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My version of the Mom's Lego Table
This is my second woodworking project. I picked up this hobby with some spare time and with my tools that were collecting dust after I completed most of my home renovations. Cost: $80 wood ($35 just on plywood) $35 hardware (2 recessed handles and 2 drawer pulls) $20 finishing products $40 lego baseplates On the lego baseplate side, I stained but only poly'd just enough so that the border around the plates would be covered. Baseplates had to be cut in order to get the custom size I wanted. The "play area" on one side of the table is 20 inches x 13.75 inches. Each side of the table is made with three 10x10 inch plates. Two 10x10s are side by side. The other 10x10 was cut with a razor to make it into two 10 x 3.75 inch pieces. I cut the plates so that I always had a "smooth edge" on three sides. I affixed the baseplates with epoxy. Simply butting up the baseplates does not work as the gap between plates is too small. To get the proper size, hold the baseplates together with lego pieces. Wipe any excess epoxy with mineral spirits. (Note: I tried liquid nails first on a test piece. The glue heats up after application and slightly warped the lego baseplate. Not recommended). The "mom side" of the coffee table has two recessed handles. The handles on the "lego side" are made with lego bricks. I drilled a tiny hole in the lego bricks. I threaded 50 lb fishing line through the lego brick to the hidden recessed area of the "mom's side handle" and tied off the line in there. Project took me over a month of time (probably 20-25 hours of labor). It could have and should have taken less, but I'm a newbie and am very cautious with my work.
Comments
Thu, 09/01/2011 - 08:26
Off topic: RUG
I am in LOVE with the area rug in this photo. Where can I get one???
Thu, 09/01/2011 - 11:35
Rug was bought from Zulily.
Rug was bought from Zulily. Its not available at the moment.
But google this:
Surya Oasis OAS-1000
In the picture, that's the 8x11 foot rug.
Sun, 08/20/2017 - 07:16
Thanks for details!
Thanks for the detail on how to cut and glue the lego plates. I like the recessed handles you used. Do you remember where you got them. Looks great!
Chevron kids table
Chevron kids table
Comments
Mon, 09/23/2013 - 08:57
Thank you for the compliment
Thank you for the compliment and the advise!!! Thought I did ..
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 07:12
link is broken
I tried clicking on your blog link and it doesn't work.... Love the table though:-)
Hall tree
We had a great time building this
We did the bottom half one weekday, and the top piece another day. Primer, painting, and sanding in all took us 6 days.
It look fantastic
Comments
Thu, 12/03/2015 - 10:18
Fantastic!
Thanks for sharing your awesome project, posted to our Facebook page today!
Farm House Bed w/Drawers
Used the farm house bed plans from here with a few modifications. Instead of plywood for the headboard and footboard, I used tongue and grove 1x6 planks. I used edge glued spruce planks from Lowes for the drawer fronts and I invested a bit more on the drawer slides and opted for the full opening type. Also, rather than 3 large drawers on either side, I opted to put 2 smaller drawers in the center. I felt the shallower drawers would be more useful for smaller items (socks and underwear). I also used a 3/4" molding to hid the ends of the plywood drawer boxes. The weathered finish was created using a video I found on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Via9Lz4Pw). My upgrades increased the overall price, but it was still under $600 and should last a lifetime.
Christmas tree box
I made this plan at my wifes’s request. I added a platform on the inside for our artificial tree and stencils on the outside of each side. Plan was relatively easy. We love the look. Bonus, made the tree taller. George from Arizona.
Comments
Sun, 11/27/2022 - 10:59
Great tree box!
Love the stain choice and the added stenciling, thanks for sharing!
$6 Bench
After seeing benches like these on a wedding blog, I really wanted to build my own. It was a super easy project, and really cheap! Here's what you need:
• 2 – 2x6x8′ boards. They cost about $3 each at Home Depot.
• Screws, sandpaper and stain.
