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.
![Image](https://smallworkshop.co.uk/content/images/2020/10/img_5f8096fd550e4.jpg)
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.