Comments on: Large Farm table

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 03:38:46 +0000

You are so right that not everyone has more room than a crowded garage. Not everyone can set up a work space in the master bedroom with the saw dust vents (?) holes (?) facing out the sliding glass door. There’s something to be said for living alone!
Hopefully you can find a planer 2nd hand as I did, or collaborate with someone on getting one! Changed my building life! As much as my Jig did!

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:34:01 +0000

Ok, Chickie-doodle. It’s time to invest in another can’t-live-without tool. Particularly for flat surfaces like tables. Shelving. Door and drawer fronts.

I agree with you totally, that one should have a Kreg jig. A jig saw, reciprocating saw, oscillating saw (think Fein Multi-Master), circular saw, and at least a table-top table saw. Don’t forget a chop or compound miter saw. Yeah!

Equally wonderful are the different sanders, oscillating sander being THE most valuable. Then we have the next level. I just picked up the Craftsman impact driver (a heavy duty screwdriver, IMHO) that has different attachments. I got a router, jig saw, 3/4″ circular, oscillating, reciprocating and jig saw attachments, plus a sander. 20 volt, lithium batteries last 18 hours or more. Am seriously thinking of giving some of my individual tools away.

So, my biggest suggestion to a definite pro like you:
Get your bad self a table top joiner (for smoothing edges) and [drum roll] a DeWalt table top PLANER! I bought mine from someone disassembling his shop. It takes boards as wide as 13″. I canNOT explain the difference this makes in smoothness. I use my Kreg Jig, but sometimes I biscuit. (another interesting, fun tool) Either way, the planer creates such a smooth surface that’s soooo great to touch! I wish I’d had this when I made a 16′ butcher block counter top! The sanding I wouldn’t have had to do! I digress. (easily)

These are definitely Christmas and birthday type tools, but worth every hint you can dream up. You work too hard and create too beautiful pieces not to have these in your arsenal!

Love your work and love your processes. Thanks for taking the time to post!

By: girlfromwva

girlfromwva — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 03:55:56 +0000

I love the legs and drawers on the table. Maybe you can sand it down and then paint it another color that isn’t shiny. ???

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 01:30:10 +0000

I would just distress the top and sand it a bit and then leave it alone, sorry this was stressful. I like your stuff so don’t stress out this was good period.

By: Skip Morris

Skip Morris — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:01:48 +0000

Gail, I really respect your work and I actually find it encouraging that you struggle with your projects as well. You’ve turned me on to upcycling and have given me many good ideas and tips (Love my mini-Kreg jig!). I’m also working on a table project. I picked it up for $10 but didn’t realize two of the leg braces were almost broken down. Will learn a lot as I try to replace these pieces.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:39:37 +0000

I’m actually looking for this kind of table for my craft room. Where are you located?

By: cassie

cassie — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:47:22 +0000

so much better! i love the new top!

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:51:08 +0000

Umm this table is spectacular! And $8… why don’t I run into good deals like this!??! Great job!

By: Paige @ Little Nostalgia

Paige @ Little Nostalgia — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:36:19 +0000

Ugh, tables are hard. The only one I’ve done so far is the $10 coffee table I got on eBay. It was… well, it was a headache and I’m still not happy with how it looks after hours of working on it. I might try one last thing when it warms up for good, but otherwise I’ll just drag it to the curb. Over it!

By: Bob Callinan

Bob Callinan — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:25:19 +0000

I would have just put it aside for awhile and gone on to a new project. You could come back to it later with a fresh perspective and maybe a whole different approach and direction. Creativity doesn’t like to be forced. It still could turn out to be very useful but maybe not with the original idea.