The Blog

23
Jun

How to Make Benches

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

Benches are part of the garden furniture designed to offer people rest and relaxation. However, making a bench can be a daunting task if you do not have the right information and resources. If your are planning on making benches, the following steps can be of assistance:

Start with Bench Supports

This is the first step in making benches. Make sure that you have the right type of wood and appropriate wood cutting equipment. Do not forget the other basic tools like tape measure, hammer and screw driver. When it comes to making the bench supports, cut the wood in 2 by 2 dimensions. It is important to saw the wood on either side so as to give a more clean and smooth fit. Make sure you have enough pieces for the bench supports. The next thing to consider are the measurements for the feet, legs and cross pieces. Typically, for the feet area, you should use 2.5 x 35 cm pieces and for the legs use 4 x 40 cm pieces. These measurements are ideal for making a stable bench.

Screw the pair of legs

Using a screw driver, screwing the pair of legs on the cross pieces. You should screw them in such a way that they make a U shape. Use two screws to to attach the joints in a countersinking and upright position. In this case, countersinking involves embedding the screws in such a way that their heads are displayed in a flushing position with the timber’s surface. In order to successfully do this, you need a drill bit. First, make the pilot holes and fit an additional conical hole using a countersinking drill bit. Embed the screws using the screwdriver. Alternatively, you can achieve a neat countersinking position through brute force.

Attach the Feet

The above method can be used to connect the feet pieces to the cross pieces and the U shaped ends of the legs. It is obvious enough that the feet should be attached on the opposite sides of the pieces of legs and cross pieces. This helps in concealing the cross pieces. You can confirm this by using a set square to make sure they are at a right angle (90 degrees). In most cases, this confirmation is not crucial and those who are satisfied with your diligent work cannot bother themselves with the nitty gritty details. Remember to sink the cross pieces screws 20cm into the plank seat. However, be cautious when driving them because any error incurred can lead to the screws penetrating the seat.

Making the Diagonals

Ideally this is the last step in making benches. Making the diagonals starts by sawing the remaining pieces of wood into two 60cm long pieces. At the end of either piece, mark an angle of 45 degrees. This will help in cutting off triangle shaped piece. In order to this you need a combination square. Similarly, you can hold the sloped part of the handle. Drawing a straight line using the saw handle can also do the trick. Use the same process for the other side. Place the diagonals against the remaining pieces of wood and do the same marking.

In addition to this maintain safety measures when making benches. It is always a good idea to seek advise from carpenters and furniture professionals if you are having troubles.

For more information about daily deals of furniture products you can visit deal sites such as Groupon and Living Social.

06
May

How to Build a Picnic Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

A picnic table undoubtedly makes your deck, garden, patio or backyard more convivial. However, making this outdoor furniture is no easy task and most of the times people make costly mistakes. The following are steps for building a picnic table:

Cut the Pieces of Wood

Before you start building your picnic table, make sure you have the necessary cutting and measuring equipment. When it comes to cutting the wood pieces, it is always a good idea to start with the legs. Mark an angle of 20-22 degrees using a combination square on a cedar board ( usually measuring 2” by 8”). Use a sliding square to mark the other side of the table legs. After you have made the necessary markings, use a circular saw to measure and cut the table legs. Make sure the horizontal braces on the top side are 25-26” in length. This length is ideally large enough to accommodate five 2” by 5” boards attached together. The top braces can be created by measuring and cutting two 2” by 5” cedar boards. To achieve a more smooth and clean edge and prevent leg snagging, use a bevel cut. The table top should typically be made of five 2” by 5” boards. The total length of all the boards should be about 63 inches.

Layout and Assembly

Place the tabletop on the raised two table legs. Make sure that the tabletop is accompanied by a seat brace. Separate the legs 4” apart from the brace and ensure that the brace is in line with the tops. The seat brace should be ideally placed about 13-15 inches above the table legs. Make the necessary component tightenings using 3.5” x 0.25” bolts. Do the same procedure for the end of the table.

When it comes to assembling the tabletop, place the five boards in a face down position with a separation space of about 0.25-0.5 inches between them. Use a framing square to confirm the tabletop is square-shaped. Embed two braces on the top boards and attach them together with galvanized screws. The braces should be about 10” from the ends of the tabletop.

After doing the embedding and placements, the table is ready to be assembled. Prop the table ends in upright positions. Put the seat boards on top of the braces. Make sure that they are flushed outside and overhanging on the table ends. Use galvanized decking screws to secure the boards to the braces. For all the seats, leave out a space of 0.25-0.5 inches between the boards.

