decorative Banding

April 1, 2014

Double tapered legs and decorative bandings are two of the hallmarks of federal furniture, and Latta tackles them both in this episode.
Federal Side Table: Assembly and Finishing the Ornamentation

April 1, 2014

This side table may be small, but the glue-up has to happen in multiple stages.
Federal Side Table: Hammer Veneering and Drawer Dovetails

April 1, 2014

The drawer of this small table incorporates highly figured veneers and traditional dovetailed joinery for details that really catch the eye.
Federal Side Table: Cock Beading and Drawer Glue-Up

April 1, 2014

Protect your delicate veneered drawer front with traditional cock beading; then jazz things up with beautiful stringing.
Federal Side Table: Tabletop and a Period Finish

April 1, 2014

Cap off the side table project by crafting a delicate tabletop and applying a traditional shellac period finish.

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Previous: Federal Side Table: Assembly and Finishing the Ornamentation Next: Federal Side Table: Cock Beading and Drawer Glue-Up

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Tables and Desks

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