Federal Side Table

By Steve Latta Apr 01, 2014

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.

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

Purchase the project plan.

Check out our collection of articles specifically picked to help with this project.

Start Watching

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.

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Subscribe to Fine Woodworking

Save up to 69%

About Video Workshops

Watch our experts build a piece of furniture step-by-step on video and download a detailed project plan so you can build along.

If you're looking for a new woodworking project, try one of our video workshops. These are complete, online courses taught by some of the best woodworkers in the country, and include companion articles, project plans, and step-by-step video instruction.

View All Video Workshops

View All

Up Next

Featured Workshop

a diagram of a round Shaker stand and an image or a round Shaker stand

Shaker candle stand with Christian Beckvoort

He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…