How it started, how it ended.
Since I have had a lot of free time lately, thought I would try my hand at making myself a bedside table. With all of our stuff these days, my 1 foot square table just wasn't cutting it anymore. C-Pap machine, tablet, BT keyboard, phone and cords, jug of Gatorade, TV remotes, etc..
I don't know a damn thing about building furniture, I mean...legs and a flat spot was all I was aiming for.
I had some plywood left over from last summer that I put on the lawn to drive my truck over, (weight dispersal to prevent getting ruts). It's half inch cheap stuff, 4x8' sheets. The hard part was sanding all of the tire marks and dirt off of it. Also used some 2x2's, brad staples, gorilla wood glue and lastly, stain+ poly.
It was actually like watching a train accident, I would try something, it wouldn't work or look right, so take it apart and go a different direction...and the sanding...the endless sanding. Start with 60 grit, then 120, 320 and finish with 500. Problem with the 60 is that it will scratch the hell out of the wood, then you have to sand to get rid of the scratches.
In any case, lots of work. Things I learned...
Don't use 60 grit unless you absolutely have to.
One coat of stain+ poly isn't enough, need 3 coats to get a high gloss finish.
Cut everything out, make sure it's all fits together, sand....and sand....then sand more, stain everything three times, assemble, then go over it to make sure you didn't miss anything.
Not going to detail a step by step guide because that would be crazy boring.
In any case...enjoy.
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Nice work! I can’t believe that was once dirty plywood. I’m all about salvage. About five minutes ago I gave away a kitty castle on Craigslist. I made it from scraps about 20 years ago, including a piece of drainage pipe, carpet remnants, cardboard sonotubes, and a spare tire. Weighs a friggin ton. The cats loved it until they got too old to play anymore. Gave it to a guy who runs a cat rescue, and he was stoked.
Looks damn cool to me!
Nicely finished-- an attractive piece of furniture!
I just gave mine to my handyman who has five cats. They love it. I will get a smaller one for my new place that is a little more space efficient.
Hey, that looks really good. Way to go. When I was in 3rd year high school, as one of our courses we could choose one of motor mechanics (taking a Ford or Chevy engine apart and putting it together again), woodworking (using a lathe and other power and manual tools to build a small table or chair), or commercial (learning to touch-type and simple bookkeeping). I chose commercial, which has at least made it easy for me these days on the internet when it comes to not having to look at the keyboard, using all fingers - a s d f j k l ;. However, I realize that woodworking could have ended up saving money and given me something to be creative with.
I took woodshop in school, but it was more of a class to do nothing in than to actually learn something. I just used trial and error. I was going to add leg supports between the top shelf and lower shelf when I realized how sturdy the glue and staples are. I mean, I'm not hanging an engine block off of it. The front, "panel", was an afterthought, to make it a tad more sturdy.
Thanks Buzz!
I noticed the hole that you use as a portal for wiring, but how did you brace the top shelf? I appears that you might not be able to put anything heavy on it.
Good observation.
I could be wrong, but perhaps 2 right angle brackets (that happen to be hidden by the camera angle?)
Or much better yet-- later add two thick dowels from the corner of the lower surface up to the corner of the top "shelf".
Although on second thought-- if they are hidden by the camera angle, they are probably too small (???)
Nice job. When I was in school the guys were required to take woodshop, metal shop, electric shop and drafting. Auto shop was an elective. The girls were required to take home economics.
Just glue a couple of wood screws and some brad staples. I was worried about that too but it's actually quite sturdy.
Sounds like we are about the same age..
Nice job. That should give you some space. Haha
The only thing I ever made in school was a wood cutout. For some reason I picked a Scottish Terrier. Ended up screwing three hooks on it and using it a key rack. Still using it to this day.
We made sanding blocks in wood shop. Let that sink in.
Nicely done, Mr. Frost.
Thanks!
I was gonna suggest spending 50 bucks for a cheap side table, but scratch that. That is super nice!
Mr Giggles has taken to gluing bottle caps onto tables or electrical coil rolls and using polyurethane for the finish.
When I can't find a piece of furniture to meet my needs, I build my own. I have built at least 5 things so far and have a new piece (coffee table) in mind for my new home. You did a great job with yours.