Cut List:
3 – 2×6 @ 47″
4 – 2×6 @ 16″
That’s it! I decided how long I wanted my bench to be (which was 47" long by 16" tall). Then, I cut out my pieces. I decided to do 45 degree angle joints on the ends, as opposed to having a flat edge exposed on the sides. I had to use my table saw to get the 45′s on the legs and two flat boards. This was very effin’ scary. Using my Kreg jig, I drilled holes in both of the flat boards that sandwich the tall center one. I offset my holes so that the screws wouldn’t hit each other. You can see in the picture that I accidentally drilled holes in my center piece too. Builder fail. That side will just have to face the back ;)
Attach your 3 top boards together. Then screw in your legs. I decided not to countersink and fill, kind of because I like the industrial look, but mostly because I’m lazy. Then you just sand that sucker up and voila! You’ve got a gorgeous bench perfect for any home. I decided to get a little fancy with my finishing and do a two-tone stain. It took about an hour to do the two colors and not drip on everything, as opposed to the 15 minutes one color would take. I think the extra time was definitely worth it!
Comments
Mon, 03/12/2012 - 16:58
here's a dumb question
How is the center top board attached to the ones on either side? I've never built anything before, so this is probably obvious to everyone else. :-/
Mon, 03/12/2012 - 17:00
here's a dumb question
How is the center top board attached to the other top boards? I've never built anything, so this is probably obvious to everyone else. :-/
Mon, 03/12/2012 - 20:39
I used a kreg jig to join the
I used a kreg jig to join the 3 boards. If you don't have a jig you can "toenail" the screws by drilling them from below at a 45 degree angle. I would join the vertical into one side at a typical 90 degree angle, then toenail the other board. You could add extra security with L brackets
Tue, 03/13/2012 - 03:57
Scary table saw
The usual solution for cutting a long piece like this on a table saw is to build a crosscut sled first. There are a lot of good guides on the internet for how to build a crosscut sled.
I build something that is a bit oversized, so much so that I had to incorporate a box for some weights so it's stable on my table. But I can easily support a three foot board on this sled with room to spare before it runs off the end.
The sled supports the board and makes it so you aren't fighting your work in a dangerous situation. This sled made my saw completely non-scary to use.
One thing I've noticed about a table saw is that when you buy the saw, that's only the start of the tool. You'll spend a lot of time refining it with add-ons and jigs that you build for it.
Sat, 01/25/2014 - 11:12
Measurements
I wanted to make this bench, went and bought the supplies, got home to cut it, and the measurements are off. I cannot figure out any possible way to make this bench 47 inches long without running out of wood. Is it possible that the measurements are off? Or can I just not figure out how to cut it so I don't fall short on my wood? Someone please help!
Chair
I built this chair for about $12. I used 6 four foot landscaping timbers. The legs are 12''
and i used 1/4'' cedar or you could use pallets. The ends are Dog Cut . The chair is sealed and finished with Helsmans Clear. E mail me if you have any questions
Comments
Thu, 09/26/2013 - 11:04
I love it! New idea to make
I love it! New idea to make for my parent's cabin...
Thu, 09/26/2013 - 18:36
Share it with your friends
If I get enough comments, I will post the full Plan,
PS you will use 5'' Lag bolts to hold the joints. Really a easy project Just need, A Saw and a pencil.
Craft Table
Project was rather simple. Just wanted to create a space that my wife could work her projects rather than always working on our dinning room table. Took the concept of the plans and made the table work for the space we had available.
Coffee table
Sister asked me to make her a table. Since I am out or work right now I said yes and got this thing done in about 3 days!
Christmas Stocking stand
I enjoyed making this. The kids love it and it goes great in front of the fireplace.
#Todays_Spare_Time
Comments
School papers organized
Now that we've got two kids in school, the previous system of storing school papers just wasn't going to work (see pic below). I used the plans on Ana's site as a guideline and made the letter bin to fit my space. I decided to also make it a holder for the mail and all our keys.
