After building my first coffee table, my mom not-so-subtly hinted that she would be interested in one as a birthday gift.  I reluctantly shot the idea down for two reasons: 1) I couldn't have made the first one without the help of my incredibly talented jack-of-all-trades friend and neighbor Joe, and 2) I couldn't have made one without access to a workshop and tools that Joe had graciously lent.  My mom understood, but I was bummed because I'd enjoyed being able to work with my hands, but knew that I couldn't keep asking Joe to lend me his tools and work space...