Multi -purpose Side Table

Materials and Tools Needed

* V-shaped log (I used Boxelder)

* 1"x12"x24" board for tabletop (I used Poplar)

* (9) 308 bullet casings (Or any spent casings of your choice)

* Walnut Oil

* Tape measure

* Joiners mallet

* level

* Drill and drill bit (bit size depends on your bullet casing size)

* 1" chisel

* Scroll saw

* Painters tape

* Paint marker

Well, I'd like to tell everyone that this table was well thought out from the beginning of my project. However, that just isn't true. This became a table after I found a piece of Boxelder in the wood pile and a scrap piece of Poplar and set them both aside. I knew I wanted to make something out of them, I just didn't know what exactly at the time. I'm 14 years old and have only been woodworking for a short time. My experience and tool resources are limited but I still like to figure out ways to build useful projects with what I have. This project is something that anyone can build and I hope you like it.

I went with the way that the Boxelder was when I found it. It sat level and was sturdy so I went with it. I chiseled a flat edge on the shorter tine for my tabletop to sit on. You could also cut the smaller tine flat across. Either way will work fine.

Next, you'll need to roughly trace out where you will be inserting your table into the longer tine. To do this, put your tabletop on the floor. Lay your log upside down with th the longer tine about halfway on the boards edge. Trace out and then cut with your scroll saw. Check for fit up and make any necessary adjustments. You will want a fairly tight fit. I would recommend using as fine of a scroll saw blade as possible for the thickness of the your wood top. This will reduce tear out.

Using your level, make the tabletop sit flat and level. Once level, you will need to mark where your bullet casing ( dowels ) holes will be. I marked two holes for the smaller tine, two for the underside of the table on the taller tine, and five additional holes to display casings around the top. Match up a drill bit to your size casing. You will want a bit that matches very close to the casing size because you'll want a very tight fit. These are what holds your table together. Now, using the masking tape, tape the drill bit to your desired depth for your holes. I drilled about a 1/2" into the log but you can go more or less depending on your desired reveal of the casings. You will however want to make sure your bullet casings are flush on top of the table. For these holes I drilled about 2" deep total into the poplar and then into the log. After drilling all your holes, use the joiners mallet and tap all your casings into place. Start with the casings on the longer tine under the tabletop. Once the table is sitting on these casings you can tap the two in on the smaller tine. Make sure you get these flush. Now you can finish off the ones around the tabletop on the taller tine.

The last step is to treat your tabletop with Walnut oil. Pour a small amount on your table and work in with a cloth. Use enough to treat the entire board. Wipe off any excess and your side table is ready to use.