Here is a little project that ended up being a lot more complicated than I initially expected. This mission style lamp is made out of red oak, and was certainly quite the project.

For one thing, this is the project that sparked the design and construction of my mission router jig. The mission jig was used for every single joint on the base section of the lamp, turning a lot more versitile than I initially expected.

I initial only intended the jig for the suspended center slat on each site, to cut the slot for each of the three cross pieces. However, with a little modification, it ended up also being the perfect thing to use to cut the notches where the horizontal slats connect to each of the four legs.

Contrasting Neck Grains

One of the things I find interesting about the piece is the neck of the lamp. As can be seen in the picture on the left, I have rotated the top pieces to show off and contrast the difference between the dark end grain and light edge grain.

To me at least, this pattern of grains brings out a very apealing contrast of color from any side you look at it. From one side, darks are in the middle. From the other, lights are in the middle.

I've also intentially set the first piece up as the alternate grain from the top "shelf" of the base.

It's top off with a nice looking square shade I picked up at Target for $16.