This was made used all leftover wood hanging out in the garage. Luan was used for the letter bin, and strapping (1/2" pine) was used for the mail holder. I spray painted black and then painted it a creamy white, the color of our house trim. I distressed a little bit and then added the hooks. I hope it can stand the test of time.
Comments
Fri, 09/09/2011 - 10:17
Looks Great!
I'm actually getting ready to make something like this. I love what you did to yours. Great work!!!
Fri, 09/09/2011 - 16:42
Awesome
I just made the PB letter bin and now I wish I would have added the key hanger to the bottom since with 6 cars, we have tons of keys all over the place. Maybe I will make a separate one..
This looks awesome and I live the distressed finish.
Providence Bench
2x4s and a kreg jig is all you need!
Tree Shelf
We loved making this project, I even learned how to work with angles.
Modern Outdoor 2x Chairs
What a fast, fun, and FUNCTIONAL project! I did lower the seat height, as I think it allows you to sink into them a bit more -- especially with the cushions I had for them (which BTW, were on sale at Lowe's for $14.99/each.. normally like $60, I think). Thanks ANA, for making yet another project such a breeze!
Custom Shiplap Fireplace
photos sent in via email from Leanne
Markham Workbench Console and Rustic Hutch
I first saw this workbench and hutch on Ana's website, but didn't commit to the project until I saw them in person, as part of a model home that had been decorated by local Pottery Barn design services. I was sold. I built this for roughly $1900.00 less than PB charges. It was an easy weekend build for a guy with less than one years' experience in this arena.
Comments
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 16:20
Nice dude! I just finished
Nice dude! I just finished my console last weekend. Was it worth it making the matching hutch? I haven't decided if I'll do it yet.....Great job though.
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 11:23
Absolutely. It's minimal time
Absolutely. It's minimal time investment, and it really seems to finish the piece off. I went with seven 1x6's (instead of a plywood backing) to give the hutch a planked look.
Sat, 09/17/2011 - 15:19
Very very nice. This has
Very very nice. This has been on my build list for way toooo long. It is beautiful and inspiring! Thanks!!!
Fri, 02/24/2012 - 05:43
legs and the kreg jig
Great job! I'm starting this same project and just purchased the kreg jig system but I'm stuck on assembling the table legs using pocket holes. I don't want to have visible pocket holes, could you give a quick description on how you assembled the legs and attached them to the feet using pocket holes? Thanks!
Harvest Table Love
This Harvest table is the heart of our home. It was one of the first furniture projects we ever completed and my favorite finish to date. The night we spontaneously decided to buy lumber and build this table we had a lot of unexected visitors. We were out in the driveway working and a bunch of friends dropped by randomly so we all took a hand in building this table. It was so much fun. Spontaneous building party.
When I finished it it was my first time using a belt sander which wound up gouging some of the wood. The table top is super smooth but very rustic and I LOVE IT. I started with pre-stain conditioner, then cherry stain which I hated, then early american mixed with dark walnut. At this point it looked pretty lovely but I wanted it to look aged and gray so I lime waxed, dark waxed and buffed the whole surface of this piece. It turned out so special and you can see some red notes from the cherry stain and those are my favorite moments on this table.
Thanks again Ana.
** updated with a few better photos on 11/21
Toddler SIzed Easel
We opted to make this a regular easel (no chalkboard) and just used a sheet of paneling as the background. It's perfect, our toddler loves it. Thanks Ana!
tray painted with milk paint
Maple Bookcase with Fluted Trim
Just finished this maple bookcase with fluted trim for my daughter's room. I chose all maple trim even though it's painted because I wanted a good hardwood with low grain that would look good for decades to come. Full build details are on my website. Router bits used were a roman ogee and a core box bit.
Comments
Cornhole Boards with Custom Initials
Thank you for helping me make my first set of cornhole boards! Super easy steps to follow and I love how they turned out!!!
Comments
Ana White Admin
Thu, 11/17/2022 - 08:12
Great first project!
This looks fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing.