Author Topic: I built a table  (Read 17438 times)

adam

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I built a table
« on: June 20, 2013, 11:30:37 AM »
Using plans from this web site, ~$100 in lumber and $80 in tools:



Its a little rough around the edges, but its for the back yard, so I'm not going to worry about it.  It was a good first try at least.

ChiStache

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2013, 11:45:50 AM »
That's seriously gorgeous! Looks like it's from restoration hardware or something. Well done!

brand new stash

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2013, 11:48:05 AM »
That is fabulous!

chicagomeg

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2013, 11:50:04 AM »
So cool! Nice work!

Sparafusile

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2013, 12:14:57 PM »
As a woodworking hobbyist, I have to say that looks really good. If it's going to be outside are you going to paint or varnish it?

Concerning the "rough around the edges" - you're the only person that will notice most of your "mistakes". To an untrained eye it will look like a masterpiece. What really matters is whether it does its job or not.

hoodedfalcon

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2013, 12:21:12 PM »
Very cool!

adam

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2013, 12:29:37 PM »
I still need to  fill some gaps with putty, sand and stain it, then we were planning on putting a poly coat on it.

anotherAlias

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2013, 01:24:43 PM »
I love that site.  I'm currently in the midst of a nightstand that is a hybrid of a couple plans from her site.

Your table looks great.  I can only hope mine turns out as nice.

George_PA

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2013, 09:05:52 AM »
Very nice, I am surprised you had to pay so much in materials; On the website with the plans, it says that they only paid $65; anyway at least you get to keep the extra tools now

chicagomeg

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #9 on: June 21, 2013, 10:00:59 AM »
Not that I have any experience doing it whatsoever, but building furniture is my new retirement plan. My dad's awesome at it & a cursory glance at Craigslist says if I built this table & stained I could sell it for at least $600. I could totally make one.

Rural

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #10 on: June 21, 2013, 10:09:07 AM »
Very nice, I am surprised you had to pay so much in materials; On the website with the plans, it says that they only paid $65; anyway at least you get to keep the extra tools now

Lumber's gone up a lot in the last year, though. Also looks like the OP built with treated lumber; the price quote in the original plans may have been for untreated.

adam

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #11 on: June 21, 2013, 11:57:41 AM »
Yeah the plans are a bit out of date for the prices.  If I did untreated it still would have been ~$80 I think.  They also don't mention that the kregg jig is really expensive (it lets you drill the angled pocket holes).  So if you don't already have one, that costs another $60 for a heavy duty one.  It was one of those things that came up in the comments, but not the main instructions.

But now that I have one I was thinking maybe I build another table or two and I'd make that money back.

jenstill

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2013, 01:09:49 PM »
I often spend far too much time at Ana White's site, ogling the beautiful things she's made and mentally adding them to my to-do list. I've never quite gotten the courage (or time) to try one yet.

Yours turned absolutely gorgeous, Adam. I'm so impressed! Can't wait to see the final photo, when it's stained and coated.

KimPossible

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2013, 09:16:09 PM »
DH and I just built a table for our deck, also from plans we found on her site  :).  I'll post a photo as soon as I can.

Worsted Skeins

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #14 on: June 22, 2013, 08:19:25 AM »
I am impressed!  Thanks for sharing the photo and the link.

jamccain

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #15 on: June 22, 2013, 10:04:18 PM »
Awesome!  Thanks for sharing for those of us who weren't aware of the site.

StarswirlTheMustached

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #16 on: June 24, 2013, 09:49:36 AM »
The table looks really nice from that angle. Like everybody else said-- you're the only one who will notice any mistakes. Are you going to knock together chairs to match? I think Ana has some plans. (she has plans for everything else, anyway).

I really like that site for ideas, but I don't think I'll ever build anything from her plans, personally-- I really like old-school joinery, so her almost complete dependence on the Kregg jig rubs me the wrong way.  It'll hold together just fine, and it's quick and easy... but where's the fun in that?

