So have you ever had the great desire to randomly build something? Now and then I get these overwhelming urges to hold a hammer or handle a saw and build something with my own two hands from wood. Last time it was a toddler bed for my son. This time it was for a long skinny table.
I got the idea when I saw four old banister poles at my local Restore Store. For two dollars a piece I had legs for a table. I wish I could say I followed exact measurements, but in reality I pretty much eye balled everything and with a jigsaw and hand tools I built a thin table for living room. Perfect for not taking up too much space but having a space to place things!
What I used
- Four banister poles (Not sure if this is what they are called. I got for $2 each)
- 1in x12in x 4ft board. (Scrap I had from another project.)
- 1 in by 2 in wood. (I cut it to build a frame that fit just under the larger board.)
- 2 pieces cut to four feet
- 2 piece cut about a few mm longer than 10 inches. Again I eyeballed most of my measurements accept for my legs.)
- Nails
- Screws
- Little one hole "L" brackets
- Hammer
- Jig Saw
- Screw Driver
- Tape measure (For people who work smarter than me. )
- Sand paper
The first thing I did was measure out how long I wanted my legs. I wanted the table to be pretty high so I could easy put things on it without stopping down. I had plans on putting it by the door and just wanted something thin and tall enough to toss my keys and phone on when I came home.
First thing I did was cut my thin pieces of wood and build the frame for under the table. These are the pieces that will help secure the legs in place.
I used four of the little brackets to secure the frame to the table top. Then flipped the table top over and put a few nails in it for extra security. There is probably a more
professional way of doing this, but I found it pretty secure. Also i forgot to mention that four of these little "L" brackets along with screws cost less than $2 dollars.
The next step was to clean up the old banister poles and saw off the angle edge. Here I used pliers to remove the old nails and then a jig saw to clean up and cut the edges I needed. I kept the legs around 3 feet tall. I had my husband watch T.V. and sand the rough edges to keep a clean look.
The next part is little hard to describe. I used small "L" brackets to secure one side of each leg up against each corner of the underneath of the table. Then put nails through the frame into the legs of the table. Then I ran out of "L" brackets. It was lat at night and the hardware store was closed and Walmart didn't have what I wanted. So I there I was stuck with still slightly wabbly legs that needed that other side secured. I tried doing the triangle brackets, but it just wasn't working no matter many I used. A bunch of poor nails died along with some screws...It was an epic battle and a long night.
However it is like I meantioned in a previous post, sometimes the answer is just right infront of you. With four simple screws, I secured the other sides of the legs and got four solid and secure legs. I had to stop for a little while my little helper inspected my work.
By now you will notice the couch and rug and living room type setting around my project area. And yes, this is my living room where I decided to randomly a build a table. My home is small so I don't have a large space to build anything other than between my kitchen and living room. No worries my precious babies where in the other rooms fenced off watching T.V. By now they are use to Mommy doing crazy things in the other room.
After a few tweaks and little extra nails, the table was complete. I still need to paint it, but for now it does a pretty good job holding some pretty flowers, a tea pot and a sippy cup. :)
My little helper even approves. :)
Hopefully this can inspire you to go a build your own peices. Don't be afraid to pick up a hammer and take a crack at something..
Stay Creative and Inspired
