Mortise-and-tenon joints are used to join two pieces of wood whose grains run at right angles to one another and are secured with hot glue. These joints hold the legs of the table to the carcass.

Dovetail joints are used to connect two pieces of wood whose grains run in the same direction. They are made up of pins and wedge-shaped tails that resemble a dove's tail. Dovetail joints connect the parts of the drawer on this table.

The cabinetmaker uses various tools, laid out on the workbench in this photo, to give the legs their shape. Chisels are made in a variety of widths for a range of smoothing, paring, and truing operations. The spokeshave is drawn across the surface of the wood to shape curves, such as the legs of the table. Files and rasps are pushed across the surface of the wood to shape and smooth it.