Coffee Table....

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Recently went furniture shopping with the wife, and she fell in love with a coffee table that she had to have. I about choked when I saw the price of it complete with a crappy wood top, thin metal and made in vietnam, I told her that if she had to have it I would make her one. The frame I am working on is Tig welded 16 gauge  1 x 1 steel, I would prefer to leave the welds as I like the look. However mama wants it smooth, so ground flush it is and it will be finished in a satin grey.I picked up some White Oak to use for the top that I will be gluing together and sanding flat with a clear finish, no stain - at least I won on that front.Price of coffee table she wanted $1000 +/-Price for 20ft of steel and 15 ft of White Oak $65 plus my time.Here is a picture of the type of table she wanted.Here is a couple picture of my progress for the ends, I didn't take any pictures of the cut metal or welds as they were going bye bye anyways. My plan is to make some tabs and weld them to the upper part of the frame and use some threaded inserts on the bottom of the wood top to attach it to the metal frame.
Reply:I like that you aren't staining the wood. Looking forward to seeing the results.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:$65 to $1000 is a nice profit margin , if only you could sell them all the time.
Reply:Looks good! ive always wanted to give this a shot. And hell with that expensive one. Built not bought!
Reply:Originally Posted by AluminumWelder$65 to $1000 is a nice profit margin , if only you could sell them all the time.
Reply:Finished welding the frame, I need to do some finish work grinding on the welds then primer and paint it.
Reply:Thanks for the kind words, very impressive job with all those tables.
Reply:looks great so farLast edited by Jimmy_pop; 03-24-2015 at 09:23 AM.
Reply:Frame looks great..use some old barn board on top with a clear epoxy coat for protection and to make it smooth with no splinters....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbFrame looks great..use some old barn board on top with a clear epoxy coat for protection and to make it smooth with no splinters....
Reply:Glueing the oak together for the top, when its dry Ill trim it down then sand it with 120,150 and 180. After that I will apply a few coats of clear poly on it and sand with 220 in between coats.The discolored spots are water from glue clean up and the sheen is from tape residue, it will be removed in the sanding process.
Reply:Waiting for final coat of clear to dry then i will be attaching the bottom with some threaded inserts i drilled into the top. last picture of top before its a legit coffee table.
Reply:Love the look, wood and metal have a great contrast.  Don't forget that wood moves so slot the holes in the tabs some to allows the wood to expand and contract without splitting.
Reply:Originally Posted by Phil SnyderLove the look, wood and metal have a great contrast.  Don't forget that wood moves so slot the holes in the tabs some to allows the wood to expand and contract without splitting.
Reply:Very nice work! Beautiful table!DB
Reply:Lookin sweet!Plus, your wife will think you're even more of a stud! Good job Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Looks good, once you finish could you describe in some detail how you finished the frame?
Reply:The frame is almost done being painted, she changed her mind on what color she wanted its now titanium silver made by Rustoleum and it sprays like garbage. It is one of those primer, paint all in one including metal flake. I don't ever recommend using them to anyone unless you feel like doing lots of touch up work to get rid of the thick sags that is created when the tip decides to clog all of a sudden. Which I have noticed is quite often with this crap.Here is the top of the table I left the tubes open since you wont be able to see them anyways.Here is a pic of the bottom of the table, I welded some 1/8th inch flat steel then ground it flush to drill and tap it for leveling feet/protectors. You can see the holes in the upper part for the screws to go through and attach to the table top, I elongated these holes to get the washer and screw head through. The other hole is slightly oversized to allow for wood expansion so the top doesnt crack.Last edited by show; 03-26-2015 at 06:39 PM.Reason: extra stuff
Reply:The paint looks pretty good regardless, looking forward to seeing the finished product
Reply:Originally Posted by NVDuckSlapperThe paint looks pretty good regardless, looking forward to seeing the finished product
Reply:Great project, I might have to make something similar, thanks for posting up!2 Hobart MIG welders, 1 on the gas 1 flux coreHTP Invertig 221 DV Eastwood TIG200HTP MIG 2400
Reply:The Rustoleum spray cans with the new white nozzles on them suck. I quit buying their paint when they went to them.The hammered finish isn't all that bad. Personally, I would investigate local powder coating places and see what they charge. I've went about exclusively to powder coat now and it's much better than paint, and cheaper in most cases versus automotive enamels.Good job on the table man!Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I like it!   I have made a couple tables this winter and have been having a great time doing it.   I was worried about getting it level and finally put on my big boy pants and just went for it.Problem I have is getting a smooth surface on a piece of walnut with a vertical grinder!!!!!
Reply:Nice job. Looks great.
Reply:I got extremely busy with a family emergency and work and I forgot to post pictures of the finished table in its final resting place (until the wife changes her mind). Its currently in the theater room. I guess this means I am going to be building a new office desk now.....Last edited by show; 04-22-2015 at 02:41 PM.Originally Posted by 7A749The Rustoleum spray cans with the new white nozzles on them suck. I quit buying their paint when they went to them.The hammered finish isn't all that bad. Personally, I would investigate local powder coating places and see what they charge. I've went about exclusively to powder coat now and it's much better than paint, and cheaper in most cases versus automotive enamels.Good job on the table man!