My friend Tina and I did an amazing thing a couple weeks ago. We built a table! A big beautiful coffee table for her new place. We used Ana White's amazing free plans for the Tryde Coffee Table. With only about $30 in materials we got a $400 table!
For both of us this was our first building project, first time using power tools. It took twice as long as we planned, but we had fun. I learned a lot. Like measure twice, cut once (should I have learned this sewing??). After cutting a board that we needed too short, Tom ran out and got us another one. Sweetheart that he is!
Then we were having a problem with our power drill bits getting stuck in the wood, but it turned out that we were using it wrong. You just pull up to get the bit out, no backing up nonsense. Then we realized that we would bend less nails if we pre-drilled the screw holes AND nail holes. Let me tell you, it is way faster to pound in nails to partially pre-drilled holes then to pound it half way in, wrench it out because it bent and pound a new one in.
Soon I am going to have to twist Tom's arm into helping me build one for our living room. Hopefully it wont take as long as the first one. Lessons learned!
My husband made a kids table from her site, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tenacious_lace/4710127201/in/set-72157624298987764/#. Knock off Wood is a wonderful resource. Great job on your friend's table!
Posted by: Lynnette | October 21, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Oh, wow! That is great work! The table is beautiful.
Nina
Posted by: STYLIZIMO | January 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM