I really like this set of photos. It shows what a great job can be done just using hand tools. I find this sort of thing particularly inspirational because my tool using skills aren't yet up to the required standard, so work like this is something I can aspire to.
Just a personal opinion though - I'm not keen on the ends being made from a wood which contrasts so much with the rest of the top. Because the fixed pins are at one end only, any movement in the top will show (entirely) at the opposite end and since the woods contrast so much I think it would be more noticeable.
I've never seen a 45 deg join fixed at the end - is this common? What I thought was more normal ( and would be my preference) is to have the fixed point in the centre of the top with just plain ends, so the movement is shared on both sides, which makes the movement less noticeable.
I can't fault the workmanship though!
Cheers
Steve