George_PA

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #17 on: June 24, 2013, 10:32:39 AM »
yeah thanks adam for mentioning the website, I never knew that existed; I have to admit I have it bookmarked now and been poking around it looking at some stuff of the I want to try and build

The only thing that kind of sucks is what you mentioned early; a lot of the plans require you to buy this kregg jig thing; my local CL did not have any for sale, however there does appear to be a couple used ones floating around on ebay

adam

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #18 on: June 24, 2013, 11:24:48 AM »
Regarding the Kregg Jig, yeah, you need to be careful.  This table in particular called for the 2.5 inch pocket hole screws.  When I got to Lowes I notcied there was a $20 jig and a $60 jig.  Guess which one was compatible with the 2.5 inch pocket hole screws!

You can get some kind of 'complete kit' (which is what the designer of these plans has), but I really didn't think I needed all that (time will tell), so I just got the Heavy Duty one that used the 2.5in screws.

KimPossible

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #19 on: July 07, 2013, 10:09:27 AM »
I posted a while back that DH and I built a table and benches.  We used plans from ana-white.com as an inspiration, but modified them to fit our needs. 



Zamboni

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #20 on: July 07, 2013, 10:37:42 AM »
Those tables are both gorgeous.  Well done!

jawisco

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #21 on: July 07, 2013, 07:54:04 PM »
Nice table!  I think the Kreg pocket screw is awesome - it is worth the investment if you enjoy making your own things with wood.

One piece of advice - do a few test stains/poly of some of your extra scrap before you do it on the real table - could save you a lot of headaches and you can play around with a few different techniques. 

Also consider just leaving it "as is".  It will last a long time and I think weathered wood looks good.  Also if something needs replacing, it won't be hard since you built it with screws...

Eric

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #22 on: July 08, 2013, 02:07:31 PM »
That's awesome!  Great job!  And thanks for the website link too.  Looks like some fun projects scattered about there.

FastStache

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #23 on: July 08, 2013, 02:21:39 PM »
All of these tables look awesome!

OldKronos

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #24 on: July 13, 2013, 01:28:39 PM »
Fantastic job! I'm starting an outdoor table project as well. I hope mine looks half as good as yours.

TLV

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #25 on: September 03, 2013, 10:07:33 AM »
Inspired by this thread, I built my wife a curio cabinet for our anniversary (based on these plans).

I think I jumped in over my head. The cost ended up being almost as much as a new one from Costco (certainly more than a craigslist buy), and apparently I can't cut a straight line to save my life, but at least my wife is happy.

Mr. Minsc

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #26 on: September 03, 2013, 10:49:55 AM »
I was going to make a new thread but this one is close enough to serve the purpose.

Around four years ago, during a more mentally crazy time in my life, I decided to build a bookshelf.  It's not super fancy yet definitely a step above those particle board shelves one can buy.

Quote

I had fun making it and definitely want to delve and expand the hobby some day.  Ever since shop class in high school the idea off a hobby such as this has been on the back of my mind. Refinish my pealing nightstand, make a headboard for my bed, build a dresser, the list goes on.  Then and now I still see it as a hobby.  Cost wise it definitely would be cheaper to scour secondhand sales for furniture.  Still, I'd like to hone the skill. :)

Less practical (though potential business idea) is learning to make wooden swords.  I caught the bug to delve in to that hobby back when I watched the tutorials by this fellow.  It certainly would mesh well with my more nerdly interests. ;)

MC

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #27 on: September 03, 2013, 11:54:57 AM »
I got started with the same site a few months ago.  Be careful what you get yourself into.  Here's how I spent my summer:




Mr.Macinstache

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #28 on: September 03, 2013, 12:34:52 PM »
Thanks for sharing that site.... good looking work guys/gals. I love woodworking.

AlmostIndependent

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #29 on: September 03, 2013, 03:08:30 PM »
Kudos to everyone making their own furniture. I hadn't ever thought about giving it a shot. I've built decks and plenty of random woodwork around the house but for some reason furniture never crossed my mind. I'm totally going to build something this winter.

