BackYard DIY Builder

Building for the love of it

Simpson Tie End Tables

By: comment

While i was shopping at our local building supply store this past summer I came across a package. It was a Simpson Work Bench or Shelving Hardware Kit. 🙂

So I already made a workbench but i wanted to try something a little different and use a new technique i saw called torching. 🙂  And if you know me and even if you don’t know me yet you’ll soon know that i don’t always follow the rules. 🙂  It seems that the torching technique is very old.

The term “Shou-Sugi-Ban” is Japanese (焼杉板) and literally translates to “burnt cedar board”. The term is commonly used to describe the centuries old Japanese technique of charring “Sugi” (cedar) planks used for residential siding, fencing, and decking projects.

So i decided to make a couple of end tables using this technique.  So i determined what size i wanted and took measurements off  an end table we had inside.

I used a simple propane torch that I had on hand, and a spray bottle standing by.  I only lightly torched the wood and used the spray to put out any flames.

I torched each piece individually.

For this project i made a list of all the materials i needed.

2×4’s  – 8 at 8ft each   $25.00

4 Simpson Ties per table or 1 Box Simpson Workbench Kit $50.00

For the Top of the side table i had some re-claimed cedar fence boards on hand. So I decided to use the same process on them as i did on the legs. And WOW was i ever pleased with the results .

The next step was assembling the base, which was extremely easy using the Simpson Ties.

When i was starting to assemble the base, I discovered the easiest way way to do it upside down !! That way everything stays in relatively the proper position and the top of the table is flush when your ready to attach the top. 🙂

The top was a little bit more of a challenge since nothing ever goes exactly accordingly to plan.  I was using re-claimed fence boards.

3 full boards was going to almost work but i needed a couple small pieces of 1 inch filler board.  So I made a jig that i could use to cut a small strip of ceder board.

I used my handy Back & Decker Matrix multi tool with the circular saw attachment.

 

After all the boards were cut and attached with finishing nails I decided that a coat of Triple Thick Varathane was the perfect finish since i wanted to keep the grain look.

FINISHED PRODUCT

 

X Frame Side Table

By: comment

Looking through several DIY Blogs I found one true inspiring page.  The Rogue Engineer

And his plans for a side table.  http://rogueengineer.com/diy-lybrook-side-table-plans

 

Following the well laid out plans and cut instructions I prepared my wood and ready for assembly.

The only problem I had was cutting a  50 degree cut for the X on the table. SO I improvised and could only do a 45 degree cut.

The other modification I made was the top.   I used some reclaimed fence boards that I had.

Before I assembled I sanded and stained each piece of wood a dark walnut.

Once the base was assembled I was able to choose the fence boards I wanted for the top, and once again sanded and stained the boards.

Once I attached the top, the boards were uneven so I turned the table upside down and use my small circular saw to cut the boards the same length.

* Next time I make one i’m going to take pictures of how I cut the sides.

 

Finished Side Table with cedar top.

 

 

 

 

Custom Entertainment Unit

By: comment

Hi there !!

I have been instructed by my darling wife that we need a new entertainment unit for our bedroom.

Problem one the typical units won’t fit because of the ceiling angles in the room.  So we have come up with a plan, well she did

Now its my job to put her vision into reality. 🙂

So today we went to the local mill and got some ROUGH cut wood 🙂  NO PRESS-BOARD  for us. !!

Our list consisted of  1 4×4, 6 1×6, and a couple 2×6.  And because it came from the mill its going to have to dry out a little. 🙂

So here is the wood , and please prey for me 🙂

UPDATE March 3rd Assembly begins.  

Hello everyone On March 3rd we began our assembly of our custom entertainment unit.

But before we did that we did a lot of prep for the rough wood we got from our local mill. We had to sand down the rough finish you get from a mill. That’s why its less expensive than getting finished wood from a lumber store. Plus we just wanted to try something new 🙂

We decided not to use the 4×4’s and made the decision to choose 2×12’s for the sides.

First we use the 2×6 for the top. 

 

Since the wood we bought from the mill is rough cut it was up to us to remove the rough finish. Since I don’t have a wood planer, I made this Wood Planer Jig to remove the rough surface of the 2×6 that we are using for the top of our unit.

Once the planing was done and the inside joints were prepared with the router to make sure the two boards join tight. I used a self centering doweling jig to get a tight joint. Then i used straps to tighten the boards together and make a solid joint.

It was my first time this jig and as long as you line up the holes straight you’ll just need a rubber mallet to tap the boards together.  Then sanding ,sanding and more sanding.

Get a good supply of sanding discs for your orbital sander. You are going to need them 🙂

After all the sanding we had a great looking top for our unit and stained.

Next was making spacers from 2×12 boards of cedar.  We cut into chunks 10×12. Then sanded, and sanded.

I used my Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes to fasten the cedar blocks to the lower shelf on each outer side and the middle.

Here is the Left , Middle and Right.  I also used cedar 4×4 cut into 3 inch cubes for the feet.

We put two 1×6’s on top of the cedar chunks to make our second shelf.  Then three more 2×12 slabs preparing for the top shelf.

 

 

 

Finished entertainment unit,

 

Reclaimed Wood Stenciling Project

By: comment

Stenciling is a new project challenge.  I’ll be giving more step by step descriptions in future projects.

First you need wood of course. I have been using some reclaimed pallet wood. You have to be a little more cautious about the pallet wood you get considering all the different products are shipped on it.

I usually clean it with a spray bottle filled with vinegar.  That should kill any typical bacteria.

I also lightly sand it to get the entire rough surface off, since you need relatively smooth surface to use your stencil on.

I have use 2×2 wood and nailed my planks onto it using finishing nails. It keeps your project fairly light but strong

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2015-05-04 15.48.53

I’ve used acrylic paint and a technique called dry brushing.

 

 

Reclaimed Wood Computer Desk

By: comment

For one of my first projects using the Kreg Jig, I needed a new computer desk.  I looked around and I found some cedar shelves that we had from an IKEA shelving unit.

So I thought this would be perfect for my first project.

 

I used my newly purchased Kreg Jig and made pocket holes into the wood on the two ends of the two pieces I selected for the top.

 

RECLAIMED PALLET WOOD – Pallet Shelf

By: comment

Hello all when i do more pallet projects like this again, I’ll post more pictures on the process of how i cut the pallet down to create these shelves.

 

 

From one reclaimed pallet you can create a shelf for many purposes.

 

Just add a board to the bottom and you open a world of possibilities.

Garden Shelf

 

 

 Or just turn it around and add a couple creative pieces and you can have a towel rack for the bathroom or any other room.

 

 

 

Pallet Planter

By: comment

For this project I had some scrap wood from another project that would make a perfect base. So I used its dimensions for the length and width.

I simply used 2×2’s for the rest of the frame. I kept the height around 12 inches that way there would be enough room for good root growth for whatever may be planted.

 

I had already cut up several pallets and measured the distance from the top rim of the planter to just along the bottom run, which was just over 12 inches.

Then I cut all the pallet boards to that length and used a nail gun and glue to attach each board around the outside of the frame.

The client that I was making this order for did not want the rough look of the pallet wood for their purpose. So they request it to be sanded.

I used an angle grinder and a sanding disc to make short work of what could have been many hours of sanding.

 

She was very happy with the final product.

 

DIY Planter Stand

By: comment

Inspired from Shanty-2-Chic.  This was one of my first projects and the instructions i got were great.  

Its a good start point to get familiar with your tools, cuts, and finishes.

www.shanty-2-chic.com Plant Stand Plans