A Cherry Side Table: Turned and Power Carved

I crafted this cherry side table for a family member who learned I’d recently bought a lathe—a $100 steal from Facebook Marketplace. It’s not the fanciest lathe, but I’ve been eager to put it to use.

Research and Prep

After researching woodworking online, I found inspiration in small side tables with balanced proportions and set out to replicate their shape and dimensions. I primarily used tables and videos by Blacktail Studio.

The table’s top and base started as 2-inch-thick cherry pieces, with the top measuring 15 inches in circumference and the base 11 inches. The central leg was made from two 4×4-inch pieces glued together.

Lathe work and power carving

Shaping the leg proved to be the biggest challenge. I wanted smooth transitions between the leg, top, and base, which required carefully carving curves into each component. After assembling the three pieces, I began “power carving” to rough out the form, reducing the top’s profile to about 1 inch thick and the base to 1/2 inch. From there, I sanded the piece using both power tools and hand techniques to refine the shapes.

Power carving, in my case, meant using an angle grinder fitted with an Arbortech Turbo Plane, followed by a Kutzall fine disc for detail work. For sanding, I started with a Festool Rotex at 80 grit, then switched to a palm sander for 120 and 220 grit. Tighter curves demanded hand tools—files and hand sanding—to perfect the transitions between the leg, top, and base.

Finish

I finished the table with a hard oil wax called Sample 73, a product recommended by Four Eyes Furniture. It was my first time using it, and I’m thrilled with the rich, durable finish it gave the cherry.

This project was a great opportunity to experiment with my lathe and get better with power carving tools, and I’m proud of how the table turned out!