This project was built and designed by Josh Wright.
It’s an intentionally odd, three-legged coffee table made from reclaimed wood, featuring playful shapes, bold joinery, and a removable fisheye coaster.
Josh set out to make what he jokingly calls “the world’s ugliest coffee table”—not as a showpiece, but as a fun design experiment using salvaged materials and exaggerated forms.
The final result is quirky, creative, and loaded with thoughtful woodworking techniques.
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An Odd Design That Doesn’t Hide Its Imperfections
The table’s shape is meant to resemble a fish, with a wide front “head,” narrower tail, and a ribbed midsection.
It stands on three legs—two in the back and one oversized turned leg in the front—and leans into its eccentric form.
Josh used mostly reclaimed oak beams, pallet boards, and other offcuts that had been sitting in the shop. These materials brought a mix of worm tracks, cracks, and weathering that gave the piece texture and personality.
Turning the Front Leg and the “Fisheye” Coaster
One of the first components built was the large front leg, turned on the lathe from a thick reclaimed beam. After shaping the leg, Josh cut a disc from the top to serve as a removable coaster—the “fisheye” of the table.
To decorate the coaster, he inlaid a contrasting X using dark wood strips. By temporarily mounting the disc to a square board, he was able to make clean cuts with a miter saw and fit the inlay precisely. The result adds both visual flair and functionality.
Milling Reclaimed Beams into Tabletop Panels
Preparing the tabletop required flattening and jointing rough beams into usable panels.
Josh resawed and surfaced each piece, adjusting as needed when defects like knots or splits appeared.
Rather than waste wood, he reconfigured panel layouts on the fly—flipping, rejoining, and trimming boards to maximize yield. This process created a patchwork effect that matched the table’s eclectic look.
Cutting the Fish Shape and Fitting the Front Leg
With panels ready, Josh cut out the head and tail sections using templates and rough shaping tools.
He then bored a hole in the head panel to fit the turned leg and carefully sized the mortise for a snug, supportive fit.
The leg connects to a stretcher that runs between the head and tail, helping set the table’s geometry. Once the front leg was fixed, the rest of the assembly could align around it.
Building the Stretcher and Adding Structural Ribs
The central stretcher serves as both support and design element. Josh cut a cove on one end so it seated nicely against the front leg, then added dowel-attached ribs along its length to mimic a fish’s ribcage.
Cutting the ribs required careful alignment. Using spacer blocks and trial fitting, Josh ensured each rib lined up cleanly to maintain a consistent shape. Even small deviations could have thrown off the visual rhythm.
Back Legs, Biscuits, and Spline Joinery
The two rear legs were turned and joined using multiple biscuits for alignment and strength.
Josh also inserted walnut splines as both a reinforcement method and decorative detail.
These splines were laser-cut from contrasting hardwood, creating strong joints with eye-catching contrast. This attention to grain direction and joinery layout adds durability and visual interest to an otherwise quirky design.
Creative Joinery and Magazine Shelf Details
To link the legs and provide support, Josh shaped cross-braces using large round-over and cove bits.
One of the supports includes a routed groove that acts as a small magazine or book shelf—a clever and unexpected addition.
Another visible joint between the back and front legs was disguised with an X-patterned spline, mirroring the fisheye coaster and tying the design together. While a screw provides the structural hold, the applied joinery adds character and cohesion.
Embracing Imperfections with Reclaimed Wood
The use of reclaimed wood shaped every part of this project—from layout to visual texture. Josh didn’t sand away every flaw or fill every void.
Instead, he highlighted them, creating a table that feels lived-in and unapologetically handmade.
While a similar table made with pristine lumber might look more refined, the reclaimed version carries more personality. It allowed Josh to take creative risks without worrying about wasting expensive materials.
Final Thoughts on the Build
Despite its eccentric shape, the table is sturdy and well-constructed. The oversized leg, angled supports, and layered joinery keep the piece grounded, even if the design turns heads.
The “dead fish” table doesn’t aim for elegance—it’s about exploring shapes, working with what’s available, and having fun along the way.
Josh ends the build by giving the table to his brother, who appreciated the humor and creativity behind it.
Support Josh by visiting his Etsy Store.