MustacheMatt

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #30 on: September 08, 2013, 03:04:35 PM »
This thread was great! Got a kreg jig last week and built a storage bench from Ana White's site.  Can't wait to make more!

ChicagoGirl

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #31 on: September 08, 2013, 03:28:37 PM »
Great work everyone, loved seeing your pics. You have me inspired now.  I love the ease of Ana White designs, I am ready to try one now!

Ashcons

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #32 on: September 09, 2013, 01:04:49 PM »
Great looking projects! I love that site. I built a computer desk with her Parson Tower Desk plans and it turned out great - still need to sand, prime, and paint it, though. I have several other bookmarked plans I need to get to work on.

Imperfectly Polished (blog) is another site with some cool DIY projects, though not nearly as many and geared more towards minor, less complicated remodel/update work.
« Last Edit: September 09, 2013, 01:06:26 PM by DebtStubble »

MustacheMatt

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #33 on: September 11, 2013, 05:18:24 PM »
Just knocked out a coffee table today, and wife wants a matching console table for the back of the couch now lol!


frompa

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #34 on: September 20, 2013, 05:18:15 PM »
Wow, thanks for the inspiration, everyone.  We are about to begin an outdoor cedar shed for our back yard, using Ana White's plan.  I'm feeling a bit intimidated, but I got the Kreg jig a couple weeks ago and have been practicing, making a small kitchen stool as a beginner project.  Today we picked up most of the wood we need for our shed.  YIKES! 

MustacheMatt

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #35 on: September 23, 2013, 01:10:11 PM »
You're going to do great!  It helps me to do all the cuts first, then look at the pieces individually to decide what side faces where and where the kreg holes are going to go.  Minimize distractions and take your time!

Aft that last table, I knocked out a 90" long console table.  Since it was so narrow, I had to buy the smaller kreg bit and use a socket wrench to turn it.  So don't lose hope or get discouraged, even the best laid plans can run into difficulties!

greenmimama

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #36 on: October 02, 2013, 11:17:35 AM »
All of these pictures look so good, I too love Ana Whites website, she is quite the QIYer.

My DH built a table using those same plans, we tweaked of course and built it for our exact dining room dimensions, and everyone loves it, we just need to do a nice bench and it will be done!

I did her floating shelves and loved the look.

Russ

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #37 on: January 18, 2014, 08:22:32 AM »
So I hesitate to say I actually built the table b/c all I did was finish the wood, drill some holes, and bolt on the legs, but I put this together over the course of the last week. Wanted to share 'cause I think it looks nifty and was fairly cheap/easy to do for the quality

$80 solid wood tabletop from IKEA
$100 3-rod hairpin legs from hairpinlegs.com (got these on sale). I could have made these myself but it would have taken a while and wouldn't have been much cheaper
$20 black oxide coated hardware from McMaster-Carr
$?? boiled linseed oil that I had from something else


AlmostIndependent

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #38 on: January 18, 2014, 10:06:24 AM »
I need to pick up sme legs from ikea next time I'm visiting my sister. I have a couple of projects like this that I want to tackle. Thanks for sharing!

_JT

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #39 on: January 18, 2014, 10:50:34 AM »
Regarding the Kregg Jig, yeah, you need to be careful.  This table in particular called for the 2.5 inch pocket hole screws.  When I got to Lowes I notcied there was a $20 jig and a $60 jig.  Guess which one was compatible with the 2.5 inch pocket hole screws!

Both. Because I have the Kreg Jr and just used it yesterday on 2.5" holes.

TomTX

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Re: I built a table
« Reply #40 on: January 18, 2014, 07:08:35 PM »
Got the Kreg kit from Amazon, and I have also found that the pocket-clamp is very useful. Built a "euro style" cabinet for the wall (over the toilet) in the guest bath (no storage in that room!), two different baby changing stations, a clothes-hanging thing for my wife, replaced my crappy folding-table "key drop/charging station/junk accumulator" with an open cabinet which fits my two travel bags perfectly - and I can still keep all my junk on top.