Metal Coffee Table Build

[white91formula]

I wanted to share my coffee table build with you guys. I will update it as I go. Hopefully you enjoy.


I want to start with this, as this is my inspiration for the build. It wont be exact to this as I am not planning on doing the bottom shelf and I am going to make the top a lift top, but I am using this as a starting point.



Materials/Cost :

1 6527K134, 1" W, 1" H, .060" Wall Thickness, 6' Length 4 Each $71.04
2 6527K424, 3" W, 3" H, .125" Wall Thickness, 6' Length 1 Each $61.00
3 6527K234, 1-1/2" W, 1-1/2" H, .083" Wall Thickness, 6' L 2 Each $67.28
4 8920K115, 1/4" Diameter, 6' Length 4 Each $ 17.88
5 C25 Welding Gass 88 cuin $40
6. 4.5" cutoff wheel x 5 $9.98
7. 4.5" 60grit flap wheel $7.61

Shipping $49.57
Total 324.36

Time : 14 hrs (as off 10/13/14)

Tools Used:

4.5" Angle Grinder
4.5" cut off wheels
4.5" 60grit flap disc
Center Punch
32oz Ball Peen
Porter Cable 18v Drill
Wire wheel
#7 Carbide Drill
7/16 Drill
Countersink
Miller 211 Mig Welder
C25 shielding gas
24" metal square
2 Magnetic Welding Clamps
3 Hockey Pucks
Sharpie
5" Bench Vise



So to start I cut all of my materials up and tacked together the basic frame



Then I made my design and drilled the holes in the rails of the frame



Bend and cut my design pieces



One side together. Took some fighting to get all of the pieces in between the rails. But I think I figured out a good groove for the next 3 sides.



THis is how the bent pieces sit between the rails currently. The ones that have split pieces I had to tack together to keep them in place. The ones that are straight between the rails are just floating in there for now.



I have decided to weld all of the pices in place. Orginally I wanted to TIG weld them to make it cleaner, but after experimenting with the MIG welder I have it doesnt look bad.



More updates as I go along.

 

[shocwav3]

Looks good. Lots of tedious cutting and welding...

 

[toofart]

Nice work so far!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Love it, nicely detailed and well executed.

 

[sqznby]

Very nice work.


Where about is Boston do you live?
Moved from Boston to NC about 5 years ago. I miss it.

 

[white91formula]

Im on the Watertown/Cambridge line.

 

[white91formula]

Some good progress this weekend.

Got sides 2, 3 and 4 done.







Welded up all of the joints and the top plates. Started cleaning up the exterior welds





Also tested a spot to clean up all of the bent pieces. Looks like its going to come out nice and shiney. Still need to clean up some of the spatter and such, but it looks promising

 

[gbh]

I for one, would be very happy to have such a nice coffee table in my home.
Nicely done!

 

[Beaumont67]

That coffee table design is over the top, a beautiful custom.
- especially the metal integration into the wood top

white91formula
Thanks for sharing your great metal /wood fabrication build.

 

[shocwav3]

Coming along nicely. What are your plans to finish the metal?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Very cool, can't wait to see how it finishes up...

 

[Stooge]

You have my interest!, im really liking where this is going, nice design and execusion so far, looking forward to seeing more.

 

[tinmann83]

Good looking table!

 

[gus1962]

Nice looking table. Neat finishing and welding skills.

 

[Daveo]

I really like that! Waiting for more....

 

[RogueFab]

Wow. Nice work so far. Thanks for the high level of detail on materials, cost, and tools.

 

[classicJackets]

Very cool. I'm interested to see what you do with the top!

 

[white91formula]

Coming along nicely. What are your plans to finish the metal?

I'm planning on wire wheeling it so its shiny and clear coating it. Want to leave it raw to show off all of the work I did

Thanks for all of the kind words guys, I'll be posting progress as I go!

 

[srmofo]

Its all fun and games until someone losses a toe kicking that bad boy,lol.

 

[white91formula]

Ok guys looking for a little feedback here... I am considering making this a lift top table. I also realized I might want it a little wider than originally built. Modeled up a few configurations I could go with. I think at this point i am also going to put the dark stained wood behind all of the bent pieces to show them off more.

A: Lift top with larger top than current base
B: Lift top with top same size as current base
C: No lift top, current base with top built in.



What do you guys think ?

 

[Stooge]

do you have a design for the lift top mechanism? the first thing i thought of, was most tables with the lift mechanisms i've encountered have been particle board with wood veneering and the lifting tray doesnt have a lot of weight, a lot less than a steel framed table. getting the upper portion to actuate semi-fluidly and stay put without running the risk of it slamming down, (i dont know if you have little kids with little hands?), could be a headache unless your stealing the mechanism from another table. the table looks great so far, my vote is to keep it simple without the lift, maybe with the overhanging, non built in top.

 

[white91formula]

do you have a design for the lift top mechanism? the first thing i thought of, was most tables with the lift mechanisms i've encountered have been particle board with wood veneering and the lifting tray doesnt have a lot of weight, a lot less than a steel framed table. getting the upper portion to actuate semi-fluidly and stay put without running the risk of it slamming down, (i dont know if you have little kids with little hands?), could be a headache unless your stealing the mechanism from another table. the table looks great so far, my vote is to keep it simple without the lift, maybe with the overhanging, non built in top.

