Woodworks, making a coffee table.

[BioNerd]

Hello,

I will build a coffee table, and I was wondering if any of you had made one or really like one and wanted to share pics and tips for inspiration.

I'm thinking to:

use hardwood, something like VG fir or both.

I want to wax it or use tung oil or spray it with water based poly.

Stain dark and make it look a bit more like aged.

Thanks

 

[greenbikemike]

Well,
made one from an old kitchen table and some tree limbs.....only cost was the stain and poly.....

 

[BioNerd]

Very nice!

 

[McFarmer]

Using plumbing fixtures as part of the project is becoming big, easy to make the legs. I like some I've seen and others not so much.

An attractive slab of hardwood supported by large recycled pipe fixtures would fit in a lot of places.

 

[MotoDave]

My wife showed me a side table generally like this, and I went from there:

frame is just thin wall 1" steel tube, painted with 'cast iron' spray paint. Top is 2x8 or 10 (cant remeber) redwood, I chose it because it has a lot more interesting grain than typical builder grade fir 2x material. I knocked off the rounded corners with a chamfer bit. Wife picked the stain, + a few coats of poly, and I think I'm under $50 in material all said and done.

 

[ez-duzit]

VG fir is not hardwood.

 

[BioNerd]

VG fir is not hardwood.

Lol, i said:

Hardwood, VG fir OR BOTH.

Is it clear that i was separating them now?

 

[BioNerd]

Using plumbing fixtures as part of the project is becoming big, easy to make the legs. I like some I've seen and others not so much.

An attractive slab of hardwood supported by large recycled pipe fixtures would fit in a lot of places.

That is very interesting.... Hmmm

 

[BioNerd]

My wife showed me a side table generally like this, and I went from there:

frame is just thin wall 1" steel tube, painted with 'cast iron' spray paint. Top is 2x8 or 10 (cant remeber) redwood, I chose it because it has a lot more interesting grain than typical builder grade fir 2x material. I knocked off the rounded corners with a chamfer bit. Wife picked the stain, + a few coats of poly, and I think I'm under $50 in material all said and done.

You know, my dining table was made out of studs. It's pretty bad ***. More like a wabisabi style tho.

I believe that simplicity and humility accent skillmanship.

I was thinking to match it. It's waxed.

 

[PugetDude]

You know, my dining table was made out of studs. It's pretty bad ***. More like a wabisabi style tho.

I believe that simplicity and humility accent skillmanship.

I was thinking to match it. It's waxed.

Nice workmanship.

 

[BioNerd]

Nice workmanship.

I know! I think the previous home owner made it, nice!

 

[greenbikemike]

Very nice!

Thanks....a kid I know wanted to built a table for his mom....he didn't have alot of money...so this is what we came up with.
thanks again,
GBM

 

[upndown]

Hey GBM, Nice table! I see how you fastened the legs to the top, how did you connect the three legs at the bottom?

 

[tarbellb]

You have a particular style or look your going for? Any materials specifically stand out to you?

I design and build furniture for a living, so narrowing down your style will help.

 

[KMScott]

I like Stickley's designs and built this computer desk inspired by his work. I need a coffee table and will design one similar. I used cherry in this desk. I like the steel and wood design from MotoDave.

 

[BioNerd]

I like Stickley's designs and built this computer desk inspired by his work. I need a coffee table and will design one similar. I used cherry in this desk. I like the steel and wood design from MotoDave.

Oh, I love that...

I think I'm tending to go for using studs and go for a lil more rustic/wax style, like I did when I made these reclaimed lumber vanities:

I think I want to match my dining table in some way, finish, angles, edges...

 

[er3456df]

I have no idea how it will age, but I used cedar 2x6's to build a coffee table for my sister.

Was really nice to work with, being that it was very dry and much straighter than any of the pine at my Home Depot.

For the edges, I used a pocket knife to break the sharp edges off. Tried my best to keep it straight, and the natural tendency to wander was just enough to make it look a bit aged without being too rustic. Clear acrylic, no stain, and it fits in well with other light-wood antiques.

 

[ez-duzit]

Hello,

I will build a coffee table...
I'm thinking to:

use hardwood, something like VG fir or both.

I want to wax it or use tung oil or spray it with water based poly.

Stain dark and make it look a bit more like aged.

Thanks

For a coffee table I'd use hardwood. Since you want it dark, better to start with a dark wood. For inspiration, I'd visit a couple lumber yards specializing in hardwoods. And plan the project around what is available that catches your eye. Have overall dimensions in mind. It is nice to make the top entirely from the same board, so color and grain closely match. Lots of ways to edge-join the lumber--depends on what tools you already have.

Easier to begin with veneered plywood and apply solid edging of the same species. Some yards will sell 1/4 or 1/2 sheet.