A while back I designed and built the Zelo Side Table to replace a ratty old metal magazine holder. I used solid walnut for this piece and it turned out beautifully.

Since making that first Zelo Side Table, I revisited the way I built it by changing up the template a little bit and continued to work out a few bugs as I continued to receive new orders for more tables via my Etsy shop. With each table I built, I was finding what techniques I liked best to achieve my results. It’s been an honor to fulfill these orders, and it’s really cool to know there are a few of these in their new homes in various parts of the country like Washington, Ohio, and a pair of them Tennessee. There’s also a few here in California. Here’s a pair in their home near Oakland:

Recently I had a request to add a glass inlay to a Zelo Side Table. At first I wasn’t sure if I was into it but after a couple emails back and forth, I drew up a quick rendering in Google Sketchup and it got the green light:

For the most part I went about building this version the same as I would any of the others. There were of course, a few modifications that needed to be made so the piece of tempered glass would sit flush in the walnut top. It was a fun challenge that allowed me the opportunity to try something that I might not have tried if I hadn’t received the special request.

I’ve always used Domino joinery for the Zelo Side Tables. The first time I ever used a Festool Domino was at the Jory Brigham course I took a few years ago. Such an invaluable tool for the modern woodworker!

I use a simple jig (made from mdf scraps) to cut out my slots with my Dewalt router with the appropriate plunge base and bushing set. I’ve experimented cutting out these slots with my cnc, and it works perfectly but really only makes sense if I’m building multiple tables at the same time. Earlier this year I was building 4 Zelo Side Tables at the same time and cutting slots on the cnc was definitely the way to go. But if it’s just for 1 table, maybe 2, then the jig and plunge router is my choice.

Once it’s all glued up, the tedious task of sanding is next…

….but when it’s all said, done, and finished up with Odie’s Oil, you get something like this:

So that’s the latest and greatest on the Zelo Side Tables (for now). I do have plans to put together a video creatively documenting the build of one of these heirloom pieces of furniture, so be sure to jump over to my YouTube channel and subscribe so you can see it when it goes up!

Thanks so much for stopping by! In addition to checking back here on the blog occasionally and subscribing on YouTube, you can also follow me on Instagram (IG handle: @stuffsethmakes) . See you on the next one! 🙂

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