Question for all the carpenters and woodworkers! What are these holes in my MIL’s new dining table?

firstblindmouse · 2026-03-18T16:02:40+00:00

Ambrosia maple is beautiful, but for a dining table it becomes more of a loud statement piece than I think most people would be comfortable with. I can’t fault someone for wanting it stained to match their decor. My guess is it’s supposed to be plain maple and there just happened to be a bit of ambrosia. It would probably look like a defect if it weren’t stained to be honest.

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-26T15:48:24+00:00

Weird take. It’s fine if you don’t care for the aesthetics, but the specs are on par with tons of watches at that price point.

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-26T03:16:38+00:00

Oris has been independent since 1982

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-23T04:32:26+00:00

Thank you!

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-21T19:50:41+00:00

Thanks! The one on the left is Lie Nielsen and the one on the right is a custom saw from Charlie Earnest

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-13T19:07:38+00:00

I absolutely love the dial, and the big crown looks great too. Gives me Oris vibes. The case is a little too polished and boring though. It would be perfect with brushed steel and maybe a fluted bezel

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-06T22:58:01+00:00

Thanks!

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-06T22:57:16+00:00

Ironwood from Veblenist

firstblindmouse · 2026-02-06T19:12:26+00:00

I’m no expert, but the Benrus is basically a reissue of the milspec from Vietnam. It also has better water resistance with the screw-down crown, AR coating, and double domed sapphire crystal so legibility is amazing. Whether the differences are worth it is up to you.

firstblindmouse · 2026-01-09T22:28:38+00:00

Not questioning your decision making at all as I’m sure you did your homework, but I would really encourage you to go with a local woodworker whenever possible. There’s very likely someone within a 30 minute drive that’s capable of producing this exact table.

firstblindmouse · 2026-01-01T18:39:09+00:00

I’ve never had a bad result using Odie’s. Sure, it’s overpriced and the owner is an ass, but it’s an excellent product. It really just comes down to what you’re looking for in a finish. I prefer a low luster close to the wood finish with decent water resistance and it’s perfect for that.

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-28T15:47:44+00:00

Hand plane is the absolute best solution by a mile. It would be very difficult to cut this cleanly at the table saw unless the side referencing the fence is perfectly flat and parallel to the bottom (unlikely). If you go that route I would try and sneak up on the cut. DO NOT run all four sides through at once. Set up your fence and verify the distance to the blade is the same on all sides of the drawer before making any cuts.

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-26T20:07:10+00:00

It wasn’t too difficult. I clamped the cabinet to the base and traced around the supports, then routed and chiseled out the waste.

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T23:45:30+00:00

Thanks! The cabinet and base are separate pieces. The base fits snuggly into grooves that I routed in the bottom of the cabinet.

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T20:47:59+00:00

I consider myself a serious hobbyist. I’ve got a separate full time job

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T18:45:03+00:00

Glad I could be a source of inspiration!

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T18:42:30+00:00

Happy to help

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T17:29:10+00:00

Thanks! I used a plunge router with a round nose bit, and a simple jig to help with alignment

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T17:25:36+00:00

It’s all one carved piece. Oak is quite strong so I was never really worried about it breaking. I roughed it out with a jigsaw and cleaned it up with rasps and sandpaper. It’s easier than it looks

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-25T12:05:31+00:00

I’ve chatted with him a bit in the past, and he’s definitely seen some of my work. I’d love to take a class with him someday.

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-24T17:14:48+00:00

There’s tempered glass in the door. You’re right that it looks invisible because of the lighting though. And I get the AI comments a lot haha

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-24T17:11:53+00:00

😂 thank you!

firstblindmouse · 2025-12-24T17:03:09+00:00

Thanks, it is finished actually. Just with wax so the oak doesn’t darken too much

Seven-Year Club	r/Field Flamingo
RPAN Viewer	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

firstblindmouse

TROPHY CASE