Finishing Up

After completing the assembling process, finish up by sanding the picnic table. You can use a grit sandpaper and palm sander for the sanding process. This process is very perky because the picnic table gets a smooth outlook. There are no rough patches. Use a paint brush and some spar varnishing to clean the table. However, the spar varnishing is absorbed into the wood and creating bubbles. Smoothen the surface using the brush to remove the bubbles.

Make sure you use protective gear when making a picnic table. In addition to this, you have the liberty of asking for assistance from your friends and family members

11
Apr

How Build to a Work Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

A work table is known as the centerpiece of any workshop. It is important and this is especially true when it comes with a saw table. Rather than spending a large sum of money investing in a work table, you can learn how to build a work table using the following basic steps.

Before you start off, it is ideal to note that apart from the pop up sawing table, using this plan also ensures you get some add-ons such as caster wheels and compressor hookup. It is also important to note some of the tools and materials needed. These include hinges, bolts, nail gun nails, plywood, brackets, measuring tape, safety glasses, meter saw, compressor, sander and casters among others. Make sure that you choose your materials wisely depending on the type of worktable you want to learn how to build. Once you have these materials, proceed to follow through with the following how to build a work table steps.

Step 1

At all times, regardless of the table been built, the top and bottom frame should be designed. In this case, they should be 2 by 4s and other posts of 4 by 4 should also be cut to the preferred height. These should be sanded to ensure they are smooth. In order to assemble the work table, the 4 by 4 posts should be attached to the inner corners of the tables’ top frame. The work table should be sturdy and in this case, you should install some 2 by 4 blocks. The remaining frame should be attached on top and this should be followed by plywood that is cut to the desired size.

Step 2

Next, you have to construct your pop up table. Use the following steps. The base should be designed from plywood and it should be attached to the inside back using hinges. From there, proceed to attach the brackets which come in handy for the purpose of delivering the desired support. The saw should then be bolted on top of the pop up table. The plywood should then be cut to size. To make square cuts, it is easy to start by making a plunge cut and proceeding to finish it using the jigsaw.

Step 3

Once you are done with the first two steps and the top is securely in place, the final step is looking into the finishing details to complete your worktable. In this case, this should include sanding, adding another pop-up table to the side and an air compressor for purposes of quick clean ups. In addition to this, it is also ideal to add some casters in order to ensure that the work table is mobile. This is important as it provides flexibility.

When these basic steps are followed to the letter, it should be considerably easy to complete the project within the shortest timeline. What is more, it gives you the opportunity to come up with your own work table which is essential for ensuring that your workshop becomes more functional.

16
Mar

How to Build a Table Tennis Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

Table tennis, also known as ping pong is a game activity that can be enjoyed by any group of people young or old. Whether you plan to have indoor practice sessions or participate in a competition, building a perfect table tennis is essential. Following these steps, you can build one on your own, without necessarily having to purchase the ready made ones.

Identify the Need

You can choose to build a table tennis for different reasons. The reasons should definitely predict the need for building one. Requirements for building a commercially used table tennis differs at length with that for home use only. Always bear in mind such factors before setting out to build one.

Establish Correct Measurement

One is advised to use a 2-by-2 measurement foot to establish a 9 feet long by 3 feet wide measurements. You can use the already purchased wood screw to attach the woods at the corner. You will be provided with a rectangular like shaped table that shall act like a base for the table tennis. You will have to smooth the ruff surface by sand paper.

Introduce the Tabletop

Bearing in mind the exact measurement established during the creation of base of table tennis, you are advised to create a 14-inch plywood so as to meet recommended heights associated with table tennis. The tabletop boards should be smooth to avoid incidences of players getting pricked by sharp objects when playing. By use of wood glue, secure tabletop and let it dry overnight.

Establish the Legs

You will be required to get correct measurements as per the standard table tennis tables. This involves creating 39 inches foot boards. They should fit perfectly on the already established tabletops through the use of wood glue.

Paint a Color of Your Choice

Through the use of enamel paints, introduce a color of your choice to the already created table. Make sure that you have an additional painter’s tape, so as to remove white lines likely to be incurred during the painting exercise. You can also use white enamel paint for creating sidelines plus any other required end lines. Remember to add an additional center line straight from the middle of the table.

Purchase recommended Table Tennis Net

Since it would be so difficult to make a net of your own, it is advisable to purchase one from recognized outlets within your vicinity. Always ensure that the purchased net meets the requirements of table tennis. The good thing to note however is the fact that there are quite a number of outlets selling this product. Consider purchasing only from recognized Outlets.

Introduce the Net to the Table

The net should be strategically placed at the center of the table as recommended. You can ask for additional help from table tennis experts just to ensure that it is placed at the exact position.

