To finish the top you create a taper on each edge of the underside extending inwards about 2” and leaving about 1/4” on the edge, which helps give the illusion that the top is thinner and lighter than it really is.  It is quite simple to do really, although while I was paying a lot of attention to the gauge lines on the edge I over-ran the one of the lines showing where to stop at the top of the taper. I doubt it will never be noticed (apart from by me!) but a bit sloppy.

One bit of random learning today – someone suggested using wood shavings to clean my hands after sharpening  my tools (a messy business).  It is very effective and, with hindsight, is a more obvious solution than walking back to the house to wash my hands each time, but it never occurred to me.

The next step is to “ebonize” the legs in preparation for ebonizing the legs I have left a handful of wire wool soaking in pickling vinegar for a week.