fletch9

Hello everyone. I'm new to the woodworking game and I need a little assistance. I'm making a body armor rack. I'm in the army and will deploy soon so when you're in the office I need a place to hang all my gear. I started with a 18" round tabletop ( which I will use as a base) of joined and glued pine. I cut a 4x4 to 40" high and attached it to the base by a recesed 3/8" lag bolt 3" long. I then bored out a 2" dia hole at 34" height for a 2" thick dowel to be inserted.

Now for the question, It isn't sturdy enough to handle the 35+ lbs of equipment I need to hang on it. I was going to add side braces and I know how to attach them to the base but I was thinking to give it a finished look I could recess the joints from the braces on the 4x4 end. I am planning to use 1/2 x 1 1/2" thick wood for the braces. I can't figure out how to make it flush at the top of the brace but be cut into the wood progressively deeper as the brace material runs down the 4x4. I understand it would be easier to just flush cut everything. I guess I just want to be difficult lol. I appreciate everyone help in advance, and if you need me to be more specific I'll try to be. Thanks again