Just by following the simple steps, you create a perfect table tennis for your intended function at the end of the day. A good number of table tennis lovers have created some of their own too, so you should not be left out too.

26
Feb

How to Build a Kitchen Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

Kitchen tables are considered essential components in our kitchens. However, not many home owners are equipped with basic ideas on how to set this important dinning set up. This is why we will give detailed ideas on how to go about it in this article.

Identify The Need

Sometimes we need an extra piece of furniture where we can place excess items in our kitchen; this is where the kitchen table comes in. You will be surprised by just how much space you will have by removing some materials around your table sink.

Kitchen tables can also be ideal for placing already cooked meals, just before taking them to the dinning table. It gives you ample space to arrange all your dishes perfectly, before setting out for the dinning room.

In some cases too, your visitors can use your kitchen table to serve as their dinning table, especially when there is no extra room for additional guests in the dinning room. Kitchen tables come in handy to assist in such situations and eventualities.

Get all the Essential Materials needed

To achieve the best out of any type of work, we are always advised to get prepared prior to kicking off the work session. The same is applied when it comes to building a kitchen table. Make sure that you have all the materials, which include recommended the type of wood, nails, hammer, measurement material, screw driver and sand wood from scrabbling purposes. These items can be purchased at your nearby hardware outlet.

Establish The Correct Measurement

You will then be required to establish the exact measurements, considering the number of people who will be using it. This is to avoid instances where you build a table that does not serve your family as it ought to. You should also consider the cost per material. One good thing to note as far as cost factor is concerned is the fact that, these items come in different sizes, with different costs. Always work with those that best suit your budgets. You can also get these items second hand from family members or friends at a reasonable amount of fees.

Get A Kitchen Carpenter

The next step will be to identify the right person to do that job for you. Most of the time, home owners hire the services of a kitchen carpenter to carry out this duty. The cost is mostly determined by the nature of work the carpenter is expected to do. In case you want to build a kitchen table on your own, take the necessary precaution measures, including purchasing overall and gloves for your safety purposes. Also, make sure that, you have a designated time when the work shall be done. This is to minimize instances of the kids getting injured from the lying materials around the house. Do it during holidays or on weekdays when the kids are in school.

Just like any other essential table in homes, kitchen tables have crucial roles too. It is because of that reason that a number of home owners are building some for their own, and this is always more economical than purchasing a ready made one.

23
Jan

How to Build a Garage Cabinet

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

A garage cabinet is an installation used to keep various instruments, equipment and car accessories in an organized manner. It is easy to build one and it is an effective way for you to get rid of the clutter in your garage. There are various sizes and shapes that you can use when you are making a garage cabinet but this will be determined by your needs. Most people prefer to get one that is already made but this is not always the best choice because it may not meet your requirements and it does not take a lot of effort to plan and build one yourself.

Materials

Before you can build a garage cabinet, you need some basic materials including screw drivers, plywood, nails, water resistant paint and some door knobs. You can also get a sealant to fill gaps in the cabinets. It is important to protect yourself when building one therefore you need some gloves. Your eyes also need protection from dust particles.

Measuring

It is necessary to figure out dimensions before building a garage cabinet. Determine the depth, width and length of the garage cabinet you want. The depth you choose should be more than the depth of the things you intend to store in it. Make sure the width you choose can accommodate a majority of the items you store in your garage. You also need to determine if you will require shelves in the cabinet. Cut the plywood properly based on the dimensions you choose. Cut out the top, bottom, two sides and back of the garage cabinet. You also need a piece for the door. The door can either have one or two pieces.

Fixing the Pieces

Fix the pieces together using nails and screws. The door can be fixed to the rest of the cabinet using screws and hinges. Once the door has been attached, you can fix the door knob. To make it comfortable and easy to handle the cabinet, you can attach some thin wood strips to the garage cabinet.

Painting

A garage cabinet needs to be coated with some oil once all the parts are fixed together. This is important because plywood can be destroyed by moisture.

Safety

Safety is an important consideration when you are building a garage cabinet, you need to handle the tools carefully to avoid injuries. Take a lot of caution when cutting the plywood for the garage cabinet pieces. The nail gun can also be dangerous if it is not used carefully therefore you need to take a lot of caution when using it to make the garage cabinet.

Building a garage cabinet is easy if you plan properly and implement them properly. If you choose the design carefully, the cabinet will be able to store heavy items. Some people prefer to hire a professional to build a garage cabinet for them but this is not necessary if you like building projects because all you need is to get some good plans and the materials and tools required to make one.

