Artist Pedestal I Made at TechShop

What you need

Table Saw (www.TechShop.ws)
Chop Saw (www.TechShop.ws)
MDF, 5 pieces, 4 sides and top
Clamp
Scrap wood (just a small piece)
Brad Nailer with Nails (www.TechShop.ws)
Punch (if need be)
Hammer (if need be)
Wood glue
Wood filler
Putty knife
Router with Flush trim bit (www.TechShop.ws)
Random orbital sander (www.TechShop.ws)
Sand paper for the orbital sander
Paint
Paint brush


Today I will show you the way that I make quick pedestals. First you will need to know your size pedestal that you are going to make. The size that I’m making is 8 x 24 x 8, and I use MDF, which is medium-density fiberboard. The MDF will give you are more uniform surface then ply-wood.

I rip down the MDF to 9 inches on the table saw, your pieces and be longer than 24 inches; we will take care of this on the chop saw. Moving over to the chop saw measure you first 8 inch piece to 24 inches and make a make with a scrap piece of wood and a clamp. When you use this stop block to have all your boards the same size you have to be sure to hold the piece of wood on the side of the stop block. If you do not hold the board on the same side that you have your stop block, you are more likely to have kick back. Cut all of your board to length.

Rip down the last piece of MDF for the top of the pedestal, For the top of the pedestal you want the board to be 1/8 lager on all four sides. Start at the table saw move the fance over to 9 1/4 and rip down the MDF. Measures out the 9 1/4, make your last cut on the chop saw. 

Setting up the board I use the wrap method. I don’t like to sandwich any of the board. If you can set up the boards on a dry fit. To start the glue up, you want two of the side apply glue to the end of one of the board. Lay the board that has the glue on the table if the glue side flush with the side of the table and hold the other side vertical and nail. Repeat with the other two sides, now you will have two L shapes. Apply glue to the two outside edges of the L shape and nail together. You are going to have a base of the pedestal.

Rip down the last piece of MDF to an 1/8 lager on all four sides. Start at the table saw move the france over to 9 1/4 and rip down the MDF. measures out the the 9 1/4, make your last cut on the chop saw. Apply glue to the top of the MDF and set the top piece on, making sure the all four sides are covered. Using the nail gun to nail the top in place

After you have nail on the top, make sure that all the nails are not sticking out the MDF. If you need to, take a punch and hammer and sink them.

 With your putty knife and wood filler, fill all the nail holes. Put a little putty on the knife and spreading it in to the hole. Next, scrap off the extra wood filler, let dry and sand with the random orbital sander. With MDF you can use 150 grit sandpaper.

Using a router with flush trim bit you are going to make the top flush with the base of the pedestal. When you pick the router bit make sure that the bit correct. You want a flush cutting bit with bearing on the bottom of the bit. This will run against the base and cut the top flush. 

Next all you have to do is paint your pedestal to your desire color and you are pedestal is done.