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
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