19
Jan

New Trends for your Laundry Room Decor

By BBC Wood|Articles

How much attention do you provide for your laundry room? Are you tired of an old fashioned place that is constantly filled with dirty clothes? Well now it time to chance things up a bit. Try out some of the newest and revolutionary trends is laundry room decor, and change forever the appearance of your room. Whether you’re a simplest individual or you like innovative furnishings, a welcoming and clean room is what everybody likes.

Begin with the floor

Start from the basics and determine what kind of floor you want for your laundry room. Whether you want linoleum or tile, it’s really important to pick something for your taste. Bright colors are usually for more dynamic housewives while darker shades are for more conservative women. Because comfort and safety are critical you should opt for cork flooring because it’s durable and chic. Furthermore, upon unfortunate falling you won’t hurt yourself too much.

Laundry room lightening

Nobody likes a plain and simple laundry room, filled with piles of clothes. Opt for large fluorescent lights because you have to see properly the stains from your clothes. Oil stains are almost invisible and that’s why you need proper light. Spot lights are also recommended for fancier rooms because they make the place stylish and modern. Enjoy the place, make it as organized as possible and use proper lights to see even the smallest spots.

Laundry room colorings

Entering a simple white laundry room every day can become really boring. If you’re tired of feeling like in jail in your own house, decide to paint your laundry room in several colors to complete the place. New trends are focused on wall sticks that will help bring a bit of joy to the room. In addition, bold colors will make other appliances that are more colored pop up. That’s really modern-day and it will also make you feel good and relaxed when you’re doing the laundry.

Get organized in style

If you want to make your laundry room more colorful without painting or changing the floor, you can always use your own clothes. Make sure you purchase colorful towels, and when you fold them put them on the shelf mixing up the colors. Don’t mix too much because a simple alternation of red with green for example it enough. Furthermore, nearby place a red clothe basket and make sure to have a small colorful wall stick nearby. That’s it. Without doing anything you’ll actually recreate a soothing laundry space.

Laundry room perfume

If you hate the smell of dirty clothes from your laundry room, or just don’t like how your detergents scent, make sure your purchase an air-spray. On the market the variety is endless; starting from the simplest models to automatic, a room spray is elementary because it will make the setting seem fresh and invigorating.

All in all, decide to make your laundry room inviting and less stressful. Make it stylish and thus, you might end up enjoying doing the laundry.

18
Dec

How to Build a Dining Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

A table that has been built with elegance is believed to be the centerpiece if any given dining room. It does not have to be expensive especially if you have the right materials and know how. Here are simple guidelines of how to build a dining table.

First Step: Preparation

You need to make sure that you have made all the necessary preparations prior to building the dining table. Here are the preparations you need to have at hand.

  • Make sure you have purchased the required wooden boards that have the correct measurements that fit your needs best. Each piece should be cut into its correct measurements using a table a saw.
  • Take two pieces having 30 inches and screw them together and ensure that they line up well with even edges. Make a total of four pairs since the dining table will have four legs. Keep in mind that the shape created should be rectangular and not square.
  • Take measurements from the bottom of 2 legs upwards with an allowance of three inches. Each of the table legs should have 597/8 inch screwed on them.
  • Make measurements of 31/4 inches up from the other 2 remaining table legs. Just like you did for the other 2 legs, screw 31 inch on each leg.
  • At the center of the long table edges, screw the main piece using about 331/2 inch.
  • Ensure that each edge of the board is well screwed in order to come up with short edges of your dining table. After completion, it is time to fix them to the long table edges.

Second Step: Designing

Once, you have accomplished the above preparations up to the last instruction, it is time to design your dining table. Here are the steps to follow.

  • Center the pieces you have made over the table tops and screw each on the table legs making sure you align them on the rails of the table frame.
  • The screw holes left can be filled using wood filler then left for some minutes to dry. As this takes place, it is important to sand the whole dining table.
  • Using a paint brush, cover the whole table with stain at the same time ensuring that you have removed the excess paint. Depending on your individual preference, if you want a deeper color coating, you can apply another coat. However, if this is not the case, let the lighter coating dry up.
  • Once the coating has dried off, you can go ahead and spray it with lacquer or vanish in order to make it look shiny
  • After doing the above successfully, let the table dry, then later on sand with sandpaper using light motions. To get a good finish, to this 2-3 times. You will have a complete dining table ready to amaze everyone around.

In conclusion, it is important to ensure that your dining table is protected from any stains. In addition, while cleaning it, do not use water but use wood finish which will make it last longer.