Yes I would make my own hinges. Wasn't worried about the weight.

No kids....

 

[davetulk]

Option B would be my vote, but if extra size is a show stopper A is still cool.

The hinge idea I stole a while back from the web:

Fairly simple design to replicate, and with your great work it would look killer!!

 

[Garage Junky]

Awesome design. Will there be panels on the side to cover the contents of the inside shelf (under the top of the table)?

 

[2cool2hear]

That is one gorgeous coffee table. Go with Dave's suggestion! You should do more projects like this.
Keep em coming!

 

[white91formula]

Got the other side welded up as well as all of the bent pieces. Next up is grinding smooth and cleaning up.

 

[Thierry]

Waouw what a great job !!!
I'm personnally not able to weld ( I know, I have to learn... ) but your job is really impressive

 

[white91formula]

just a teaser to what the finish is going to look like.

All welding done at this point for the base anyways. welds ground down and flush where they are going to be.



just clean up on the base at this point. starting the top soon.

 

[Idle Serge]

Very nice!

I just shared this link with a buddy who's trying to get ideas for his Bar he is thinking about making soon. Good stuff! I like C btw but the storage idea is awesome!

 

[mouchaxl]

very nice work - I make a copy? It will be in Europe ..

 

[littleponderosa]

thats just too cool. nice work.

isn't plagarism the highest form of flattery?

my glass coffee table is over, with the woman now having broken both the top and bottom glass - table being over 30+ years old, i've been looking for something that is not easily broken.

with your work, i may have found it. come up with a method of incorporating your tag name onto a leg for the kudo of inspiration.

Bill

 

[bombtech]

What did you coat the table with? I respect your creativity, that thing came out great. I am inspired so thanks.

I built a simple sink base last year of similar construction. I ground it to bare rough steel, wiped it down with Ospho, and shot it with a matte clear powder coat. It kept the industrial look without being too flashy. I added a glass top and some legs / risers from Ikea. The clear powder coat has worked out very well.

 

[saceone]

^^ I really like the sink! great idea


the table looks great too!
also, the more I look at the other builds, I realise I really need to step up and plug the damn gas to my lincoln mig140. great thread

 

[airrj]

Stunning build. I have had an idea of a steel and wood TV stand you have given me some motivation.

I have a question about your materials list. You listed 88cuin of gas, do you have a way to calculate your gas usage? Or just a good guess? I have started doing some welding projects for others and I want get better at estimating consumables.

 

[white91formula]

thats just too cool. nice work.

isn't plagarism the highest form of flattery?

my glass coffee table is over, with the woman now having broken both the top and bottom glass - table being over 30+ years old, i've been looking for something that is not easily broken.

with your work, i may have found it. come up with a method of incorporating your tag name onto a leg for the kudo of inspiration.

Bill

Already ahead of you!

my initials and date

 

[white91formula]

I have a question about your materials list. You listed 88cuin of gas, do you have a way to calculate your gas usage? Or just a good guess? I have started doing some welding projects for others and I want get better at estimating consumables.

I have a 88cuin tank for my welder. at this point I am down to 500psi in the tank so i am going to have to get it filled soon.

I blew through the must gas when i was welding up all of the decorative pieces.

 

[white91formula]

Got started on my top today. After talking with the GF i decided to go with C with the overlapping lift top.

Got all of my pieces cut up. Again had to do it with the 4.5" angle grinder and a cutoff wheel



Got everything tacked together and kind of mocked it up on top with some magnetic blocks. Good idea of how its goign to sit when done.



Ended up getting almost another 8 inches out of it. I am happy with the length now.



Laid out what the top is going to look like. Still need to order some steel to make the top pattern.





More to come after i get some more materials.

Thanks for all of the support and kind words!

 

[white91formula]

What did you coat the table with? I respect your creativity, that thing came out great. I am inspired so thanks.

I built a simple sink base last year of similar construction. I ground it to bare rough steel, wiped it down with Ospho, and shot it with a matte clear powder coat. It kept the industrial look without being too flashy. I added a glass top and some legs / risers from Ikea. The clear powder coat has worked out very well.

I havent coated it yet, planning on either getting it clear coated to clear powder coated.

That sink looks awsome, is the actual sink clear glass as well ?

 

[bombtech]

Yes, the whole chunk is 1" tempered glass. It looks like someone just magically pushed a bowl down in the glass twice. It was too unique to not use. I bought it from a importer who was going out of business years ago, the original base was some fake mahogany frame that didn't belong with such a cool countertop.

The powder coat was really an interesting process, I actually did it at a friend's MC shop. His oven is big enough for bike frames and I had just about 1 inch clearance above the table while It was baking. You have unlimited color options and finishes in matte or gloss tints now with powder . I recommend it if you have the option available just for the sake of durability. Mine is in a humid environment so I had no choice, but now that I see the finished durable coating I will use it on everything.

I have been looking for a chunk of reclaimed wood to make the shelf from. It will span across the lower supports. I wanted to maintain the Earthy tones in the room. I live in South Florida. Nothing here is old but the drivers. Reclaimed wood isn't exactly laying around for guys like me to find in barns. Next road trip North will hopefully lead to something.

Where are you getting the wood from on yours?

 

[2cool2hear]

KEEP EM COMING!!

And the sink stand looks awesome!