Carpentry and Woodworking - Material for a coffee table top
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jreed
06-11-09, 09:46 AM
I am getting ready to build a coffee table for my wife to place under our covered front porch. The plan I am using calls for a 2X4 sheet of OSB or some other type of plywoods setting on top of the frame. However, I would really like to give it a little different look than that, but am coming up blank on ideas. Any one have any suggestion? Here is what I am attempting, its pretty basic:
How to build a coffee table (http://www.buildeazy.com/coffee_lounge.html)
How to build a coffee table (http://www.buildeazy.com/coffee_lounge.html)
chandler
06-11-09, 04:13 PM
Since it is covered, and I am sure you will finish the surface, why not use a good 13 ply cabinet grade plywood, and band it with a solid wood, such as oak, poplar or pine. Do you plan on painting it or staining it?
Larry
Larry
DaveC72
06-11-09, 08:58 PM
If you have any glass-cutting businesses around , they might have a sheet laying around of some oddball size.. that might be perfect for you.
How about a plywood top.. knotty wood. Sand and varathane that up nice. Lay the glass on top of the wood (cut same size), then trim the outside edge with some solid wood (dowel glued would be nice, but glued and nailed should be ok for outdoor ?) to trap the glass in.
How about a plywood top.. knotty wood. Sand and varathane that up nice. Lay the glass on top of the wood (cut same size), then trim the outside edge with some solid wood (dowel glued would be nice, but glued and nailed should be ok for outdoor ?) to trap the glass in.
Allison1888
06-18-09, 06:37 PM
Also check around at stone fabricators. They often have odd pieces they will sell as remnants. We got a slab of marble that way and use it as a coffee table top.
DaveC72
06-18-09, 09:09 PM
A whole headstone would be sorta unique. Come to think of it.. having -your own- headstone as a coffee table would be a conversation piece I guess.. lol. No ending date on it yet, of course !! At least you'd get to look at it for a while before you needed to use it. Some cut granite for stubby legs and yer all set. :)
That stuff does look sharp Allison. Its amazing how much they can polish that rock. We have cut-off bits n pieces of all different stones.. put them together in a mosaic kinda thing in the wife's 'library' room's closet floor (made a fake fireplace out of it.. closed the top half off..). We filled in between the chunks with a mortar.
That stuff does look sharp Allison. Its amazing how much they can polish that rock. We have cut-off bits n pieces of all different stones.. put them together in a mosaic kinda thing in the wife's 'library' room's closet floor (made a fake fireplace out of it.. closed the top half off..). We filled in between the chunks with a mortar.
Hanr3
06-23-09, 09:29 PM
Its outside, build it for the elements. Not sure how the weather is where you live, however around here it does rain/snow/sleet sideways. Plus there is no hidding from teh sun unless you have walls and a roof.
If it were my coffee table I would make it from Mahagony or White Oak. Both woods are used in boat building and last a long time in a marine environment, lots of sun and water. Cedar would be another great choice, it'll produce a nice fragrant smell when wet.
If it were my coffee table I would make it from Mahagony or White Oak. Both woods are used in boat building and last a long time in a marine environment, lots of sun and water. Cedar would be another great choice, it'll produce a nice fragrant smell when wet.