09
Nov

How to Build a Corner Cabinet

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

Corner spaces are wasted in several homes and if you are looking for ways to reclaim them, one of the most effective ways of doing this is by including getting a corner cabinet. This will allow you to make use of the space and get additional storage. A corner cabinet will require fewer materials compared to other projects and in some cases it is possible to get in-built ones to get a finished look and increase the value of your house.

Designing

To build a corner cabinet, you need to determine the dimensions that will work best for the space available. It is better to have a cabinet that is slightly squared at the back to provide space for pipes and cords.

Tools and Supplies

When building a corner cabinet, there are various tools and supplies that you need to use. You may require additional tools based on the size of the cabinet you want to build. Some of the tools that you need to have include handsaw, table saw, electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, bar clamps, wood, stud finder, safety goggles, wood glue, wood filler, sandpaper, wood screws, sealer and stain. It is better to get a cabinet that fits nicely in the corners therefore you need to check all the measurements carefully before you cut the wood.

Measuring

Once you have the right dimensions, you need to measure and cut the wood. The dimensions you select will determine how much wood you need. You can transfer measurements from a piece of paper to the wood you intend to use to make the cabinet. One of the best options to use is birch plywood. After transferring the measurements you can cut out pieces with circular saws. The pieces required for a corner cabinet include two side pieces, bottom pieces, narrow back and top. You also need to cut out some shelves for the cabinet.

Assembling Cabinets

To assemble the pieces, you need to work on a large and level surface. Apply some wood glue on the joints and then secure them with a nail gun. Once the corner cabinet is complete, it will be very heavy therefore you strengthen the joints using screws. When working with a nail gun, you need to work with a lot of caution therefore you should wear some safety glasses. This tool is very powerful and can drive nails through your foot or hand.

Finishing

To attach trim molding on the cabinet, you need to use finish nails to provide a finished look. You should also prime and paint the cabinet and shelves. To make your corner cabinet look more interesting, you can use antiquing techniques.

There are various sites on the internet that offer plans you can use to build corner cabinets. Some of the sites offer the plans for free while others require you to pay a certain fee. The plans offered allow you to choose different styles for the cabinets therefore you can select something unique to suit the design in your home.

03
Oct

How to Build a Coffee Table

By BBC Wood|Tips & Techniques

By tradition, a coffee table is colorful and it’s used to project the style and taste of individuals inhabiting any home. These come in different styles and designs and more often than not, they tend to be highly priced. You can lower the costs by building your own using the following basic steps.

Step 1

For starters, you have to know what makes up any table. This is important as it helps you get a clearer picture on how to build a coffee table. In this regard, it should be compromised of 3 parts which include apron/stringers, legs and top.

Step 2

You have to start working on the top. To start you off, work with top measuring .19 cm plywood and it should be milled first. This is important for the simple reason that doing so gets rid of any defects and it also ensures that any uneven surfaces are flattened for a smoother look. In this case, select one side of the side that is going to have the veneer finish of your choice. It can either be cherry, pine or mahogany.

The plywood should be cut into the desired shape and size. In most cases, these tend to be rectangular. Since the edges of plywood tend to be rough, add banding or some edging using self adhesive. At all times, the edging is wider compared to the plywood. Proceed to have the edging trimmed through use of a utility or edge.

Step 3

Now it is time to build the apron and the size should be cut as desired. In this case, consider the following. The dimensions should be 1 by 4 inch or 1 by 6 inch stock. The stock should be cut to lengths of 3 inches less than that of the table top. This should be done with the use of a miter saw and at 450. The apron pieces should then be assembled and beveled at 450 using glue and corner clamps. You also have to secure the same with two inch brad nails.

Step 4

Pieces of wood should be used to screw the inside of complete apron. Make sure that two are screwed on each side of the cleat to ease the process of attaching the top.

Step 5

The legs should be designed using your preferred materials and in this case, the most common one is untreated pine. They should be cut to match the height of the coffee table exclusive of the tops thickness.

Step 6

The legs should then be attached to the aprons corner and the best way to secure them is using some deck screws. Holes should be pre-drilled and the screws counter sank to ensure they don’t split the end of the designed apron. These should be filled with wood putty for the purpose of hiding screw heads.

Step 7

The coffee table should be turned upside down and the apron put into place. Make sure that it is centered. Proceed to attach the legs and apron to your top using cleat screws. Later on, you can sand surfaces to wipe away the dust through use of lint free fabric.

Step 8

This is the final step and it involves applying the best wood wax for the purpose of keeping your surfaces well protected.

By following the basic steps highlighted above on how to build a coffee table, it should be considerably easy for you to design a functional coffee table that meets your needs.

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