10 July 2009

I Have Built A Table.

The Table started out as an idea as I was wandering the lawn and garden furniture in Lowes. After realizing I was never going to find a table like the one that was in my head, I also didn't want to shell out +$30 on a nice new constructed one. I wandered around hoping to find some inspiration amongst the fun gadgets and materials in the other isles. I finally found two douglas fur boards one 3" x 1/2" x 8ft, and one 1 1/2" x 1/2" x 8ft. A total of $7.00 in lumber.


I made a quick sketch on the floor in the dirt and did some quick math to figure out what size table I could make with this amount of wood. After I got the initial plan I picked up some wood screws $0.50, natural colored wood stain $5.00, and Thomson's Water Sealer $4.00.


Total Cost thus far: $16.50


I now had all my materials but not enough of the right tools. I have a power drill, drill bits, screws, and sand paper. I had nothing to cut my wood with. I thought about using my tree limb saw, but I am certain it would have made less than desirable edges. True Value had a wood saw for fine edge cutting for $12.50. I drew out my plans to make sure my idea would work. I had estimated on having about a 4" piece of the 1 1/2" board as the only thing left out of my materials.


Day 1

Measure and Cut all the pieces: 4 hours


Day 2

Drill holes, Screw pieces together, cut angles for legs, and borrow my sculptor of a neighbor's power sander to same some time: 6 hours


Day 3

Stain wood, let dry 15 minutes, wipe off excess: 25 min.


Day 4

Wood stain drying 24 hours, apply Thomson's water sealer, spray form: 5 min


Day 5

Let sealer dry in my basement.


Tomorrow is Day 6

After the sealer dries for 48 hours without coming in contact with water, the wood surface will be ready for outdoor use.


Here is the end result after Day 5:


Results: An Adirondack Style, Weather Proof, Douglas Fur, Patio Table.

15"x 13" Top.
21" High.

Total Cost of Materials: $29.00
Total Time Spent Constructing: 10.5 Hours

Original Table Design by DZ

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