Hardwood Flooring as a Tabletop
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I told you about this table over a year ago, in my post Recent Finds June 18, 2012. This table landed on my doorstep. I love it when I don’t have to hunt for junk, so fun when it finds me.
I wonder why this has a number stenciled on the bottom of the top.
I removed the top.
I used my Homeright paint sprayer to give it a quick coat of black paint.
That was last year.
I contemplated putting a reclaimed fence top on it. It was rough, and when I sanded the wood, all of the patina was gone.
then.I.put.it.aside. for.a.year.
I recently dug it out of storage, and decided to use some spare hardwood flooring on it for a top. I was short one board using full length boards. I had to opt for adding two rows with one long and one short board. This picture is from a dry fit, to see if I like it.
I decided to go for it, I had nothing to lose. The table and the flooring were both just waiting for a purpose, and they both were freebies.
I had t rip the tongue off of one of the boards, and the groove off of another.
I worked on putting the boards together and gluing them.
After I glued all the boards I clamped them.
For added strength, I decided to use two supports underneath. I used two scrap pieces of wood.
I used my combination square to adjust the boards all the way around.
I screwed the supports to each board. I drilled pilot holes in the original brackets on the table, and attached the top to the brackets with screws.
Here is the new coffee table. I’m not loving it.
I do like the thickness of the table top, but being heavy, it makes the table a little wobbly. I believe I need to add another spindle about midway to the top.
You can see the little ripples in the flooring on each end.
Have you ever used flooring for a table top? This is not my first time, I used it on smaller side tables a LONG time ago.
Thoughts? Is this a project fail? Did I waste my time?
gail—
Not a fail, just a work in progress even if it has to sit in time-out for another year.
Are you able to under cut the edges all the way around the top at an angle to get rid of the chunky edge as well as hide the ridges from view? Just an idea…
Or..are you able to trim the top down to fit inside the frame of the bottom?
I agree, do add the extra spindle for support.
If you leave the top as is on top of the frame, I would stain the top a darker color to go with the black frame and round off the corners to soften the edges. To me, there is too much contrast in the lighter colored wood on top of the black frame and the chunky edges look unfinished.
I like it!!! I think if you can, adding another spindle would help with the support and add some more detail.
Nice fix! I really like the look.
I think this came out beautifully! way to rescue it 🙂
I agree with everyone else – add a frame out of some kind – and yes, add another spindle. I think painting or staining the top would also add to the table. DEFINITELY NOT a fail! LOVE that you used the flooring! hmmmm, we have some left over flooring…..
GAIL. Gail. You are a genius. We have some leftover flooring from when we did the basement, plus a coffee table that needs to be re-worked. GENIUS.
I like it…but definitely agree that it has to be sturdy, so I would add that support you were talking about. I also like the ideas above of trimming it out all the way around! You can’t beat FREE!!
very nice work…I agree about framing out the top but I think I would stain or paint the flooring as well
Not a fail. I think it needs to be trimmed out but that will add more weight to it so I think you’ll need to add all the support you can. I love the look of it though.
Good morning Gail! I agree with the poster who commented on framing the top. I’m on a big milk paint kick right now and would do a color wash over the black in your favorite color, but that’s me 🙂 If you wash the bottom you need to do something to relax the top too. Love the idea of flooring on a table top – so many options! Its a very cute piece! Post it again when you do anything more to it! Take care! — Pauline
what a great idea and i love the look of it!
I don’t think it is a fail, but i do think it may need to be framed out around the edges. the ends make me think it would be better to do an edge framing of some sort.
as for the weight and wiggle, i do think another spindle would be in order. it would help the stability.
good save on the base of the table! The stenciled number is a model number i am pretty sure. perhaps even just for the top, they may have used the base on more than one style top.