The Finished Table : Welcome Home

Well, the table is all complete! Before we get into the final product, let’s talk a little about what we did this weekend, lessons learned and the overall project. First, what we did this weekend.

With just a few final steps left, this weekend was all about staining and connecting the pieces. Before staining though, we first applied minwax’s wood conditioner, to make sure that everything would look the very best. We had a slight issue with that, but more on that at the end. Now staining was a more difficult task than we had anticipated, not because the process was hard (it wasn’t), because finding the right stain we wanted was nearly impossible. We don’t have much furniture in our living room (we only have a side table), but we wanted to try to match the color. A slight reddish tone, but still somewhat dark. We started with a Minwax’s “English Chestnut,” which according to the can, was exactly that color. After we applied it on a test strip, it had no reddish tone at all, and was relatively just dark. Next up we attempted Minwax’s “gunstock,” which was just simply too red and not remotely dark enough. The problem with these stains was really that they don’t come in a sample size. Sure, you can buy a small “sample” size for $5, or you can buy a full size can for $7. For each of these, we bought the full size, thinking if one worked, we wouldn’t need to go back to the store. Well, neither worked…that is until we did a little experiment. We took the sample piece of “english chestnut” and applied a second coat of “gunstock” to it. Wouldn’t you know it, we had a look pretty darn close to what we were going for. So that was our plan going forward, a first coat of “english chestnut,” followed by a second coat of “gunstock.”

Once we had (finally) finished staining everything on Saturday and opened all the windows to try to get the smell out of our house, it was time to assemble the table top to the base. First, I attached the four long top slats together using the pocket holes I drilled previously. I had some wood vices that my dad had lent me to make sure everything was flush together.

Then I attached those four pieces to the base from underneath, using the three stringers that went across the base. I made sure to line up the center crease with the long bottom stringer so that everything was even.

Then it was time to attach the breadboards to the end of the table using pocket screws and screws from underneath so no holes would be visible on the table top.

Once everything was attached, it was pretty sturdy, but I was slightly concerned with the breadboards not having enough support. I am sure it was fine, but if someone pushed down hard enough, I was afraid they would break off, and we want this table to last for a very long time. So, I cut 6 pieces at a 45 degree angle and attached them under the breadboards, thus making them rock solid.

With the last screw in, and two coats of polyurethane applied (we’ll be applying a third coat on the table top tonight), the table is finally done. Ignore the drop cloth in the finished picture, I was paranoid about moving it just yet. Oh, and remember last time I said I was going to add a special and personal touch, well, I did. It was this, I added a 2011 penny into the table, that way if this table does last forever, I can always tell what year I built it.

And now for the final product, I must say, I’m really happy with how it all turned out. Now all we need is some chairs and a rug to go under it. I know MC is eager and ready to start decorating it, buying some new placemats and whatnot…oh wait, she already did that. That makes me happy though, because I know she likes it just as much as I do.

Now, about those lessons learned. First off, the whole wood conditioner thing, well, we found it that a drop cloth won’t stop it from getting on your floors. Yup, I spilled it, mere seconds after MC said “don’t spill that.” I actually picked it up to move it and it slipped out of my hands. I blame the rubber gloves. Speaking of which, when using super glue (like I did for the penny), wear rubber gloves. Why? Because I glued two of my fingers together. Yeah, that really happened. I was able to get them unglued, but it wasn’t pretty (or painless). Lesson three, if staining, do it in a well ventilated area. We had all of our windows open and our house still smells. Lesson four, use clamps…for the love of everything, use clamps. Wood slips when you are screwing them together, so make sure everything is clamped down. Lesson five, check your wood (heh heh). We have on board that is slightly warped, which I didn’t notice until I screwed it all down. The table isn’t 100% perfect, but I guess that is what gives it that custom look.

I love it, and I made that with my bare hands. Special thanks to my dad for all the help, advice, inspiration and encouragement. Thanks Dad, that one’s for you .