Mid-Century Coffee Table/Whiskey Storage || Full Build!

The video starts with rough cutting 8/4 walnut for the curved corner pieces and then planing them to thickness. Subsequently, solid panels are glued up for these curved sections, and 13/16 walnut is prepared for the top and bottom panels, using dominoes for alignment during gluing.

The creator designs the unique geometric, angled legs by mapping them out on plywood. This visual method helps determine angles without complex math. Each leg is composed of three pieces, with joints designed to be in the corners. A simple tapering jig made from scrap plywood is used on the table saw to achieve the desired taper.

The connecting pieces for the legs are measured and cut with corresponding angles, again avoiding mathematical calculations through a visual transfer method. Dominos are used for strength in the joints. Plywood cauls are temporarily glued for clamping at angles. Once the main leg assemblies are complete, 5/4 walnut stretchers are added to connect them, also using mortises for strength.

A 3/4 inch round-over bit is used on a router to soften the edges of the leg structure. Pocket holes are added to the stretchers for future attachment of the coffee table body. Finally, the entire leg base is glued and clamped together, forming a mid-century modern inspired base.

The glued-up top and bottom panels are sanded and trimmed to size using a track saw, ensuring a slight wiggle room for seasonal movement. The 8/4 walnut panels for the rounded end caps are prepared by trimming and sanding. A technique involving multiple passes on the table saw and jointer, followed by hand planing and sanding, is demonstrated to create the curved profile.

The curved end pieces, initially shaped as one, are cut in half for the two sides. The top and bottom panels are connected to these side pieces using dominoes for a strong, aligned joint. Walnut veneered plywood, faced with solid walnut, is used for internal storage compartments, reducing material and preventing movement.

Additional dividers are created for bottle and glassware storage, with dadoes cut into the central divider to accept these. A rod is added to prevent glassware from falling. A custom coaster holder is constructed from a thick block of walnut, with holes drilled using a hole saw and then cut in half to create two semi-circular holders.

The internal dividers are integrated, and the main body of the coffee table is glued together using numerous dominoes and clamps. The rounded corners of the top and bottom panels are then routed using the already shaped side pieces as a template, ensuring a perfect match. A 'shadow line' technique is applied to the side pieces for aesthetic appeal.

The drawer design begins by considering various bottle sizes, primarily accommodating a wide bullet rye bottle. Walnut is cut for the drawer sides and fronts/backs. Riff-sawn white oak is chosen for the drawer bottom panel to provide contrast, and dado grooves are cut into the drawer pieces to house this panel.

Precise measurements and a half-inch setup block are used to determine the spacing for internal bottle dividers. A dado stack on the table saw is used to cut corresponding dadoes into the drawer front and back pieces. This process is repeated for both drawers, ensuring consistent spacing.

The drawer boxes are dry-fitted. Instead of screws, dowel joinery is employed for strength and aesthetics. Holes are pre-drilled for the dowels, and then custom 3/8-inch white oak dowels are made using a homemade die and a drill. These dowels are glued into place, flush-trimmed, and sanded smooth.

Walnut dividers are cut and friction-fitted into the dadoes within the drawers to create individual bottle compartments. Next, an inch-and-a-half dado is cut into the sides of the drawers to accommodate wooden drawer runners. Walnut runners are then cut, planed for optimal fit, and installed into the coffee table body using screws and glue.

A leather strap is used as a simple yet effective drawer stop to prevent the drawers from pulling out completely. Drawer fronts are cut to be perfectly flush with the surrounding coffee table, matching the shadow line reveal. The drawer fronts are then clamped and screwed into place from the inside, completing the storage sections.

Rubio Monocoat Pure finish is applied to all walnut and white oak surfaces, ensuring consistency and protection. The completed coffee table body is then attached to the leg base using pocket hole screws. The final assembly showcases the integrated whiskey storage, glassware rail, and coaster holder, emphasizing functionality and design.